Helen Monckton

An unexpected downturn in work led Helen to return to education and embark on Wood’s graduate programme. Four years on, Helen demonstrates how hard work and a can-do attitude are helping accelerate her career.

What has your career journey been like so far?

I started in the energy industry working on ships as a hydrographic surveyor. I pursued this career path for a decade working in various parts of the world, mostly for oil and gas but occasionally wind farms as well.

During the last oil and gas downturn when offshore work was impacted, I figured I might as well learn something while I was sitting at home. So, I enrolled in a Higher National Certificate (HNC) course for Civil Engineering at Dundee and Angus College.

I completed my HNC and Higher National Diploma (HND) then moved into my third year at Abertay University where I gained my bachelor’s degree in civil and structural engineering. I graduated during the pandemic and started with Wood in September 2020 as a structural engineer in the Engineering Hub in Aberdeen.

I spent a year and a half in the hub before moving to a Shell engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract in the spring of 2022. I am now working towards my Incorporated Engineers (IEng) review with the Institution of Civil Engineers at the end of this year.

What has been your biggest achievement at Wood?

Completing my graduate scheme a year early was a big achievement for me. I ensured that I completed all the mandatory training required and worked hard to prove my competence as a structural engineer.

However, my biggest achievement was working on the Shell EPC contract. I worked towards improving the process safety at the St Fergus gas plant on the mercury removal project. It is a complex project with a tight schedule and has been very challenging. However, it is incredible to be able to go to the site and see the designs that I created come to life on the ground.

The lead engineer on this project has taught me about the commercial side of engineering which has been a steep learning curve as I learn how to compile estimates and scopes of work. The lead engineers have also trusted me to undertake complex engineering tasks such as clamp design or dropped object protection frame design which has been a highlight for me in my career.

What career support have you received at Wood?

I have had supportive line managers who have given me challenging work when I have asked for it, and I have had great senior engineers who have been infinitely patient with my endless questions and who have taught me a great deal.

I recently teamed up with a mentor who is helping me develop towards my medium and long- term career goals. Having a mentor to discuss ideas and give fresh perspective has really helped me define where I want to be and given me an idea of a path to get there.

What advice would you give to someone about to start their career?

• Take notes and have a solid filing system so you can find the information your coworkers will gift you.
• Discuss and set goals with the guidance of your line manager and review these. This can help ensure you get a variety of tasks and training to help develop you.
• Carry out self-evaluations roughly every six months or at the end of a big or difficult project to check that you are on track to reach your goals. These self-assessments can also be used as a gap analysis to help you set future goals.