Josh sat down with Ryan to talk through his journey into building services engineering and how he ended up working at the University of Glasgow.

What stands out about Ryan’s story is that it isn’t a straight line. He didn’t think engineering was for him at school, spent time working in an admin job, and only found his way into the industry after being given an opportunity to apply for an apprenticeship. From there, it became a process of learning, grafting, and figuring things out step by step through college, university and on the job experience.

This conversation challenges the idea that there is one route into engineering. Ryan talks openly about not being naturally academic, having to work at subjects like maths, and realising that engineering is just as much about communication, problem solving and mindset as it is about technical ability.

They also explore what building services engineering actually is, using a simple way of thinking about it. If architecture is the body and structure is the bones, then building services are the arteries that keep everything running. It is the side of engineering most people do not see, but it is fundamental to how buildings operate and how we move towards a more sustainable future.

If you are unsure where you fit, questioning your next step, or think engineering is not for you, this episode offers a different perspective on what a career in engineering can look like.

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John Kraus joins The Engineer a Career Podcast to explore what engineering needs to become if it is going to meet the challenges of the future.

John is the CEO of Engineers Without Borders UK and has built a career across policy, climate and the built environment.

Although not an engineer by background, his work is focused on one clear mission: helping engineering create better outcomes for people and the planet.

In this episode, we explore what global responsibility means for engineers, why more students are looking for purposeful careers, how engineering education needs to evolve and why individual engineers have the power to challenge how things are done.

We also dive into topics like doughnut economics, regenerative thinking and how engineering can move beyond solving problems to shaping a better future.

This is a thoughtful conversation for engineering students, graduates and professionals who care about where engineering is heading and the role they can play in it.

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Engineering careers are often framed as a simple question: apprenticeship or university?

But what if that’s the wrong debate?

In this solo episode of The Engineer a Career Podcast, Josh explores why engineering has never relied on a single pathway and why the real challenge facing the profession isn’t which route people choose, but how effectively we transfer knowledge to the next generation.

From the strengths of apprenticeships and the value of university environments, to the growing demand from students for real world experience, this episode looks at how different learning styles shape engineering careers and why industry must think more seriously about internships, placements, and early exposure to real engineering work.

Drawing on his own experience, family background in apprenticeships, and conversations with students across universities and colleges, Josh asks a simple question:

Are we focusing too much on the route, and not enough on the system that connects education to industry?

If you are a student considering engineering, an educator guiding the next generation, or an organisation thinking about early career talent, this episode explores why engineering needs every pathway.

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What if the thing holding you back wasn't your grades, but your belief in what you were capable of?

Abby joins Josh on The Engineer a Career Podcast for one of the most honest engineering career conversations we've had on the show. From leaving school with a B in English and a C in Chemistry, being rejected from art school twice and nearly not making it through third year at Strathclyde, to completing a PhD, researching with BAE Systems and founding her own engineering consultancy.

This isn't a polished success story. It's a real one.

Josh and Abby explore what it actually means to think like an engineer beyond the technical skills. Why being comfortable with ambiguity separates good engineers from great ones, how systems thinking becomes one of the most powerful tools across your entire career, and why building genuine connections matters more than any networking event ever will.

Abby also opens up about imposter syndrome, a dissertation presentation so bad the head of department called her into his office, and what finally pushed her to back herself and start Defankle.

If you've ever feel like you didn't quite fit the mould, this one's for you.

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Kate Barnard joins Josh on The Engineer a Career Podcast to share the unconventional path that took her from failing her A Levels to leading engineering teams at Rolls-Royce, and why mindset matters more than grades.

From leaving school with just three UCAS points to discovering engineering by accident during a foundation year, Kate explains how giving it “a go” changed everything. Josh and Kate explore her time studying mechanical engineering at the University of Southampton, the power of applied learning in labs over lectures, and how getting involved with IMechE helped her build confidence, networks and leadership experience alongside her degree.

