Ngozi Blessing Orji-Chukwu

How practical experiences shape future engineers

Ngozi Orji-Chukwu attended St David’s Catholic Sixth Form College before continuing her studies at the University of South Wales. During her time at university, she undertook a paid 15-month placement at Jubb Consulting Firm. Following the placement, she was offered a role as a part-time student engineer for the rest of her final year. 

Ngozi chose to do a placement to gain hands-on experience and make an informed decision on her future in civil engineering. She wanted to apply her theoretical knowledge to real-life projects and expand her understanding of the field. 

During her placement, she worked on various highway and drainage schemes, completing applications and technical notes. She also learned to use industry-relevant software, including AutoCAD and Micro Drainage. Her daily responsibilities included supporting her team with drainage and highway designs, attending site visits, creating computer-aided designs, and participating in training events and conferences. 

The projects she worked on were diverse, covering roads, schools, and housing developments. Each project required different skills and a unique approach, providing a continuous learning experience. The variety of projects was one of the aspects she enjoyed most, as it allowed her to explore different disciplines within civil engineering. She also benefited from mentorship, having the opportunity to ask questions and learn from experienced engineers. 

One of the highlights of her placement was seeing a footpath she helped design being built and being able to walk over it. Another significant achievement was being named the ICE Emerging Engineer for Wales in 2022 for research inspired by her placement work. 

Her placement experience allowed her to develop transferable skills such as effective communication, time management, teamwork, and self-discipline. It also boosted her confidence in her work and the value she brought to her team. Additionally, she grew her professional development portfolio for future chartership, attending various training sessions, conferences, and forums. 

The placement gave her a significant head start in her career, helping her make an informed decision about her specialization within civil engineering. It also influenced her final year dissertation, leading her to score above 80%. The experience enabled her to articulate her skills effectively to employers, contributing to her securing a graduate role at a global engineering firm. 

She found out about the placement opportunity through LinkedIn, reaching out to an employee at Jubb Consulting Firm after seeing a post about a recent graduate joining the company. This networking effort led to an interview and, ultimately, her placement role. 

Ngozi received support from the USW Careers Service, including a regularly updated list of available placements and CV review sessions. Her university tutor also maintained regular communication with her during the placement, providing guidance and support that proved valuable upon her return to university. 

Returning to university after her placement, she felt confident in her knowledge and skills and had a clearer sense of direction for her career. Her placement experience also led to research opportunities, including a paper on sustainable drainage systems that won the ICE Wales Emerging Engineer Award in 2022. She further developed this research into her dissertation, earning an impressive 87%. 

Ngozi’s experience illustrates the immense value of placements in shaping a successful career. She believes that, when maximized effectively, placements provide invaluable career stepping stones. She highly recommends them to students who are still exploring their career paths in engineering. 

Benefits of volunteering as a student

Ngozi also actively engaged in volunteering during her time at USW, which she found to be one of the most rewarding aspects of her university experience. She contributed to various initiatives, including serving as a representative for the university at HEFCW meetings, where she helped address race-related issues in higher education. This role allowed her to network with students from other universities and develop essential skills such as communication, collaboration, and leadership. 

Additionally, she worked as a student ambassador during open days, assisting prospective students and helping them navigate the campus. Through these opportunities, she enhanced her leadership and teamwork skills, expanded her network, and gained experiences that enriched her university journey. 

Overall, her time at USW, both through her placement and volunteering efforts, provided her with a well-rounded and enriching experience that significantly contributed to her personal and professional growth.