By sharing your experiences, you can help current pupils understand the many routes into engineering and technology.
Andy - The engineer who went back into the classroom
"Much is expected from those to whom much is given."
A Levels: Chemistry, Physics, Maths and General Studies
At KES: Before 2000
Current role: Engineering Consultant and University Supervisor
Andy has spent much of his life solving problems.
After studying Natural Sciences and Chemical Engineering at Cambridge, he worked across the pharmaceutical and engineering sectors before specialising in process safety, helping organisations understand and manage potentially serious industrial risks.
His work has taken him around the globe, including China, Russia, India, Japan, Thailand and much of Europe.
What he enjoys most is knowing that his work helps protect people and resources.
“The work is worthwhile – saves lives and resources.”
Alongside his professional career, Andy completed a PhD examining why European and American companies choose to invest in countries such as India and Indonesia.
Yet one of the most significant chapters of his life came much later.
In his fifties, he made the bold decision to retrain as a teacher and spent three years working in a comprehensive school.
“It was very hard; I couldn’t do it – but I did not regret trying.”
That experience reinforced his belief that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, even when success is not guaranteed.
Looking back on KES, Andy values the sense of responsibility that accompanied his education.
For pupils today, his message is:
“If it’s important to you, go for it.”
