Meet a Woman Engineer - Zainab Adigun

Name: Zainab Adigun
Job Title: Senior Structural Engineer and AFBE-UK Schools Making Engineering Hot
Location: London, United Kingdom
 
When did you realise that a career in engineering was right for you? Was there a particular moment in your life?

Growing up, I have always been quite intrigued in how things work, I remember my mum always saying if something can’t speak it cannot be smarter than you. That stuck with me as it made me always want to fix things around the house which includes changing a plug socket and getting electrocuted.
 
I was also really keen on playing outdoors and one day I caught myself staring at my 16-storey tower block which was one of 6 large concrete frame blocks on the council estate I grew up on. I remember saying to myself, how do these things stand up with no support and not even moving…I was intrigued.
 
Coupled with always wanting to fix things and being really interested in Maths and Science, that sparked the idea in my mind that I wanted to become an engineer. I don’t think at that point I completely understood what an engineer was and even what type of engineer I wanted to be. I just knew it would be fun and it matched my skills set (I’m not a big fan of writing)
 
Having the opportunity to do a BTEC first engineering course in year 10 changed the trajectory of my career because it further sparked my interest in engineering, but at that point, I still didn’t know which type of engineering I wanted to do.
 
When I was choosing my A-levels I knew I was going to study civil engineering, but it was at the point I was offered a scholarship to do a master's in structural engineering that I decided that I wanted to be a structural engineer.
 
What does an average day look like for you?

I manage a small engineering team developing and delivering engineering solutions for our clients. 

I am responsible for undertaking structural design and analysis and collaborating with the wider design team coordinating, managing, delegating and implementing structural designs with a range of building requirements.

How did you get into this career? What qualifications did you get?

I had to study Physics and Maths at A-Levels. I studied Civil Engineering at university for my undergraduate degree and then went on to do an MSc in Structural Engineering.
 
Did you face any challenges with your career decision as a woman engineer?

The main challenge was being asked why I wanted to pursue this career as it is a male-dominated field. I didn’t let that discourage me, it just made me want it even more.
 
What advice would you give to young girls considering a career in engineering?

You can do it! Do not ever let someone's perception of what the world looks like change yours. It's not as scary as it looks and it's super fun.

Now I can even match my love for acting with my career, as I have featured on science documentaries on channels such as National Geographic.
 
Do you have any standout memories/funny/interesting stories from your career as an engineer?

I remember, walking into first engineering class where I was the only female and it was very intimidating but I had to remind myself that my gender doesn’t matter, the important thing was that I was there to learn.