Sanara
Nethmi Jayasena

Tell us why you chose to study at NTU and any key features which may have influenced your decision?

My first initial reason for selecting NTU was due to the course. After completing my BEng in Civil and Construction Engineering and working for almost 2 years in the industry I realized that my passion was more towards design and structural engineering therefore, in order to progress as a structural engineer I decided to study further in a respected course. The course Structural Engineering with Management offered under NTU had a really impressive subject selection and additionally included a construction/project management subject which was what made me definitely want to get enrolled.

In addition, after looking through the university socials I came across the available opportunities and the exemplary student life offered which was really something I was looking forward to as an international graduate coming to a new city.

The other main thing was the location. I am a city girl and a really big fan of Nottingham. The fact that my course was taught in the city campus made me even more happy to be part of it since it provided me the ability to study and live in the vicinity of the campus and provided me exposure to the city life and everything it offered.

In retrospect, choosing NTU remains one of the easiest and most fulfilling decisions I've made. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it and continue to cherish my experience there.

What did you learn – both inside and outside of lectures? What still makes you smile when you look back?

The program offered with the selection of subjects was very informative and has helped me progress in my current job as well. The material taught by Dr Fouad, Dr Bahareh and Dr Hynda, Dr Ehsan amongst a few really helped me to easily understand the core principles of becoming a structural engineer. All material was uploaded priorly, and the presentation of information was very easy to understand. The lecturers were more than happy to answer any queries that were either related or unrelated to the subject which helped me feel more at home and happy with all my lessons and motivated me to attend them.

I nominated myself to become a Course Rep to help out fellow students and improve on my leadership and teamwork skills. Being a Course Rep gave me the chance to represent my class and to get to know members of the staff and talk to them. I helped organize the first employability event in 2022 by assisting Dr Hynda to help fellow students understand the job market in UK. We invited successful alumni and obtained advice from them on how to successfully land a job from creation of CV and Cover letter and facing interviews.

In addition to subject materials, I was able to improve my leadership skills and presentation skills. NTU provided me with the opportunity to represent the university in events and help fellow colleagues and speak in public events and forums which has always been a dream of mine. I developed a lot of great friendships in NTU which still remains today.

Furthermore, as an international student and one of the few girls in the class I didn’t feel out of place. I always felt belonged and heard and was treated fairly which made it a very safe and wonderful atmosphere. I am really happy about all the opportunities that was provided and how I willingly utilized all available opportunities which helped me secure my first job as a Structural Engineer in June, three months before completing my degree. I also won the award for best overall female performance in Structural Engineering in my year and graduated with Distinction.

Being at NTU has definitely prepared me to be a very confident and accomplished structural and civil engineer in an industry predominantly occupied by men.

What does your current day involve?

My daily routine as a recent Graduate Structural and Civil Engineer in Arthur Consultancy Services (ACS) is anything but monotonous. At ACS, I am involved in a variety of projects that includes both design and fieldwork. My typical workday varies based on the project at hand. For structural projects, I focus on performing hand calculations, then using Tekla or Robot Structural Analysis to further confirm my calculations. After review, I create the necessary documents or design the relevant structure using Autodesk applications. If I am not engaged in design work I might be on-site performing structural inspections using a laser scanner or conducting drone surveys.

We also dedicate some days for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and training to enhance our knowledge and skills. Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to work on planning works that involve creating planning applications and drafting tender reports, which I find particularly interesting.

At ACS we believe in continuous growth and development by improving our knowledge and skills through the introduction of new software and equipment to build multiskilled, well-rounded engineers. We also emphasize variety in our work to keep it engaging and productive. Weekly progress meetings allow us to discuss ongoing and upcoming projects, providing everyone the opportunity to contribute to projects that interest them.

What attracted you to this field of work?

Growing up, I was very interested in Pinterest DIY projects. I loved transforming my workspace or bedroom to resemble the stunning photos you'd find in an AD magazine. My passion extended further after watching numerous shows on house renovations and interior design projects with my parents since they were keen enthusiasts as well.

Further along the road I decided to become a structural engineer so that I understand not only the aesthetic but also the foundation of the design. This allows me to fulfil my goals of creating masterpieces from start to finish, combining beauty with structural integrity. Thus, leading me to where I am today, pursuing my dream as a Structural Engineer.

What challenges have you faced?

The biggest challenge I have ever faced is coming to the UK as an international student from Sri Lanka and navigating the job market. Since my course was only one year, I started preparing myself well ahead to apply for jobs by creating a suitable CV, Cover letter and a portfolio. The UK employability sector was very different from what I was used to, so I had to continuously learn about online application platforms, enhance my LinkedIn profile to make it more professional and appealing, practice interview questions and answers, and stay informed about events in the country and the construction field.

Every day after university, I dedicated time to job applications and researching potential companies. I was fortunate to secure an offer from the NTU Career Fair but this success was due to my consistent preparation and attendance at various events, such as career fairs, the Nottingham Job Fair, and company hosted events. I also participated in IStructE events, which allowed me to network with fellow engineers, learn about available opportunities, and gather valuable information on how to prepare myself effectively.

What have been the highlights and biggest challenges of your career so far?

The highlights have been the knowledge and skills I have learnt and currently mastering in terms of design and software. One of my favourite highlights was leading a recent warehouse project for Frontier Agriculture Ltd. In this project, I checked the structural integrity of the existing portal frame and designed a new conveyor belt structure to be attached to it. To carry out this project, I performed a structural inspection using a laser scanner and analysed the existing structure with Tekla. I then designed the necessary supports for the new conveyor. Finally, I modelled the new concept design using Revit and presented it to the client. This project allowed me to apply my newly developed skills in laser scanning and integrate multiple software tools to complete the task successfully.

One challenge I have faced is when working with projects that consists of a strict timeline where I did have to learn certain sections of a software at a smaller time frame in order to complete the project. Therefore, as a new graduate time management has been a bit of a challenge but that is something I am currently working on to improve.

What are your plans for the future?

My current main goal is to become a Chartered or Professionally Qualified Structural Engineer. Additionally, I hope to apply for a position on the Committee for the East Anglia IStructE Regional Group or the new Young Members Group they are planning to form.

What advice would you give to new graduates?

• To always prepare well in advance cause you never know when you’ll come across an opportunity and you will be able to grab it faster if you are prepared.
• Always attend organised events you never know what will come from attending. Sometimes we may believe that certain events are not important and it may not be worth our time but events, whether big or small are equally important.
• Life is all about taking chances and to always take the chances that present themselves.
• As an international student I do understand that some students do struggle and put more attention on part time work or do get caught up in the luxuries offered in being in a new city and country sometimes forsaking their purpose. However, in my experience on maintaining my focus on studies and improving myself with knowledge and skills in the academic year has helped me vastly to be who I am today.

Finally, is there anything else you’d like to share with our alumni community?

One of my standout memories from NTU was when I was awarded the Dean’s Award for Best Overall performance from a Female in Structural Engineering. It was one of my favourite accomplishments.

Keep updated on social media

You can catch up with Sanara and see her latest news on her LinkedIn.