A University of Lincoln construction student is gaining career inspiration thanks to hands-on work experience with Lindum at the Western Growth Corridor in Lincoln.
Gina Smith, 20, is honing her site surveying skills as building company Lindum creates the first road access to the development from Skellingthorpe Road.
She was offered the six-week summer placement after completing a real project brief set by Lindum through the university’s Employer Projects scheme, which gives students valuable experience and career insights.
Gina, studying for a BSc construction science and management, said: “I’ve been on site at the Western Growth Corridor from week one. The best thing about it is it’s practical – I’m not an office girl.
“One of my course modules, land surveying and engineering, was 80 per cent coursework, so to come here and apply that knowledge is a huge bonus.”
The former Lincoln UTC triple engineering student added: “What I want to do as a career is to be a construction manager but with engineering knowledge and experience because that will make it easier for me. I don’t want to be managing something I know nothing about.”
Her three days a week learning at WGC has included ‘setting out’ activities, in which plans are transferred onto the land for construction workers to follow, as well as mapping underground utilities pipes and cables.
Gina also does one day a week work experience at the £8.6m Campus for Future Living health and education facility in Mablethorpe, which Lindum is building for East Lindsey District Council.
Gina, who works part-time at a Lincoln engineering firm making components for turbines in addition to her studies, thanked the university and Lindum for helping inspire her future.
“If I had not gone through the university’s Employer Projects scheme I would not have known where to start,” she said. “Lindum has given me a great opportunity – the company is passionate about an inclusive construction industry and promoting students and young people in engineering.”
