Muminah Farooq

Muminah graduated with a BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering degree in 2020. Since then, she has landed a role working as a Methods Engineer for the Nuclear Hinkley Point C project – Europe’s largest energy project.  

Why did you choose to study this course?

I think many people would answer this question by speaking about their love for mathematics. Unfortunately, I never did enjoy maths as a subject throughout school. However, I have an immense passion for the built environment, particularly because of the many benefits it brings to people and communities. Knowing very little about the sector, I applied for the course and 4 years later, I am now heading down the route of becoming a successful engineer!

Why did you choose BCU?

I chose BCU, as they provided a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering course which had a wide range of modules and on-site opportunity. At the time, there wasn't much choice in studying a civil engineering degree at other universities. Also, the location of BCU attracted me, it was at the heart of the city with so much to do and explore!

What did you enjoy most about studying your course at BCU?

I particularly enjoyed studying the BIM (Building Information Model) module, it has aided me in my current role as a Methods engineer as I am confident using Navisworks. This module was set up by Dr. Mohammed Mayouf in a very realistic manner as it allowed students from across the built environment courses to come together and share roles and responsibilities as they would on a real project.  Modules lead by Panagiotis Patlakas allowed me to understand the in-depth mathematical sequence in how calculations are performed to allow a building to be stable. These two modules were my favourite and I now use what was taught in my job role. Overall, the facilities and staff were extremely helpful throughout the course.

What is your current job role?

My current Job role is working as a Methods Engineer for Nuclear Island on the Nuclear Hinkley Point C project. I am currently working on the HQ building which will be the radioactive waste building. The job role consists of eliminating and detecting problems found within models and drawings. This then leads to producing ‘request for information’ (RFI’s) and ‘field change requests’ (FCR’s) in conjunction with the design team and the client NNB. I also meet with clients, planners, the delivery team, designers and stakeholders to ensure that the handover procedure is smooth, with no issues to the construction team on site.

How has your degree helped you to secure and undertake this role?

My degree has massively helped me with my job role. Many of the modules on my course provided me with the knowledge I needed for industry. I also learnt about the many roles in civil engineering and the importance of working alongside others in the field, to ensure a project goes smoothly. University as a whole really brings out industry skills, as you are always ready to grasp new knowledge and information.

One of the main skills I learned from my degree is to be confident with whatever you bring to the table. Also, having a positive attitude always goes a long way.  

What do you enjoy about this role?

I am based specifically in construction engineering and being actively involved in the construction stage is the biggest highlight for me. As my specific job role is 16 weeks ahead of construction, this makes it even more enjoyable as I can go out on the construction site and see all the hard work being done by the preparation team and how it is delivered when it comes to the construction phase.

What has been your greatest achievement since graduating from BCU?

My greatest achievement since graduating has been securing a job so quickly; to top it off also securing it on Europe’s largest energy project. Although there are obstacles along the way, I don't give up and I think I’m on track to pursue a career in civil engineering.

What advice would you give to students who are heading into their first roles?

I would always advise anyone heading into their first role to be prepared. It will be intense at the start, the best solution to this would be to remain positive, keep yourself motivated and always ask questions. Also, keep working hard (it does not stop at your degree!) and enable yourself to always be up for learning. Overall, enjoy the process.