Joanne Meekley MEng Environmental Engineering

Geotechnical Engineer, Gifford

Hi, I'm Joanne Meekley and I studied MEng Environmental Engineering within Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton.

The first year surveying field trip to Gradbach was definitely a high point and it was an excellent opportunity to get to know the other students and some of the staff. The staff in the school are very approachable and always offer help even if the problem isn’t in their particular field of expertise.

What did you enjoy about the course?

The whole of the undergraduate course at Southampton was enjoyable. The first year surveying field trip to Gradbach was definitely a high point and it was an excellent opportunity to get to know the other students and some of the staff. The staff in the school are very approachable and always offer help even if the problem isn’t in their particular field of expertise. The group projects completed in the third and fourth years of the MEng give good experience of working within a team to achieve a common goal and also develop problem solving and time management skills. Subject wise, I think Hydraulics and Hydrology were probably the most enjoyable. The soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering modules taught at Southampton have obviously been invaluable in my current job but the majority of the engineering knowledge I gained whilst studying for my degree has been applied at some point. The use of standard industry software on the course makes settling into ‘real’ engineering jobs a lot smoother too.

What’s Southampton like as a place to be a student?

The facilities and environment at the university mean it is an excellent place to study, but also allows you the opportunity to experience life outside of the lecture theatre. The university has a diverse range of clubs and societies that cater for most interests and sports.

Tell us about your current job

I have been working as a Geotechnical Engineer at Gifford in Southampton for just over a year. I have mainly been involved with highway schemes in my time here but have also gained some experience in designing foundations for bridges and buildings. I hadn’t intended to get into geotechnics when I left university but I really enjoy my job and love the fact that I can look at a retaining wall or a road that I’ve worked on and think ‘That only stands up because of me!’.

What advice would you give to a student starting out on a Civil Engineering degree at Southampton?

You have to be prepared to work hard, civil engineering is not for the faint hearted! The time and effort you put it in is worth it in the end because you get a great sense of satisfaction and achievement when you finish an assignment, especially the major projects in the 3rd and 4th years. And although you may not think so at the time, the majority of the things you learn will apply somehow when you start working as a graduate engineer.

Why did you choose Civil Engineering at Southampton?

The School of Civil Engineering had a reputation for being one of the best in the country and the students I spoke to at the UCAS days were all very enthusiastic. I opted to study Environmental Engineering as I had an interest in contaminated land and pollution, however, the integrated nature of the civil and environmental courses meant that I gained knowledge and skills in all civil engineering fields.