Georgina Andrew

I think the personality types match me very well, and with the work I do. As a Civil Engineer, you need to have an eye for detail when preparing designs and be able to work proactively both on your own and within a team. In my current role, I mentor and lead several junior members of staff, so I often need to explain things well so they can complete design tasks. As an Engineer, you need to be ready to work with a range of disciplines and people, so the ‘coach’ personality type definitely matches well with what is required within my role.

I am a Civil Engineer with a technical specialism in bridge engineering. I lead the design of several structures refurbishment projects, maintaining vital existing bridges on the trunk road network in Scotland. My role ensures that our existing infrastructure remains resilient, safe and operational for the future. What I enjoy most about my work is the positive impact you can have on communities and knowing that my work has a long-lasting legacy on the structures that create vital links on Scotland’s busiest roads.

I was initially interested in a STEM career through my studies in high school. I studied engineering science, which gave me a broad range of exposure to different engineering disciplines, and it was during that time that I discovered civil and structural engineering. I then gained an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, and for the two final years of high school, I was sponsored by Balfour Beatty. During that period, I was able to go on work experience to a large new road dualling construction project in my local area and loved getting some hands-on experience of what 'being a civil engineer' was like. After I finished high school, I started working at Amey as a Civil Engineering Degree Apprentice and also studying at the University of Aberdeen. After those four years, I graduated with a BEng (Hons) degree in Civil Engineering. I then transitioned through several roles within the structures team at Amey, including Graduate Engineer, Assistant Engineer and into my current role of Structural Engineer. During that time, I also completed my Institution of Civil Engineers Engineering Technician and Incorporated Engineer professional qualifications. My role focuses on ensuring existing bridges on the trunk road network across Scotland are safe for use and can be relied upon by society every day.

Aside from civil engineering, I have been a competitive highland dancer for nearly 20 years. I have been fortunate enough to travel across the UK, Europe and the USA, competing and performing. I love dancing as it allows me to switch off from work and focus on self-improvement.

A typical day in the life of me at work begins around 7.30 am. I start by reviewing emails and creating a to-do list for the day. In the morning, I like to make a start on big tasks, like bridge assessment calculations or reviewing drawings. Around 12 noon, I have lunch and like to take a break from my screen for a while by getting outdoors when I can! In the afternoon, is usually when I have some meetings discussing project progress and sharing ideas with colleagues in my team. At the end of each day, I like to review my to-do list and mark any tasks as complete. My work day then finishes at around 4 pm. The main outcomes we try to achieve on projects are ensuring that the bridges we are trusted to maintain by the Client are in a good and safe working condition, that they are investigated, assessed, and any repairs are designed in a sustainable way. 

Scottish National 5 and Higher exams at high school. BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering Graduate Apprenticeship Degree at University of Aberdeen. Institution of Civil Engineers Engineering Technician Professional Qualification. Institution of Civil Engineers Incorporated Engineer Professional Qualification. Association of Apprentices and Chartered Institute for Further Education Post-Apprenticeship Recognition Scheme.