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the complex connections team looking difficult decision to pursue.” In terms of the future of her career,
after SCJ (sufficiently complex jobs), Sarah joined National Grid in November Sarah says she doesn’t have a strict
compass analysis and infill requests – a 2020 and is now delighted to be part of three-to-five-year career plan, which she
role Sarah says she was very lucky to be the siteworks team within National Grid says may seem odd to some people, but
involved with. Metering as a GIRS Design Specialist. she has learnt that this is okay.
“There were many great moments She said: “I engage with both end “A very wise dear friend once said to me
over my career within National Grid/ customers and gas suppliers in terms that you never know what is around the
Cadent and I was continually led by a of designing gas infrastructure for all corner and, to this day, I thoroughly believe
strong management team, who believed types of industrial and commercial in cherishing yesterday, living for today
in developing the future generation,” she sites throughout Great Britain. I and dreaming of tomorrow,” she says.
says. This is where she was able to obtain respond to the needs of small and large “This has been a strong message that
her GIRS design accreditation in 2009. organisations alike, including complex I have kept with me and, whenever
Over the years, however, Sarah industrial sites, and work across all something has seemed unachievable
realised that she was drawn to the pressure tiers along with our GIRS or too difficult, I have pushed myself to
technical elements of projects more project managers. not be the person who is left behind and
so than becoming a team leader or “I decided I wanted to be officially make my own future bright.”
manager. “Whenever the opportunity recognised for all of my hard work and to Of course, there have been times that
arose, I would put my hand up for any become officially accredited in some way. I Sarah has doubted herself but, she says,
development opportunities and, with the wanted to showcase my abilities and prove “we are extremely fortunate within the
industry evolving once again, I made the that all my determination and perseverance industry to have incredibly talented and
decision to leave Cadent to explore other had been worth it. I spoke to several people approachable individuals, and I try and
opportunities in 2019,” she said. throughout the industry and the IGEM learn from these people to encourage my
Joining a UIP provider as a Senior accreditation route was recommended. own development”.
Technical Coordinator managing gas, I immediately made enquiries and, with “My advice would be, if you don’t know
water, and electricity projects, from the GIRS design accreditation I had something, ask. I never thought that I
project initiation through to completion, already obtained, I would be recognised would be part of the engineering future. I
gave her an insight into what it was as an Engineering Technician. highly encourage anyone to give yourself
like to be on the other side of the fence. “From my personal experience, I a chance and become involved.”
She developed more experience on didn’t know of any other woman within
the operational side of projects than the industry that had achieved this, If you’re interested in becoming an IGEM
previously, saying: “This role was so once again, my ambition kicked in. EngTech member, visit www.igem.org.
extremely interesting and fulfilling I had incredible support from people uk/membership for more information or
and, once again, unexpectedly, another throughout the industry and finally, this call our Membership Services team on
opportunity arose, which I took the year, I achieved this accreditation.” +44(0)1509 678150.

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