People

My recent experience as both traffic lead and assistant designer coordinator for BusConnects Dublin and BusConnects Cork has given me a greater appreciation for protected cyclists’ movements through junctions and their associated signalling implications.

A technician has to be smart.  While our job is to convert an engineer’s design into a drawing, our experience, thoughts and ideas are an important part of the process. We need to understand the whole project so we can combine the information correctly to produce a drawing. That is the main reason technicians cannot be replaced by robots – not yet at least!

As a graduate engineer, I spent nine months working as an assistant resident engineer on the construction stage of the N56 - Mountcharles to Drumbeigh scheme in Donegal. The experience gave me a better appreciation of the central role engineers play in all phases of a road project - from design to handover - and just how much our work impacts on society.

Working on research projects allows me to look closely at some of the bigger issues facing civil engineers today and to develop new models, tools and methodologies. It can be challenging at times, but that is a price worth paying for a stimulating career!

I enjoy being part of a company that is setting the standard in terms of innovative bridge projects and sustainable infrastructure schemes. I know that working here I can continue to develop, both as an individual and as an engineer.

During my studies at University College Dublin (UCD), I developed a keen interest in structures, particularly bridges. As part of my master’s in engineering, I undertook a six-month placement in ROD’s bridges team, during which time I was involved in several bridge design and bridge inspection projects. On completion of my placement, I didn’t hesitate to apply for a place on ROD's graduate programme.