Case studies: Mechanical engineer: James Fidgett

James is a mechanical engineer with Brinson Staniland Partnership (BSP), a firm of consulting mechanical and electrical engineers.

All of my studying has been part time while working. Having completed a Higher National Certificate, BSP allowed me to study for a BEng (Honours) degree in Building Services Engineering, which I finished in 2010. I may go on to study for a Masters in the future.

My work is varied and I may be carrying out work on different projects within the same day. For example, I might carry out a site inspection of mechanical and electrical systems at a school refurbishment I designed, then calculate some heat loss and gains for a library refurbishment and then continue a feasibility study for three new hospital wards.

Since I started at my first mechanical and electrical (M&E) firm following A-levels, I have gradually gained more responsibility as my knowledge and experience grew. At first I work-shadowed and assisted a senior engineer and started to do my own calculations and Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings. I was given more responsibility as the firm gained confidence in my ability.

I now lead projects from inception through to completion for a variety of building sectors including work on hospitals, offices, warehouses, private and social housing. I would like to become a chartered engineer and eventually run an M&E consulting engineering practice.

My job requires many skills and keeps me on my toes. You need to be able to manage your time effectively between projects, be able to think on your feet and always consider multiple solutions for every challenge.

Construction standards and regulations are constantly tightening to ensure compliance to environmental legislation and pressure to reduce harmful emissions. I enjoy the challenge of having to design, conform and prove compliance with ever-changing benchmarks.

I enjoy seeing a job through from start to finish. It's good to see and touch the installed systems that you proposed, calculated and designed. I also enjoy seeing the difference in energy performance before and after a refurbishment.

M&E engineering is surprisingly sociable as you get to meet many different people working in different sectors such as business, healthcare and education.

While study is important, experience is crucial to getting on in the industry. I was fortunate to be able to work and study at the same time but I am aware it can be difficult for graduates having to jump into the industry with little or no experience. I have seen some graduates get jobs through unpaid work experience leading on to full-time paid employment.