Lauren
“Metis offered access to senior staff and technical experts to learn from and offered an opportunity to work on a range of different projects. ”
What triggered your interest in engineering / environmental consultancy?
I found it very difficult to choose a career path. I chose to do a geography degree to keep my options open. I was initially interested in environmental consultancy as it is a varied industry with a wide spectrum of projects and roles. This gave me a chance to work on a range of projects to establish where my skills were and which I most enjoyed.
What made you want to join Metis?
I wanted to work for a small company, this was due to my experience of working for a small company prior to joining Metis. Metis offered access to senior staff and technical experts to learn from and offered an opportunity to work on a range of different projects. There was also a great atmosphere in the office when I went for my interview, and everyone seemed friendly and approachable.
What type of work have you been involved in since joining Metis?
I have been involved in a variety of different projects since joining Metis.
I initially joined the water team where I worked on several economic appraisal and flood alleviation projects as well as local flood risk strategies, submission of funding bids and secondment into Hounslow Council as the LLFA.
I was also responsible for managing the Metis, Quality Management System (QMS) and health and safety at Metis.
I then moved to the Highways team. I took on a PMO and Project Management role in a number of Local Authorities and supported with the delivery of several highway technical specification projects.
Through the process of working across different teams, I have been able to identify where my skills lie and discover what I most enjoy.
What do you enjoy about the work environment at Metis and how does it differ from previous experiences?
A great thing about Metis, is that you can work on a variety of different projects which means that every month is different. Metis offers the opportunity to take ownership of your professional development and steer towards projects or practices that you enjoy. I decided to take a different path to others at Metis, deciding to work towards a chartership with the Association for Project Management (APM). There are also lots of opportunities to socialise at Metis at regular social events.
What has been your most rewarding project to work on so far?
In the role of the Southwark Professional Services Contract Framework Manager, I was responsible for overseeing a series of projects procured through the professional services contract, tracking finances, holding monthly meetings, reporting key issues to the project board, managing key performance indicators (KPIs) and delivering social value on the contract.
This project was the most rewarding as it offered the opportunity to bring innovation into Southwark Council and learn about new technologies and practices.
It also gave me the opportunity to deliver a variety of impacting social value events. This included a series of visits to local Southwark Schools to deliver presentations and workshops which introduced students to engineering and apprenticeship opportunities as well as teaching them interview skills to support them in their future careers.
What are your ambitions for professional development?
I am a member of the Association for Project Managers (APM), and I am currently working towards chartership. I hope to specialise in project management and contracts in the future.
What do you like doing outside of work?
I love to travel and the outdoors. I also enjoy going to music events to see my favourite artists and sports such as cycling and netball.
What message would you pass on to students thinking about pursuing a career in engineering / environmental consultancy?
I would recommend that anyone who has an interest in the environment, engineering, or project management to consider a role at Metis. There are a variety of roles within the industry which are not restricted to engineering alone. Me and several other people working at Metis do not have engineering degrees, so I do not see this as a barrier to a career in engineering. I would also recommend working on a variety of projects in your early career to find out what you enjoy and what you are best at.
