Category: Employer Advice

When people think about engineering, they often picture technical calculations, complex designs, and problem-solving. For Fola Damola, engineering has always been about something bigger.

It’s about improving lives. It’s about solving real-world challenges. And perhaps most importantly, it’s about having the confidence to step into a room, ask questions, and keep learning.

From Nigeria to Chemical Engineering

Growing up in Nigeria, education was never considered optional.

“My parents were doctors, and education was strongly encouraged because it was seen as a way to improve your life,” explains Fola.

Like many children, she initially expected to follow in her parents’ footsteps and pursue a career in medicine. However, despite enjoying science, it was mathematics and problem-solving that truly captured her attention.

“I found problem-solving interesting. Whether it was maths or life, I always enjoyed working through challenges.”

For her A-Levels, Fola studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology rather than Maths. When she didn’t get accepted for medical school, she found herself reassessing her future and considering alternative career paths. Engineering quickly emerged as the perfect fit, combining her love of science with the analytical thinking and problem-solving she enjoyed most.

At the time, very few universities would accept engineering students without a Maths A-Level. Undeterred, Fola secured a place at UCL, completed an additional year of Engineering Mathematics, and graduated with a First-Class master’s degree in chemical engineering. What could have been a barrier instead became the first example of a mindset that would define her career: finding solutions rather than obstacles.

Her background also shaped the mindset she would carry throughout her career.

“In Nigeria, there isn’t really a safety net. Working hard is encouraged because education is seen as a way of improving your life.”

She credits much of that resilience to her family, particularly her mother.

“My mum was a strong advocate for female empowerment, even though she probably wouldn’t have called it that at the time. She believed in financial independence and making sure women could take care of themselves and their families.”

That belief in independence, combined with a determination to overcome challenges rather than be stopped by them, continues to influence how she approaches both life and engineering.

“I don’t see challenges as a reason to stop. They’re just something to overcome.”

While many graduates were drawn towards careers in oil and gas, pharmaceuticals or investment banking, Fola found herself pulled in a different direction.

In Nigeria, the oil industry plays a significant role in the economy, and chemical engineering initially seemed like a natural fit. However, as a self-described “young, idealistic twenty-something who wanted to save the world”, she was attracted to a career where she could make a tangible difference to both people and the environment.

That decision led her into the water industry, a sector she has remained passionate about for more than 23 years.

Why Water Matters

For many people in the UK, clean drinking water is something they rarely think about. For Fola, it is something she has dedicated her career to protecting.

“We’re fortunate in this country that we can turn on a tap and drink the water that comes out. We flush a toilet, and it gets treated properly. That’s not the reality everywhere in the world.”

Growing up in a developing country gave her a different perspective on the importance of water infrastructure and sanitation. Without clean water, communities struggle to thrive. Without effective sanitation, public health suffers.

“My long-term goal has always been to contribute to improving water and sanitation, particularly in Nigeria.”

Her passion even took her to Bolivia, where she spent a year working with the NGO Water for People during a sabbatical.

Engineering and Family Life Can Coexist

One of the biggest misconceptions about engineering is that career progression and family life cannot coexist. Fola’s experience tells a different story. Early in her career, another female engineer told her that the water industry was a great sector for raising a family. Years later, she agrees.

“I’ve got two children, and I’m still able to achieve in my career. I’m a Lead Process Engineer, but I’m also able to do school drop-offs, pick-ups, and attend sports days. Nobody bats an eyelid.”

For Fola, one of the water sector’s greatest strengths is that it allows professionals to pursue ambitious careers while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

“It’s possible to give fully to your work and still be present for your family.”

The flexibility and culture within the sector have enabled her to continue progressing professionally whilst remaining present for the moments that matter most at home. For women considering engineering careers, she believes this is an important message that often gets overlooked.

The Power of Mentors

Ask Fola what has helped her most throughout her career, and she doesn’t mention qualifications or promotions. She talks about people. Specifically, mentors.

“One of the most important things I tell people is to find someone you can ask what feels like a silly question without feeling silly.”

