Gerard Kirwan recently joined EDC as a Senior Mechanical Engineer in our Dublin Office. In this employee spotlight, we chat with Gerard about why he chose a career in Engineering, and also what drove him to join EDC and his tips and thoughts on the recruitment process with EDC.
What led you to a career in Engineering?
I have always had an interest in engineering from both a practical and a theory side. Building services engineering was not a discipline I knew existed before my final year in secondary school.
I chose engineering for the variety of work that the industry has and the almost unlimited career and personal development that it holds.
I studied for a higher certificate and a bachelor’s degree in Building services engineering at Waterford Institute of technology. Seeing the shift in the industry towards more sustainable solutions, I then went on to study for an honours degree in Sustainable Energy engineering.
I have been lucky that my experience has brought me from Tipperary to Dublin and, more recently, to Australia, where I worked with a building services consultancy for 5 years. The last 8 years of experience in Australia have given me real hands-on experience in both the design aspect of building services and the on-site practicalities of installation.
No two days are the same in this industry which keeps things interesting and helps maintain concentration during work days! A typical day at EDC would generally comprise daily team huddles, which are great for focusing the mind, mapping out your daily tasks, and setting clear objectives. This would usually be followed by design team meetings and site visits for the varied projects we have live throughout Dublin and beyond.
I have been lucky enough to work on a wide range of developments in my career to date, but one of my most valued achievements would have to be acting as project lead for a multi-million dollar co-working space fit out in Brisbane. There was great satisfaction from bringing the project from inception to final delivery whilst managing the M&E design team and client expectations.
The variety of the work here at EDC really cannot be understated. In the last 2 months since starting, I have worked on student accommodation, residential, school and commercial projects. One of the projects I am currently working on as part of the design team is a 193-bed student accommodation complex in Dublin’s north inner city. This project will provide vital and much-needed accommodation for students in an easily accessible area of Dublin city so I am really looking forward to seeing this project come to life!
Can you share your experience of the EDC hiring process?
EDC stood out as a progressive design consultancy that has some really exciting projects on the books. The opportunity for career progression was noticeable too, as they had recently introduced a new Associate Director tier. This shows how much trust they place in their employees.
The interview process was well structured, from the initial phone call with HR to the final interview stage. EDC stood out from competitors and other companies I previously interviewed with, as they engaged with me on a personal level and not like I was not just another number. They were really focused on career development, company culture and if I would be a right fit for the company and their values. My and the company’s ambitious goals and values aligned with each other, making it an easy decision to join EDC.
There is endless scope for career progression at EDC as the company’s structure actively promotes continuous professional development internally and externally. This is evident with the creation of the Associate Director’s tier of management and the encouragement of engineers to achieve chartership should they wish to pursue this.
Any tips for those looking to make a change in their career?
Don’t be afraid of outlining your career and ambitions in the interview as it is most likely EDC will have the right position for you and your career aspirations.
2023 Update
Gerard has now been promoted to Associate Director and leads our Galway Office. The opening of the Galway office at the end of 2022, shows EDC’s ambition to grow and expand its renowned progressive engineering consulting service. The strategic location of Galway allows EDC to serve the West and Northwest regions of Ireland. As office Director, Gerard is looking forward to collaborating with design, construction, and property professionals in the region.
My advice for those Engineers who are looking to make a change and progress their career is to have a chat with the staff here at EDC and find out for yourself why a move to EDC is the right move for your career.