In April 2021 I joined Keystone Lintels as a Technical Engineer where I specify and design lintels on a daily basis. My job is very customer orientated and I am in constant contact with customers throughout the day. My role involves being able to identify and specify lintels from plans sent in by customers, merchants, engineers and architects. I would have often have to contact any one of the before stated to confirm details and help persuade them to order with Keystone so I need to sell the product in the best way I can.

I joined Storm when I finished my degree, as after I had had my placement year as a site engineer I was unsure that this was the route I was looking to persue along with the recent pandemic. I had finished university on a Friday and the opportunity to work in storm arose so within the week employment commenced. I joined storm with the intention of taking some time to reflect on my future and evaluating what directions I could go while in a full time job. During my time with storm I felt I was particularly efficient in working as part of a team in a busy environment. I had responsibility for various aspects of preparing orders for collection and delivery. Furthermore, I had to balance my time efficiently and effectively as I had to complete specific tasks in a specific timeframe. I am reliable and am a good time keeper, with no sick leave during my employment. I knew when I joined storm my time would be limited and this was a means to enable me to have an income while I decided on my future. During my time in storm I have been researching various areas of work and communicating with people in different careers in which I decided I would like to enter building control.

When I joined Heron Bros in June 2019, I was shadowing the main engineer at the Lynas project in Coleraine. I had the opportunity to observe and understand the basic techniques, required to be an engineer, this involved setting up the Leica Robotic station. Over time I became more fluent in my use of the station which allowed me to develop skills to enable me to work independently. Examples include setting out levels and give markings for tasks like reduced digs. During my time at HBL I had first-hand experience through all the stages of a building project being constructed from reduced dig to foundations to steel erection, to name a few. Furthermore, as part of my time at HBL I was tasked to complete many computer orientated tasks. I completed records of daily tasks completed, which was communicated electronically to HBL headquarters. This was important in the sense that it gave headquarters a daily update on all the work that was being completed. In order to complete this I had to organise my daily schedule to ensure that I had enough time to complete the input of duties.During my time with HBL I was able to take and pass on orders in an efficient manner. I watched and listened to the experienced personnel around me, gaining knowledge about site management and people skills which cannot be acquired in the academic environment. Furthermore, going into my placement year in June, I felt anxious about public speaking. However, over the past year I was able to practise this and refine my skills as I was confidently presenting tool box talks in-front of up to 30 people. I believe that my communication skills, verbal, non-verbal and written have developed immensely.From my experience at HBL I feel I was given the opportunity to learn a great deal in regards to the construction industry and my time has definitely helped me.