In conversation with Tara Maiorano

“I have loved the feeling of being on a construction site since the first day I attended Constructionarium.”

- Tara Maiorano

In honour of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), we have a series of eye-opening interviews with inspiring women currently working in the engineering sector.  

Image: Tara Maiorano

Tara Maiorano, 34, is a Site Engineer at Carey’s Civil Engineering and a mum to a three-year-old girl. She is currently working on a challenging top-down project on Curzon Street in Mayfair. She was recently shortlisted for the WICE Best Young Women in Construction Award and also featured in the  Catalyst for Change Exhibition at Arup. 

What project are you working on now, and what’s your role?

I am currently working on a project in Green Park as a site engineer. It is an innovative top-down construction project that incorporates bearings. These bearings are designed to provide an acoustic and vibration barrier between the building and the low-frequency ground-borne noise and vibration generated from the underground trains that run in close proximity to the building.

What does an average day at work look like?

Two years ago I became responsible for setting out the first of two levels of the superstructure and then for the whole top-down construction. I have since moved onto the quality aspect of the project which means inspecting all reinforcement pre-pours, checking concrete quality and the finished results of a pour. I also work with the setting out engineers and provide them with all the necessary information to conduct their work.

How did you get into the industry? 

I got into the construction industry in April 2015 when I attended Constructionarium as part of a university module. At the Constructionarium, together with Careys, my current employer, I helped build a 1:16 scale foundation and steel frame model of the Gherkin. This inspired me to pursue a career in construction.

What do you love about the construction industry?

I have loved the feeling of being on a construction site since the first day I attended Constructionarium. I could see myself working in construction for the rest of my days. I love every single aspect of it, from the smell of fresh concrete to touching the concrete surface a day after a concrete pour. The things that can be achieved from the process of concreting is fascinating! 

What is the biggest misconception about construction?

Now more than ever, I would say the misconception that the construction industry is made up of just men. This is true to some degree because industry is dominated by men. However, several women like myself work in the industry and try to encourage more women to join the industry! 

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened at work?

The funniest thing is when new starters or other traders ask me for toilet paper or to clean a spill on the floor thinking that I’m the cleaner and then seeing their faces once I tell them that I’m the engineer.

If you could change anything about the industry what would it be?

Surely the misconception of construction being a male-only industry.

Would you recommend the construction industry to a young person, and why?

Absolutely! I enjoying every second of the work I get to do. The company I currently work for always try to recruit young university students that attend Constructionarium, particularly encouraging young women to see the benefits of a career in construction!