23 June 2020

This International Women in Engineering Day, we hear from Tolu Egberongbe to get an insight into working in the engineering industry.

A career in construction was not always the plan for me. However, when studying at college, I realised that I had a skill in 3D modelling and design. I began to explore 3D modelling career opportunities which led me into a career in construction. Even though had the motivation and passion for 3D modelling, it is extremely difficult to find a direct route into it as it is such a specialist role.

Ove Arup said “Engineering is not a science. Science studies particular events to find general laws. Engineering design makes use of the laws to solve particular practical problems. In this it is more closely related to art and craft” - this quote perfectly explains my eagerness towards engineering design. To me it was not just about producing things that people could see or use. It was more about understanding and improving the functionality of existing products.

Like Steve Jobs once said “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” Impatiently, my hunger for more knowledge in design and how engineers impact the world grew. To help me, I searched for apprenticeships within construction, as the demand for 3D modellers in this sector is at an all-time high. However, due to it being such a specialist skill, the only way to become a modeller in construction was through the route of being a civil engineer with a digital solutions degree apprenticeship. To find an apprenticeship such as this was very difficult, as not all companies offer civil engineering with digital solutions.

As my search deepened, I found that construction not only had high demand for 3D modelling but high demand for engineering in general. This is why I broadened my search to all engineering jobs - to make my dream of becoming a CAD specialist a reality.

My passion for engineering began at home; whenever my dad had anything to fix, I always assisted him. I became a person who was able to learn hands-on, and the constant exposure to fixing things myself rather than having others fix them for me became my motivation to become an engineer. Without this, I would not have been able to explore the different careers available and would have gone down a more traditional path. Engineering allows me to demonstrate the creativity and innovation that I wish to show everyone.

Find out more about women in construction and engineering jobs or use our career explorer to find the perfect construction role for you.

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