Mengdi Kang

I’m on a two-year rotational graduate scheme, doing placements in different parts of the business. My first was at a depot: it was very hands on, working with support engineers to maintain the fleet and solve any issues. We ran testing days, looking at specific issues across the whole fleet, and had ‘shed days’, where we conducted routine maintenance. I was the only female engineer in the depot and it was quite unusual for the support engineers to see a woman under a train getting her face dirty! However, they were friendly and willing to help and at times went out of their way to give me a hand.

Learning about strategic issues with the head of engineering projects

In my current placement I’m assisting the head of engineering projects, learning about the strategic issues and challenges that senior managers face. My responsibilities have included looking after the department’s balanced score cards (which record how well each areas of the business is doing); helping on a project looking at additional power for the Victoria line; running the safety documentation process for a point and crossing replacement project; and helping put together the business case for the development of a new technology to detect cracks in the rail ‘foot’ (the bottom part). Again, most of my colleagues are male but I have done quite a bit of work for a more experienced female engineer. It would be nice to have a bit more of a balance but the guys look after me well.

Standing out applying for graduate jobs – a good thing

When I was applying for jobs I did stand out, being female and from an ethnic minority, but I think this was a good thing – female engineers are in short supply. In the UK girls seem to be put off going into engineering but it’s important to follow your heart. I get a lot of satisfaction from my job, contributing to society and getting London running every day: you can’t put a price on career fulfilment.