Congratulations Tonisha – you’ve just gained a First-Class Honours BSc Degree in Quantity Surveying from University of Wolverhampton – a great achievement. How do you feel?
I’m pleased – it’s been five long years of study. I’m employed full-time by SES, so completed my studies on a day release basis. This September I’ll be starting a Master’s Degree, again on a day release basis.
What first sparked your interest in engineering?
I joined the business as a trainee in 2016 and during the trainee scheme I had a three-week placement with SES and that’s where I first became interested in M&E. In 2019, following my graduation from the scheme, I saw SES had a vacancy for an Assistant Surveyor for Midlands and South West. I was really interested because I’d enjoyed the placement so much.
Your dissertation topic for your degree was about the impact of offsite production on the cost and delivery of mechanical and electrical installations. What made you choose that?
My time at SES has had a huge influence on my studies. As a business there is a push towards utilising offsite manufacturing and I was interested in learning more about the impact this has on our installations. I also knew I had access to a range of different projects to use as case studies and people who would share their experiences.
I am so thankful to everyone at SES and Prism Offsite Manufacturing who helped throughout my research; completing my questionnaire and taking time out of their busy working week to take part in an interview. Without the amount of data I was able to gather I would never have been able to achieve a grade of 85% on this module.
During the two years you’ve been at SES, what’s been the most enjoyable project you’ve worked on?
The project that I have had the best experience on is the project I am working on now, which is a high profile leisure project in the Midlands.
How have you found it working in the industry as a young woman, and how helpful do you think a special day like International Women in Engineering Day is?
In my experience there has been no disadvantage to working in the industry as a woman, other than having to put up with a lot of football talk! International Women in Engineering Day is important as it can help young women understand the range of career paths available across the industry, especially when the industry offers trainee schemes offering sponsorship to degree level.
Your next step is a Master’s Degree – what else is in your sights?
Yes, I start a Master’s in Contract Law & Dispute Resolution in September, alongside becoming accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors – and I’m targeting a promotion to Quantity Surveyor!
