Engineering is open to all regardless of age and background
Inspired by both his father and grandfather to pursue a career in engineering, Daniel Moore MIET is working as a Graduate Electrical Design Engineer for IET Corporate Partner Sweco. Whilst he works hard to progress in his own career, he is also using his knowledge and experience to support and inspire the next generation into STEM.
What inspired you to become an engineer?
From an early age, I always had a curious mindset into how things worked. I used to take old radios and computers apart and see how they were designed. My curiosity developed when I grew as my dad worked for an electric drives company and my grandad as a technician for the Yorkshire Electricity Board. Hearing stories and their experiences from their work made me realise that engineering was a career I wanted to pursue.
Completing two separate work experience weeks at local companies was an eye opener into the engineering work life. After these I applied for a place to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University.
Can you describe your engineering career so far?
My career in engineering started at university where I developed an in-depth knowledge and used practical skills to analyse, design and build electrical and electronic circuits. Putting the theory into practice in the labs really helped me to learn.
After university I started working for an engineering consultancy company as a graduate electrical design engineer for the Energy, Water and Environment Division. Since starting, I have had lots of training opportunities, site experiences and project delivery. Being surrounded by experts in multidisciplinary engineering fields and a having a mentor to help me, I believe my career in engineering will be great.
What has been your biggest success in your career?
I have enjoyed a number of successes in my career so far from completing project deliverables, training courses, and becoming a STEM ambassador. Working with multiple water companies across the nation has given me lots of experience and completing works packages to a high standard. I would say that my greatest success in my career was being praised by the technical director for the work I have produced on a project. Receiving this feedback made me feel really good and that I have developed since starting at Sweco.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career?
The biggest challenge of my career so far has been managing design changes to a project. If there is a change of design, there can be a large knock-on effect of the electrical documentation and drawings that have to be produced. Processing these changes can be difficult but I have developed this and I am able to manage client’s expectations and produce electrical deliverables to a high standard.
Are there any exciting projects you are currently working on?
Currently I am working on a batch of projects for a multidisciplinary engineering and construction company in the water and wastewater industry. The project objectives are to reduce phosphorus concentrations in the final effluent. In order to meet the phosphorus permit, each site is getting a new Tertiary Solids Removal plant via a pile cloth filter. These schemes are to provide better quality final effluent.
It has been a challenge delivering four schemes at once taking them from outline design to detailed design but a rewarding one. Getting out to site and performing site surveys has developed my site skills and understanding the design to provide the best solutions. Working on a project from start to finish has given me the experience of project delivery and all the steps associated with it.
What does the future look like and what are your goals?
I am really passionate about my role as Graduate Electrical Design Engineer and I am aiming to achieve a Senior Electrical Design Engineer. I also hope to become an Incorporated Engineer with the IET in the near future. To achieve the above I am currently studying the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations Amendment 2, continue learning from my colleagues and mentor to obtain further experience and keep my CPD up to date to track my progression.
I am currently a STEM Ambassador for STEM Learning where I hope to inspire the next generation of engineers by attending volunteering days and careers fairs. I am keen to expand on this and try and do more in the future. I want to share my knowledge with the younger generation and hopefully inspire them to become engineers one day.
I am coming towards the end of my graduate programme at Sweco and having a mentor to guide and support me has been incredibly useful. I hope that I will be able to mentor the next cohort of graduate engineers and provide them with the same support I received. Although I am still young in my career, I know that my journey with the IET can benefit me to help others.
Do you have any advice for those looking for their first role in engineering and technology?
The main advice I would give to a young engineer is to get as much experience as possible. Aim to have completed multiple different work experience weeks with different companies to get a range of experiences. Take in as much as you can and keep asking questions. The more questions you ask the more you will learn.
I would recommend looking at different options after school, there are some excellent apprenticeship schemes or university degrees that may be more suitable for you.
Engineering is a subject open to all regardless of age and background. This is what I want to emphasise in my STEM work to give the next generation opportunity and outlook.
How has your IET Membership helped you in your engineering journey?
The IET offers some excellent tools and help to develop professionally. Using the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) tool [Career Manager] has helped me manage my time and learning by letting me record my hours spent towards learning, volunteering, and self-study.
By recording my hours for my activities over the year I can see what areas may need more attention. Over the past year I could not believe how much I had learnt and the CPD portal helped me visualise this.
The self-assessment tool is very useful when applying for professional registration as I can track my development and see which competencies I am hitting as I progress to IEng/CEng. These can be submitted and stored to your account for easy access and comparison for showing development.
I am very fortunate at Sweco to be surrounded by industry professionals that are willing to share their knowledge and experiences with myself. Having a mentor for the IET has helped me to develop and support me towards my professional registration goals which I hope to hit in the near future. I aim to learn as much as possible and my journey with the IET has been insurmountable.