Over the course of her career, she has worked with multiple water companies, consultancies and delivery organisations, building a trusted network of experienced professionals along the way. Today, she jokingly refers to them as her “dream team”.

Whenever she encounters a challenge, a difficult decision or a technical question she hasn’t faced before, she knows exactly who to call.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to know everything about any job you’re doing. What’s important is having people around you who can help you know everything and whose knowledge and experience you can tap into.”

For Fola, one of the most valuable things any engineer can do is build relationships, stay connected and never be afraid to ask questions.

Build relationships. Stay curious. Never stop learning.

Confidence Doesn’t Mean Knowing Everything

One of the most powerful insights from Fola’s career is her perspective on confidence. Too often, confidence is mistaken for having all the answers. For her, it’s something entirely different.

“I have a good relationship with not knowing everything.”

She explains that confidence comes from being willing to ask questions, admit when you’re wrong and learn from the people around you. She believes true confidence comes from being humble enough to recognise what you don’t know, whilst being strong enough to challenge when you do.

This perspective has helped her navigate more than two decades in a highly technical industry and has become one of the defining characteristics of her leadership style.

Engineering Needs Better Communicators

While technical knowledge remains essential, Fola believes one of the most overlooked engineering skills is communication. Today, she is working as a consultant for Advance TRS at the Kier Group on Southern Water‘s AMP8 programme as a Lead Process Engineer.

Her role involves liaising between Southern Water and multiple design partners, ensuring projects are delivered to the required standards, meet programme objectives and remain aligned with client requirements.

“I liaise between the client, Southern Water, and the design partners to ensure that the design they’re delivering meets the standards of the industry and the water company’s requirements.”

What she enjoys most isn’t necessarily the technical detail itself. It’s helping different groups understand one another.

“Engineers are very logical. We love numbers and solving problems, but we’re not always the best at explaining our ideas.”

Throughout her career, she has developed a reputation for bridging the gap between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders. Her role regularly requires her to work with engineers, project managers, senior leadership teams and clients, helping everyone understand what is being delivered and why.

“I love being able to explain engineering to non-engineers in a way they understand.”

She sees herself as a translator between different groups, helping engineers feel understood whilst ensuring clients and leadership teams remain confident in the decisions being made. As projects become increasingly complex and collaborative, she believes communication skills are becoming just as important as technical expertise.

Alongside communication, she credits much of her success to organisation, time management and the ability to balance competing priorities.

“You’ve got to carry a lot of things at the same time and know when to put one down and when to pick another up.”

Encouraging the Next Generation

Alongside her engineering career, Fola volunteers with The Girls Network, mentoring young women and helping them explore future career opportunities. Her message is refreshingly simple.

“If you like it, if you enjoy it, don’t let anybody convince you that you shouldn’t do it.”

She regularly speaks to students about her experiences and wants more young women to understand that engineering is not only accessible but also incredibly rewarding. Through her mentoring work, she has spent time supporting girls during some of the most important years of their education.

Rather than simply discussing careers, she works with them over an extended period, helping them navigate school life, future choices and confidence challenges.

“Sometimes it’s about being another adult in their life who isn’t a teacher or a family member.”

She hopes that by sharing her experiences, more young women will see engineering as a realistic and exciting career path. Whilst she has seen positive changes during her career, she would still like to see more women progressing into senior engineering leadership positions.

“There are more women coming through, but I’d still like to see more women in engineering leadership roles.”

For Fola, encouraging the next generation isn’t just about increasing numbers. It’s about ensuring talented young women never rule themselves out of opportunities where they could thrive.

Why the Water Industry Still Excites Her

After two decades in the profession, Fola remains as enthusiastic about the water sector as ever. For her, water is unlike any other industry because its purpose is so fundamental.

“One day, we may replace fossil fuels, but we’ll never replace water. There’s no substitute. Water is essential to life.”

The industry continues to evolve, facing new environmental challenges, population growth, emerging contaminants and increasing demands on infrastructure. For engineers, that means endless opportunities to innovate and make a difference.

“Everybody deserves clean drinking water. Everybody deserves good sanitation. That’s why this industry matters.”

