Q&A Jake demonstrating building services to would-be engineers of the companys projects were UKbased. I was, however, fortunate to have the opportunity to work in Qatar for two weeks while I was there, and this experience furthered my desire to pursue something more permanent. Moves to other consultancies didnt yield the international work opportunities that Id hoped for, and with the pandemic compounding the inability to move abroad, I was itching to take an opportunity if it came my way. Jake Lenahan Travelling to work CIBSEs youth network has played a part in helping mechanical engineer Jake Lenahan realise his long-held ambition of moving abroad for work J ake Lenahan, from Manchester, recently took up the opportunity to work at engineering consultancy Stantec, based in Melbourne, Australia. The mechanical engineer is currently a member of the Global Committee of CIBSEs Young Engineers Network (YEN), sitting as the CIBSE YEN/YEA [Young Engineers of ASHRAE] liaison. He graduated from the University of Nottingham with a first-class Masters in engineering in 2016, and his previous roles have included two and half years at Hoare Lea, a 16-month spell at Atkins, and two and a half years at Crookes Walker Consulting. Here, he tells us how CIBSE and YEN have helped further his career and given him opportunities to connect with engineers all over the world. Why did you rst get involved with CIBSE? I was initially convinced by one of my colleagues to join the CIBSE North West committee as a graduate, under the premise of networking with other people in the industry. I didnt really know what to expect, but my first impressions were great the people were lovely, the discourse was engaging, and I found it really interesting to be a part of discussions regarding professional events within the North West. Moving onto the YEN committee as a vice-chair, at the start of 2018, opened up further opportunities to engage with engineers in the region, with a focus mainly on those at the start of their careers. CIBSE pointed me in the direction of STEM resources and training, so I could teach at schools and careers events. It also helped me organise technical CPDs and social events, and arranged travel so I could attend national events for the CIBSE YEN Global Committee. What made you want to work overseas? I have never been one for standing still and have always had the ambition to further my knowledge so the opportunity to design in a whole new environment was really appealing to me. I may also have been influenced, in part, by my dad, who was an engineer and worked in many different countries. It was something I always wanted to do, so when I graduated, I actively looked at avenues of opportunity to facilitate international working. These were limited at my first engineering consultancy, as the vast majority How did the CIBSE YEN help? My other, and most successful, avenue for foreign travel was via CIBSE. As well as the national events I attended, there were opportunities to travel internationally. In 2019, I was lucky enough to attend the CIBSE YEN Global Conference in Malaysia, with those on the Global Committee. It was a wonderful experience. Aside from the networking opportunities, there were some real highlights, such as a trip to see the plantroom of the Petronas Towers, the awe-inspiring Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, and a presentation for a commercial development located on the site of an old prison in Kuala Lumpur. My utmost thanks go to the then CIBSE President, Lynne Jack, for curating such a memorable trip. Was YEN instrumental in getting your job in Australia? Not directly. However, coming into contact with other engineers from various backgrounds, and talking with them about their own experiences, broadened my horizons. Those encounters really shaped me as an individual and, ultimately, influenced me to explore different options. What does your current role for CIBSE in Australia involve? Im sitting as the CIBSE YEN/YEA liaison, which provides a formal link between the two institutions and facilitates activities, both professional and social, to help younger engineers at the start of their careers. CIBSE has been a cornerstone of my ability to network, travel and, ultimately, experience the world of building services. The profession can be a bit overwhelming when you start as a graduate, so it was important to me to provide a platform for those coming into the industry. www.cibsejournal.com September 2022 97 CIBSE Sept 22 pp97 Q&A.indd 97 26/08/2022 14:10