The conversation then moves into her 20 plus year journey at Rolls-Royce, from climbing inside Apache helicopters as a service engineer, to writing build instructions for the F-35 lift fan in the United States, and later leading one of the company’s first electric engine programmes. Kate shares what it was like running multidisciplinary teams, why cost should be designed out rather than driven out, and how working across university and industry partnerships broadened her perspective beyond a single organisation.

Since leaving corporate life, Kate has stepped into startups, explored climate and fintech ventures, and now operates at the intersection of engineering, strategy and emerging technologies. Along the way, she offers practical advice on staying open minded, identifying transferable skills, building a diverse mentor network, understanding risk early in your career, communicating beyond the engineering echo chamber, and why students should pay attention to those management lectures. The episode also touches on AI, technical grounding, and never losing sight of the “wow factor” of working in engineering.

If you’re a student, graduate, career changer or experienced engineer reflecting on your next move, this episode is packed with honest insight, perspective and practical guidance.

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Rob Cussons joins The Engineer a Career Podcast to share his route from astrophysics to offshore wind, and what it really takes to build a career in the energy transition.

From being inspired by an unforgettable physics teacher, to studying physics with astrophysics at the University of Leeds, Rob explains how early exposure to industry shaped his thinking long before he ever joined a renewable project team. We explore his year in industry, time working in Vancouver, and completing a PhD in Germany, before making the decision to step into renewables after the 2008 Climate Change Act.

I also dive into his 17 year journey at SSE, including his first role as a wind analyst, what wind analysis actually involves, and how moving through 9 or 10 different roles helped him develop the range of skills needed to lead complex projects. Rob shares what it means to be Project Director for Dogger Bank D, the scale of the wider Dogger Bank programme, and the types of engineers and roles involved across a major offshore wind development.

Along the way, he shares some of the most useful advice I have heard on the podcast so far, including why chasing job titles can hold you back, why feeling uncomfortable in new roles is normal, how to find mentors, and why values matter when choosing the organisations you build your career with.

If you’re a student, or early career engineer, this episode is packed with practical insight, purpose, and honest reflection.

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Another week, another episode. Welcome to The Engineer a Career Podcast Sarah Graham.

Sarah joins Josh to share how a high school work placement opened the door to electrical engineering and ultimately led her into offshore wind.

From discovering the real world application of maths and physics at school, to studying at the University of Edinburgh and completing a PhD in power systems and marine energy, Sarah explains how her interest in renewables evolved long before offshore wind became mainstream.

We also explore her move into industry, including the moment she doubted whether she was ready for a major offshore wind role, how she handled imposter syndrome, and why being able to translate technical detail into cost, risk and programme is a defining skill for engineers today. Along the way, she reflects on mentorship, construction delivery, and the scale of opportunity now emerging across renewables.

If you’re a student or early career engineer, this episode offers practical insight, honest reflection, and a clear message: stay curious, back yourself, and take the opportunity.

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Graeme Jackson joins Josh on the podcast to share his route into engineering, and how it took him from a Strathclyde lecture theatre to offshore rigs in the North Sea, and eventually to leading data and AI in the energy sector in New Zealand.

From almost choosing architecture, to a physics teacher spotting his potential, Graham explains how maths, physics and creative subjects became the foundation for his engineering mindset. We dive into his time at the University of Strathclyde, why being open to opportunities mattered just as much as internships, and how a spontaneous decision to study in Hong Kong shaped his direction.

We also unpack his graduate programme with Maersk, including international rotations across Aberdeen, Denmark and Qatar, and why traditional hands on engineering experience still matters when you move into digital, analytics and artificial intelligence. Graham shares how he later returned to university to study analytics and machine learning at UCL, how engineering principles translate into the tech world, and what advice he would give students who are trying to understand where AI fits into their future.

If you’re a student, or early career engineer, this episode is packed with honest reflection, practical insight, and a clear message: the world’s biggest problems are engineering problems.

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