For Fola, the water sector offers something many industries cannot.

“It’s engaging. It’s interesting. It’s challenging. It can take you all over the world.”

Despite often being perceived as highly technical, she believes the industry is far more welcoming than many people realise.

“It’s not a scary industry. It’s a welcoming industry. There is so much opportunity and so much camaraderie.”

For those looking for a career with long-term prospects, she believes few sectors can match the water sector.

“If it’s an industry that you want longevity in, the water industry is the way forward.”

Whether working in design, delivery, operations, project management or environmental protection, she believes there has never been a better time to build a career in water

“As a person in engineering, I would encourage people to work on as many different aspects of the industry as possible. It makes you a better all-round engineer.”

Her advice is simple:

Take opportunities when they come. Learn from different environments. Build experience wherever you can. “No opportunity is wasted. It’s all part of the portfolio you’re building.”

Some of the projects she is most proud of have involved multidisciplinary teams bringing together civil, mechanical, electrical and process engineering expertise to solve complex challenges. For Fola, engineering is at its best when different disciplines come together to solve problems and improve outcomes. One particularly rewarding moment came recently when she discovered that one of the first treatment processes she ever designed was still operating successfully.

“I was very pleased to hear that what I designed was still functioning and working well.”

For an engineer whose motivation has always been improving lives and protecting the environment, seeing the long-term impact of her work remains one of the most satisfying parts of the profession.

Finding the Right Opportunities

Fola also credits strong recruitment partnerships with helping her navigate her career. Having worked with multiple organisations across the water sector, she believes finding a recruiter who genuinely understands your career goals can make a significant difference.

One relationship in particular has stood the test of time. Fola has worked with Stuart Minchin for almost two decades, following him across different organisations as his career progressed. Over the years, Stuart has supported her through key career decisions, provided honest advice, and helped connect her with opportunities that aligned with her long-term ambitions.

“A good recruiter is worth their weight in gold.”

She believes the best recruiters do more than simply match candidates with jobs. They provide perspective, advice, encouragement and sometimes help people recognise their own potential.

“Stuart has understood what I was looking for throughout my career. It’s never just been about filling a role. It’s been about finding the right opportunity.”

“They negotiate on your behalf. They can be the bad cop to your good cop. A good recruiter has your interests at heart.”

In fact, one conversation with a recruiter helped change how she viewed herself professionally. Several years ago, she was approached about a Lead Process Engineer role and immediately dismissed the opportunity.

“I didn’t think I was ready.”

The recruiter challenged her thinking and encouraged her to look at her experience differently. The role had deliberately been advertised at a slightly lower level because they knew talented engineers often underestimate their own capabilities. Although she didn’t pursue that particular position, the conversation stayed with her.

When a Lead Process Engineer opportunity came along later through Advance TRS and Stuart Minchin, she approached it with a completely different mindset.

“I thought, actually, maybe I am ready.”

Looking back, she believes that conversation played an important role in helping her recognise her own capabilities. It’s a reminder that confidence isn’t about knowing everything. Sometimes it’s about trusting the experience you’ve already built.

Reflecting on her experience working with Advance TRS, she says:

“I feel like I’m in good hands and safe hands with Stuart Minchin and Advance TRS. I have received great advice throughout my career and been exposed to some great job opportunities.”

Connecting Exceptional Talent with Industry-Leading Projects

Fola’s story highlights exactly why the engineering and infrastructure sectors continue to thrive when talented women are given opportunities to develop, learn and grow.

Her technical expertise, leadership, communication skills, commitment to mentoring others and passion for improving lives through engineering make her an outstanding example of the professionals helping shape the future of the water sector.

At Advance TRS, we’re proud to support professionals like Fola and connect exceptional engineering talent with some of the UK’s most important infrastructure projects.

This is the calibre of talent we attract, support and represent across the water, rail, energy & renewables, aviation, buildings, highways, defence and wider infrastructure sectors.

Whether you’re looking for your next engineering opportunity or searching for specialist talent to strengthen your team, Advance TRS provides the expertise, network and industry knowledge to help you succeed.