Meet Rob Eells this National Engineering Day
To celebrate National Engineering Day, we sat down with Rob Eells, our Contracts Manager, to talk about what engineering really means in today’s world – and where he sees it going in the future.
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
- My brother studied civil engineering at university, I went to visit and sat in a geotechnical lecture and my interest started from there. For someone who didn’t like school, I listened.
Who was your biggest influence or mentor when you started your career?
- It was a site agent who was an agent for JGL on the first project that I worked on. The way he gave me opportunity and encouraged me, he understood my journey and knew what you were experiencing.
How do you see the role of engineers evolving over the next decade?
- I think AI will impact the way we approach problems in the industry, but engineers will always be required for inspiration, assessment and on the groundwork.
What advice do you give to young engineers or those early in their careers?
- You’ve got to put the hard work in. The biggest question I get asked by graduates is “how do I get where you are?” and the answer is hard work and dedication. Throw yourself at every opportunity that comes your way and experience is the key.
How are we working to make engineering more inclusive and diverse?
- We’re spending more times in schools with STEM and at engineering fairs in universities, promoting the business and the industry as something for everyone and we’ve seen a good uptake. In the last few years, I have been actively engaged in our graduate and placement intake and have witnessed a wider range of applicants who have shown an active interest in underground engineering.
What qualities do you think define a great engineer today?
- An engineer who listens and actively works as a team and not an individual. We have a generation of team workers who share their knowledge across the team and across the industry, as it has a greater impact on the world of engineering.
What’s the biggest lesson you've learned from working in the engineering sector and what advice would you give your younger self?
- No question is a stupid question, that’s what Josie told me on my first day and I hold onto that.