Zainab Adigun

I see aspects of myself in each of these personality types. None of them defines me completely, but together they paint a picture that feels accurate:

• I’m structured enough to manage budgets and logistics.
• I’m empathetic enough to lead outreach and community‑focused work.
• I’m creative enough to bring fresh ideas to events and communications.
• I’m supportive enough to help teams work smoothly and inclusively.

These types don’t just describe me - they explain why I’m drawn to the work I do and why it feels meaningful and natural. 

In my role, I work across structural design, project management, and event coordination, which gives me a balance of technical, organisational, and community‑focused responsibilities. I support the structural design process by helping develop calculations, reviewing drawings, and coordinating information between engineers and contractors to ensure safe, compliant, and well‑integrated solutions. Alongside this, I manage project schedules, resources, risks, and cost control, ensuring that work is delivered efficiently, on time, and within budget. I also lead STEM outreach and charity initiatives, planning events, managing volunteers, and building partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for young people. What I enjoy most about my job is the variety — moving between technical problem‑solving, structured project coordination, and impactful community engagement. I’m motivated by seeing real outcomes: well‑delivered projects, smooth collaboration, and young people feeling inspired and included in STEM.

My route into my current role has been shaped by a mix of curiosity, hands‑on experience, and a strong desire to make a positive impact. I’ve always been drawn to understanding how things work, which naturally led me toward STEM. Over time, I built experience through roles that strengthened my organisational, communication, and leadership skills before moving into structural design and project management. As I became more involved in engineering projects, I discovered how much I enjoyed combining technical problem‑solving with coordinating teams, managing resources, and ensuring projects run smoothly. Alongside this, I developed a passion for STEM outreach and community engagement. Working with young people - especially those who don’t often see themselves represented in engineering - inspired me to help create opportunities and make STEM more accessible. I was motivated by mentors, teachers, and role models who encouraged my curiosity, but also by the realisation that representation matters. Seeing the difference that inclusive outreach can make has become one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. 

I enjoy being a documentary contributor where I travel around the world exploring old structures.

A typical day for me is a mix of structural design tasks, project management, and team coordination. I usually start by checking emails, responding to queries, and updating my task list so I know exactly what needs attention. Much of my morning is spent reviewing drawings, supporting structural calculations, and coordinating technical information between engineers, architects, and contractors to make sure the design is accurate and progressing smoothly. As the day goes on, I shift into project management activities. This includes updating cost trackers, processing invoices, scheduling resources, and preparing reports for the wider team. I also attend coordination meetings where we discuss progress, risks, and next steps. Throughout the day, I’m regularly answering questions, solving small issues as they arise, and keeping communication flowing between everyone involved. Some days also include planning for STEM outreach or charity events - organising volunteers, preparing materials, or speaking with schools and sponsors. These tasks connect my technical work with something that has real community impact. Overall, the bigger picture of my work is to help deliver safe, well‑designed structures, keep projects on time and within budget, and ensure that teams and partners stay aligned. Every task, even something as simple as replying to emails, contributes to the smooth running of the project and the positive outcomes we aim to achieve. 

A Levels - Maths, Physics and Computing BEng - Civil Engineering with Placement Year MSc - Structural Engineering (Full Women in Engineering Scholarship).