Based at our Warwick office, Marina joined JNP Group in 2021 as a Structural Engineer.
When did you first become aware of the possibility of a career in engineering?
Both of my parents come from a civil engineering background, so I have always been aware of the career and the day-to-day life of an engineer. In school, maths and physics were my favourite subjects, and after multiple weeks of work experience at various industries I decided that engineering was my favourite. I used to love watching ‘Megastructures’ and other engineering documentaries and felt inspired by the huge logistical effort involved in delivering large engineering projects. I completed my master’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Nottingham, during which I confirmed that I enjoyed engineering and wanted to pursue it as a career.
What inspires you about Engineering?
I find it rewarding to produce a solution to solve an engineering problem, or to see one of my projects be completed. Engineering is a lot more than just maths and calculations – it involves a lot of creativity and teamwork too. I really enjoy meeting new people and building relationships with clients and contractors.
What first attracted you to JNP Group?
On paper, JNP Group had everything I was looking for: a large variety of interesting current projects, the perfect company size with important values, and close to home with a great office and team.
Once I joined the team, I knew I had made the right decision. JNP Group gives me the opportunity to take a hands-on role in all the projects I deliver. I directly liaise with clients and contractors and assist with invoicing matters as well as working on the design itself. I frequently go to site and have a lot of variety in my work day-to-day. The friendly team is made up of talented engineers who are all a pleasure to work with.
What advice do you have for someone interested in engineering?
Since graduating university, I have never worked on the same thing twice. Every project is different, and the variety means that you are constantly learning and challenging yourself. There are some days that are more challenging than others, but these days are all the more rewarding. If you are a logical and creative person who loves to solve problems, then engineering is the perfect career. I look forward to seeing where my career in engineering takes me in the years to come.
What is your favourite structure and why?
It is hard to name just one – but the Hunslet Moor footbridge is one of my favourites. It is a 103m long deck, supported by a single reinforced concrete A-frame and 14 steel cables. It is significant to me because we recreated it at a smaller scale in a team of 20 students as part of a construction module at university.
Prior to construction, we spent time preparing method statements and risk assessments for the project, and ordered the steel, concrete and formwork we would need. We only had 5 days to construct the footbridge, which involved excavating foundations, setting up formwork for the A-frame, tying the reinforcement cages and pouring the concrete. It was vital to stick to the project schedule to ensure that we would receive the concrete delivery on time. The project was a huge success, and it was one of my favourite university modules. As a design engineer, it was invaluable to me to understand what real construction is like. I now keep buildability in mind whenever producing designs to ensure that projects are feasible and easy to construct.