Laila Janny Haddad

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Network Rail

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I decided to do a MSc in Crisis and Disaster Management where I then entered into a career in flood and climate risk management and as a project manager. This gave me hands on experience in climate analysis, flood investigations and managing flood resilience projects to name a few things, with the goal to increase the resilience of residents from climate related risks.

This experience and additional qualifications gave me the opportunity to enter into the civil engineering sector at Network Rail, where I continue to manage flood risk, oversee projects and respond to flood related incidents on the railway across the South of England.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

Whilst at Exeter, I discovered a passion for climate change and flood risk management. Archaeology modules on past climate change first sparked my interest, which grew further during my study abroad at the University of Western Australia, where I explored new subject areas.

I chose to move into civil engineering because I wanted a challenging role with an emergency response element, alongside project management and technical design.

I love that what I do has a direct impact on improving public safety and increasing the resilience of UK infrastructure from the impact of climate change.

I also really enjoy the variety my career offers. Being based in London gives me the chance to work on large-scale projects with national impact, while also travelling across the country for conferences, training, and site visits. I like that my role balances office-based project management with time on-site, as it means no two days are the same and I’m constantly learning in different environments.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was a team leader in the Enactus Society, where I started the project GROW. It focuses on introducing climate resilience/ flood resilience to a community in Cambodia, addressing several SDGs, namely 2. Zero Hunger, 4. Quality Education, 10. Reduced Inequality, 13. Climate Action.

The project is still running so I encourage you to check it out and the Enactus society as a whole. Enactus not only supported me in pursuing this passion but also gave me invaluable project management experience, which has been central to my career and helped me secure my first role in the sector.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

I loved the campus, the facilities are fantastic and I loved spending my time there.

The range of opportunities were a highlight; from international field trips to studying abroad at highly regarded universities. I always felt I could access advice and guidance, both for my studies and personal development, which made my time at Exeter especially rewarding and shaped me as a person.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

I chose Exeter for its beautiful campus, strong league table ranking, and the diverse range of modules offered in Archaeology.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

I say, don’t stress too much about whether you’ve picked the right subject to study, transferable skills and upskilling can open doors to many sectors. Be open to starting small; I moved quickly from an assistant role into management roles, and many of my peers have had the same experience.

Make the most of Exeter’s opportunities: careers workshops, CV support, volunteering, and internships (I did this twice). These were invaluable to me, and now, as someone who has experience reviewing applications, I see how few people know how to present themselves well. The university gives you that advantage – use it.