Mekha Rajesh, Graduate Civil Engineering

Growing up, Mekha had a fascination with the STEM sectors, which ultimately paved her way into completing a Masters degree in engineering and then joining Sir Robert McAlpine as a Civil Engineer.

What Sir Robert McAlpine project are you a part of?

What Sir Robert McAlpine project are you a part of?

Kingsway Hospital - AAU & PICU Derbyshire South.

What was your journey and what inspired you to pursue a career in this field?

Getting into Civil Engineering was my attempt to follow my grandfather’s footsteps, as he was also a Civil Engineer back in the day in India. Coming from an ethnic South-Asian background, education has always been a crucial aspect of my life and family values. Growing up I always had a fascination with the STEM sectors, which ultimately paved my way into doing a degree in Engineering. Moving abroad to do a Master’s degree was also part of that journey of pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

 

How do you navigate and overcome any barriers or challenges you face as a woman in a predominantly male-dominated industry?

I believe in the motto that knowledge is power. Being a woman in a heavily male-dominated industry comes with its own challenges. But I also understand that nothing can surpass having the right knowledge and talent in any endeavours. So, my key objective as a new entrant in the working world is to absorb as much knowledge from everyone else’s experiences and expertise.

In what ways do you believe diversity and inclusion contribute to the success of construction projects?

Diversity and inclusion are an integral part of developing a multi-functional workforce that can compensate and complement each other. When you have the right mix of people around, it helps elevate each person in the team in a different way. Construction is an extremely solution-driven industry, to which it can add an element of multi-dimensional idea exchanges and approaches to the same challenge, thus improving and fast-tracking processes.


Could you highlight a project or accomplishment that you're particularly proud of in your career?

I have been part of my project from the mobilisation of the enabling works to the current stage we are at with it. The most rewarding feeling ever is walking across the road every morning and seeing the changes we have made throughout the last year in turning a large field of land into this fully functional structure while realising the value of the effort I have contributed to its creation.


What advice would you give to other women who are interested in pursuing a career in engineering?

It may not be a glamourous industry for the outside world, and that simplicity is exactly the most beautiful thing about it. It is also a place where you can be yourself and indulge in a unique experience in comparison to a regular corporate working culture. The hard work you put into the construction industry is almost always here to stay, producing landmarks and history, unlike any other sector out there.

How do you feel the construction industry can continue to grow female talent?

Representation is key to improving and inspiring people into the industry, especially for people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Stories of people who did their journey when it was a much harder time should be circulated within the industry and the outside world. Sometimes people need to see it to believe it and put themselves in their role model’s shoes to create their own journeys.

Every business should have a diversity hub with proper communication channels for people of different backgrounds to reach out, network, and share personal experiences. Inspiration is like planting a seed and hence should be planted and nurtured from a very young age. Activities to involve children/young minds with small construction-based experiments in schools etc are a simple investment that has the potential to change the industry for the years to come.

 

Meet the team

  1. Mekha Rajesh, Graduate Civil Engineering

    Growing up, Mekha had a fascination with the STEM sectors, which ultimately paved her way into completing a Masters degree in engineering and then joining Sir Robert McAlpine as a Civil Engineer.

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  2. Dane O'Kine, Quantity Surveyor

    As a part of our ‘Meet the Team’ series, we sat down with Quantity Surveyor, Dane O’Kine, to learn more about his route to construction and what drew him to joining our business.

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  3. Sam Davey, Quantity Surveyor

    Sam is one of the undergraduate students we are sponsoring through their studies. As he is currently on his Industrial Placement year with us, we took the opportunity to chat to him about his experiences and plans for the future.

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  4. Ella Mills - Planner

    Ella is undertaking a Planning Apprenticeship, whilst studying Construction Management at London Southbank Uni. We caught up with Ella to learn about her experiences so far.

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  5. Jack Arnold, Engineer

    Jack joined the business in 2014 after two placements with us during his degree in Construction Engineering Management at Loughborough University. We caught up with him to get his take on working at Sir Robert McAlpine.

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  6. Max Hacon, Engineer

    After graduating in Civil Engineering at Bristol University, Max joined us in January 2018. We caught up with him to find out more about the start of his career with us.

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  7. Helen Denham, Sustainability Manager

    Helen started her career as a Veterinary Nurse and went on to work in Wildlife Conservation and Land Management. After achieving an Open University Human Geography Degree at 38, she joined the construction industry.

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  8. Mark Boyland, Design Manager

    Mark studied architecture in New Zealand and worked in a small design practice in Wellington before heading to the UK. Once here he completed his professional qualifications, and worked in a number of roles, before joining us. We caught up with him to learn more about his experiences.

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  9. Shauna Farrell-Wessling, Construction Manager

    Shauna joined us a graduate after studying Civil Engineering at the University of Nottingham, and has since worked on projects including the new American Embassy. We spoke to her about her career to date – and what it’s like to work on her current project, the Elizabeth Tower.

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  10. Ciara Shaugnessy, Trainee Quantity Surveyor

    Ciara is studying an accelerated BSc in Quantity Surveying, studying one day a week, every week throughout the year as opposed to having a summer break. This enables her to complete the day-release course in a reduced timeframe. As part of the course she is working towards chartership and completing an assessment of professional competence.

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  11. James Roy, Sustainability Manager

    James Roy is finding our open and supportive learning culture invaluable as he settles into his new role as Sustainability Manager.

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  12. Tyler Penwill

    Tyler Penwill worked with us at the new US embassy in London during his degree and he’s now part of our team at Battersea Phase 3.

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Working for Sir Robert McAlpine

  1. Exciting career opportunities in Bridgwater, Somerset

    Join our construction team delivering a state-of-the-art battery cell manufacturing facility for Agratas.

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  2. Why Join Us?

    We’re an employer that genuinely stands apart from our peers. Here’s why there is nowhere else like Sir Robert McAlpine to do the job you love.

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  3. What's On Offer

    We offer competitive packages that recognise the value we put on our people.

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  4. Experienced Hires

    Keen to take on new challenges and greater responsibility? At Sir Robert McAlpine, you will find the opportunities you need to take your career to the next level.

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  5. Emerging Talent

    Explore opportunities for school leavers, students and graduates – start on the path to achieving your career potential.

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  6. Meet the team

    Meet some of the diverse and talented employees who make our business what it is. Hear their stories and see why they’re proud to be part of the team.

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Join the team

Find out more about Sir Robert McAlpine

  1. Our Approach

    We employ exceptional people and work alongside first-rate partners to build and deliver exemplary construction projects.

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  2. Our Vision

    To be renowned for our work with clients and communities as we construct a better world for future generations.

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  3. Technical Excellence

    Technical excellence. It’s what we are known for. And it's why we attract some of the industry’s brightest talent.

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  4. People & Culture

    In everything we do, we act with integrity, treat people fairly, and do what we say we will.

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  5. Inclusion

    'We treat each other like family'. It's the ethos that we live by and that underpins our culture.

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  6. Our partnership with Maggie's

    As well as the construction of many of its architecturally significant centres, we’ve raised £1m for Maggie's in just six years.

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  7. Sustainability

    We are committed to leaving a lasting positive legacy as a result of our actions. Considering our impact on the environment and society in all we do. Playing our role in addressing the climate emergency for a sustainable and prosperous future.

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  8. Health, Safety & Wellbeing

    Health, Safety and Wellbeing is about people, and nothing is more important to us. We are committed to reducing risk and creating positive working environments.

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  9. Quality

    We pride ourselves on delivering a quality product to our clients on time, every time.

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