After completing an 8000-hour apprenticeship in mechanical engineering I worked as a qualified fitter and turner. By this time I had become interested in structural engineering, which motivated me to leave work and go to University. I enrolled at Unitec NZ and then the University of Auckland completing a Diploma in Engineering (Civil) and Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) respectively.Upon finishing my studies I gained employment at a large engineering consulting firm in Auckland CBD, where I worked as a structural engineer as part of their commercial buildings section. I completed their graduate program and then moved to a smaller consulting firm, gaining experience in the residential space as well as small business acumen. Having gained extensive experience in residential and low-rise commercial structural engineering, I now work as the founding director of Northside Structural Ltd. We provide structural engineering services primarily in the Auckland region for a growing client base. Our projects will generally comprise 80% residential and 20% low-rise commercial buildings.