Zuzanna Feliszek

Degree: 2019 MEng Structural and Fire Safety Engineering, the University of Edinburgh 

Current role: Senior Fire Engineer at Part B 

Why did you decide to study at the University of Edinburgh? And why did you choose to study engineering? 

I moved to Scotland with my parents when I was 10 years old. As I grew older, I always loved the atmosphere I felt every time I visited Edinburgh. When it came time to decide where to study, Edinburgh was always my top choice, not only because of its highly regarded university but also because I had always been so fond of the city itself. It was also within a reasonable distance of my parents' home, so it ticked all the boxes!  

As for choosing engineering, I always wanted to work with buildings. When I was younger, my dream was to become an architect, but a few weeks of work experience in an architect's office quickly showed me that it wasn’t the right fit. I had always been good at, and enjoyed, technical subjects such as Maths, Physics, and Technical Studies, so civil engineering seemed like the perfect match. After a few years at university, I realised that certain aspects of the profession weren’t necessarily for me, but I had the option to switch to Structural and Fire Safety Engineering in my fourth year, which I gladly did. This is how I ultimately became a fire safety engineer.  

How did you get where you are? 

Since starting my career in fire safety engineering, I have worked on a wide variety of buildings, including residential, schools, mixed-use developments, offices, warehouses, industrial sites, and entertainment/assembly buildings. My daily tasks include reviewing drawings against guidance documents, preparing fire strategy reports, attending design team meetings, responding to queries from the design team via email and phone, and liaising with Building Control and the Local Fire and Rescue Service. For more complex projects, I also develop fire-engineered solutions where standard guidance does not fully apply, using performance-based design.  

Six months into my role at Jensen Hughes, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and we transitioned to fully remote working. This posed some challenges, as being in the office during the early stages of my career was invaluable for gaining experience through team discussions and observing the advice senior engineers gave to clients. However, my team was incredibly supportive, and we adapted to remote collaboration through online calls, ensuring I continued to receive the guidance I needed.  

My career began shortly after the Grenfell Tower fire, which has led to significant changes in fire safety and building regulations. These regulations have been evolving almost annually, requiring fire engineers to stay up to date with the latest guidance and assess how it impacts both ongoing and future projects. This constant change has underscored the importance of our role in ensuring building safety.  

After three successful years at Jensen Hughes, I decided to seek new opportunities in October 2022. My partner and I were looking to purchase our first home, and I needed more flexibility in my working arrangements, which I found at Clarke Banks. Although my core responsibilities remained largely the same, I discovered that company processes and policies can differ greatly, and this move highlighted the significant impact that company culture can have on one’s work experience. I’ve learned valuable lessons from both organisations.  

Now, with over five years of experience, I am excited to be taking the next step in my career. I have just started a new position as a Senior Fire Engineer at Part B. I look forward to further expanding my expertise and contributing to new projects in this role. 

Can you tell us of any personal or professional achievements in your career so far? 

During my time at Jensen Hughes, I was promoted from Graduate Fire Engineer to Fire Engineer within two years of starting my career. I also received internal recognition awards from both the local team and the wider company, acknowledging my hard work and dedication.  

At Clarke Banks, I was promoted to Senior Fire Engineer within just 10 months of joining.  

As I have just reached five years of experience in the profession, my next goal is to become a Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers, with the ultimate aim of achieving chartership. 

What did you gain from your time at the University and were there any experiences during your time at university which particularly helped prepare you for life after graduation? 

In addition to the technical knowledge gained through lectures and tutorials, we had the opportunity to work on projects that closely mirrored real-life situations. These projects required collaboration with a wider design team, which included input from students in various other disciplines, such as electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering. This cross-disciplinary approach allowed me to appreciate how different fields contribute to a cohesive design and broadened my understanding of the complexities involved in engineering projects.  

Group projects and studying in social spaces like libraries helped me develop valuable social and communication skills. Working in teams was an integral part of my learning experience, and I quickly realised how important effective communication is when coordinating with design team members and clients. These skills have been essential in my current role, where collaboration and clear communication are key to the successful delivery of projects.  

In my fourth year, I had the opportunity to undertake a placement at a fire engineering company. This experience was pivotal in shaping my career decisions. During the placement, I gained hands-on experience with fire safety engineering in practice, working alongside professionals in the field. I was involved in a variety of projects, learning about the design process, fire safety regulations, and risk assessments. This placement gave me invaluable insight into what a career in fire engineering would entail and solidified my decision to pursue this path professionally. It confirmed that fire engineering aligned well with both my technical interests and my passion for ensuring safety in the built environment.  

On a personal level, moving out of my family home into student accommodation during my first year, and later into privately rented flats, taught me the value of independence. These experiences allowed me to learn how to manage my own life effectively and discover what works best for me in balancing both personal and academic responsibilities.  

Do you have any highlights or a favourite memory of your time at the university? 

I really enjoyed studying in the library with my friends. Although it was hard work and we spent more time there than I’d like to admit, we supported each other when we felt low and celebrated together when things went well.  

I also thoroughly enjoyed working on my thesis, which involved experiments in the structural and fire labs. I made my own clay and sand bricks from scratch and then heated them in the furnace. It was a fun and rewarding experience, providing a nice change from spending most of my time in front of a computer. Getting hands-on with the experiments was refreshing and gave me a deeper understanding of the concepts I had been studying.  

What advice would you give future students who are considering studying Engineering at Edinburgh? 

Aside from your studies, make the most of the city. Edinburgh is a beautiful place with plenty to offer, especially in the summer when festivals and events are in full swing. There’s something for everyone. Winter is also magical with the Christmas market and Hogmanay celebrations bringing the city to life.  

Make your first year a “social” year. Meet new people, explore new hobbies, and join societies. First year is the most relaxed, and the workload will intensify as your studies progress, so take advantage of the time to build friendships and experiences.  

Don’t hesitate to ask questions and reach out to your lecturers and tutors. They’re always happy to help, but they won’t know if you’re struggling unless you tell them! Other students are also a great resource, and it’s often easier to solve problems together.  

Lastly, do visit the Scottish Highlands. Scotland’s natural beauty is incredibly accessible, and it would be a shame not to explore it.