Case studies: Communications engineer: Jenny

Jenny graduated with an MEng degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the University of Glasgow and then did a PhD in Optoelectronics also at the University of Glasgow. She is currently working as a communications engineer at Atkins Global.

At the start of the final year of my PhD I went to several graduate recruitment events in Glasgow to see what engineering companies were out there and to find out what they could offer me. This is where I was made aware of Atkins, a large engineering and design consultancy, and the fact that they worked within the communications sector. I researched the company online, liked what I saw and filled in the online application form. After a telephone interview, an assessment centre and a further interview, I was offered a place on the Atkins graduate development programme.

My undergraduate degree focused a great deal on communications, and my PhD research in optical amplifiers, while very specialized, gave me a good understanding of the communications industry, sot the work I did for both my degrees was very relevant for securing the job.

There is no ‘typical’ working day in consultancy; it is entirely dependent on the current projects and clients. In one week I could spend two days on site surveying pit and duct systems wearing my hard hat and PPE, two days in the office designing a fibre network infrastructure, and one day meeting the client to ensure that we’re meeting their requirements.

From day one at Atkins I was treated as part of the team and I fell into the position of lead consultant on my first project. Since then, I’ve worked as a researcher and in a lead design position. The roles vary greatly depending on the project and the team working on it. I enjoy the technical aspect of the job and am also interested in project management and, ideally, I shall be able to combine these as I progress in my career. I’m working towards chartered status with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the company is fully supportive.

What I enjoy most about my role is the variety and the challenge the job offers. I enjoy meeting new clients and helping to find solutions to their needs. Working on site is always a welcome change from the office environment and gives good perspective on the reality of installing our designs. The most challenging part of the job is getting an understanding of the vast range of available technologies and their applications so that we can use them in our work for different clients.

The communications sector is constantly evolving communications is found everywhere, so we regularly have to coordinate our work with engineers from all environments: mechanical, electrical, environmental, water, highways and transport, security, as well as space planners, architects and interior designers. If you want to work in the sector, it’s important that you have an interest in communications technology and then researching into the latest technical capabilities and standards would give a good foundation to a career in communications.