How Chiara became an award-winning Civil Engineer through real-world projects at LSBU
When Chiara joined LSBU, she wanted to build a career in Civil Engineering. Through industry-led projects, site visits and collaboration with engineering professionals across London, she developed the skills, confidence and experience needed to succeed in the industry. Her hard work was recognised with the IStructE Student Prize, helping to launch their career as a Graduate Civil Engineer.
Can you tell us about the industry-led group design project you worked on?
During my third year, I worked on an industry-led group design project in collaboration with professionals from companies such as WSP, Whitby Wood, Parmarbrook, etc.
The project involved redeveloping a shopping centre in Elephant and Castle, taking the design from concept through to detailed development while considering sustainability, innovation and physical model making.
I assisted with the initial concept design and hand sketches, carried out structural assessments of the existing structure, and contributed to the final project presentation. The experience gave me valuable insight into how multidisciplinary teams collaborate on real redevelopment projects within London.
How valuable was it to work on a project set by real industry partners?
Extremely valuable. I genuinely felt like I was working in a real project environment. Working closely with industry professionals helped me understand how engineering teams collaborate and solve real-world challenges. They encouraged us to think creatively while considering the practical constraints of real projects, especially within a complex urban environment like London.
The practical nature of the project helped me develop important skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving and presenting technical ideas, which are all skills I now use regularly in the industry as a Graduate Civil Engineer.
LSBU students visit major engineering and construction sites across London - were there any field trips or site visits that particularly stood out to you?
I visited several projects during my studies, but one that particularly stood out was a refurbishment project of Thirty High in Victoria. I was impressed by the challenges involved in transforming a 1960s office building into a modern workspace. It showed me the practical side of engineering beyond the classroom and highlighted how LSBU allows students not only to study engineering, but also to actively experience the industry firsthand.
I was honoured to be awarded the IStructE Student Prize for my performance.
How did seeing real projects help develop your understanding of the industry?
Studying Civil Engineering in London was inspiring because the city itself becomes part of your learning experience. It’s the perfect place to explore different types of infrastructure and construction projects, from large transport developments to high-rise refurbishments and urban regeneration schemes.
While studying, I found myself looking at projects, cranes and construction sites from a completely different perspective, understanding the engineering challenges and thinking about how everything is designed and delivered. That really made a difference for me during my degree.
It was also very valuable to see the range of engineering companies involved across the city and understand the different sectors and career paths within the industry.
Looking back, how did the course help prepare you for your career?
It prepared me well for the industry. It was not only theoretical learning, but also understanding the real reasons behind engineering decisions, from laboratory testing to real project scenarios and group design projects.
I developed the technical, teamwork and communication skills needed in professional practice. Thanks to LSBU, I feel that my approach to work-related tasks today is much more efficient, organised and industry-focused.
Working on real project scenarios at university also helped me become more confident when approaching technical tasks, coordinating with different people and managing deadlines in a professional environment. These experiences gave me a strong foundation that I now apply daily in the industry.
Tell us about the award you won for your performance
I was honoured to be awarded the IStructE Student Prize for my performance in structural engineering modules at university, particularly in subjects such as Structural Analysis, Design of Structural Elements and other core structural engineering disciplines.
Receiving this award meant a great deal to me because it recognised the hard work, dedication and passion I put into understanding how structures behave and how engineering principles are applied in real-world design. It was also a proud moment that gave me confidence in my abilities and motivated me even further in my engineering career.
LSBU played a huge role in helping me achieve this. The university constantly pushed me beyond my comfort zone through challenging industry-focused projects, technical modules and practical learning approaches. The support from lecturers and the balance between theory and practical applications helped me strengthen my understanding of structural behaviour and engineering design.
What would you say to prospective students who are considering studying Civil Engineering?
LSBU is an incredibly supportive and industry-focused university that helps prepare you for the professional world from day one. It creates a smooth and confidence-building bridge between college and becoming an engineer by combining strong theoretical knowledge with practical and real-world project experience. It helped prepare me for the engineering career I aspired to achieve.