Shannon is a Degree Apprentice working for Arup, and studies Civil and Environmental Engineering at UWE.

Since starting her career in the rail discipline in 2017, Shannon has exceeded expectations with all tasks given to her, and qualified as an Engineering Technician member of the ICE in 2019 after only two years in her role. She has made remarkable progress, has evolved significantly as both an individual and a designer, and has gained a breadth of engineering design knowledge through her work on various rail projects.

Shannon continues her role within the rail team working as both a competent technician and also developing her skill set as an engineer, currently working as a design engineer on part of the TransPennine Route Upgrade project. She has worked on award winning rail projects including Dawlish Coastal Scheme and Exeter Depot within her role as a technician. She consistently impresses others with her high standards of work, and she has quickly become a well-respected member of the team. Her dedication to producing high quality work and teaching others has led to her becoming a mentor to other apprentices within the workplace to help them to develop as well rounded technicians themselves.

A keen promoter of Apprenticeships, Shannon has held numerous volunteering roles since starting her career in engineering. Since 2017 Shannon has actively promoted STEM careers to schools as a STEM Ambassador, and in 2020 she was selected to sit on the inaugural Women’s Engineering Society Apprentice Board, where she has been involved in projects that help tackle the stigma of female in engineering to young people. In September 2020, Shannon was also chosen as the ICE South West Apprentice of the Year as a result of her commitment to the industry. Additionally, in 2021, she was elected as the ICE South West Chair’s Apprentice, and works actively with the regional committee to work towards improving diversity across the industry and tackle the nature emergency.

Shannon has displayed the characteristics of an excellent role model for women in her industry, and is keen to continue on the trajectory she is on and act as a role model throughout her career. She really appreciates the opportunities afforded to her throughout her role, and the opportunities that she has made for herself are a testament to her dedication to her passion for promoting apprenticeships in engineering and breaking the stigma for females in the industry.