Hi everyone my name is Patricia Mitchell and I'm a project manager working at Siemens Mobility.
I'm currently working on the Deep Tube Upgrade Project, where I'm primarily responsible for
working with our engineering team and suppliers to build a mock-up which is a full-scale model
of the interior of the train for testing and investigation purposes before the real trains
build. I carry out daily project management tasks such as managing risk budgets changes
and perform active roles in maintaining client relationships such as attending client meetings.
My current project is the most interesting project that I've worked on. This project
is one of the biggest transport projects. It will start by building 94 new Piccadilly
line trains which will help to improve travel experience for passengers as the
trains will be able to hold more people. The trains will be fully air-conditioned and with
new technology should be able to provide one train every 135 seconds at peak time.
I did not start my career in the engineering field, I didn't even know what the different roles
associated with engineering were to be honest. When I was at secondary school I always thought
engineering was boring or it wasn't a profession for girls. I read Law and Psychology at university
and then went on to do the Legal Practice course and even worked as a Trainee Solicitor. After
giving up my job in the legal world, I thought I would take the next job I was offered and it so
happened to be in the engineering sector and it changed my views immensely. Engineering,
I find not only include people who physically work on the construction but those working in offices
and dealing with clients such as project managers, accountants, document managers.
My skills, that I acquired whilst working in my previous roles, I find were transferable.
I took an unlikely route into my job as a Project Manager. I started working for TfL as part of a
project team on several of their station upgrade projects. Once there I completed a fundamental
course in Project Management. I later joined Siemens as a Document Manager where Ialso worked
as part of a project team. I really enjoyed being part of the project team and seeing a
project from the concept design stage where it's just some drawings on paper through to build and
completion. This fascinated me and I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the engineering
sector. I did not have a degree in engineering and I didn't want to go back to university to
study engineering. I then looked at my personal skills and attributes and having already done
the first part of the Project Management course, I decided to join the Project Management scheme
at Siemens and I completed my course and here I am today as a Project Manager working on one of
the biggest transport projects. Thank you for watching, I look forward to seeing you at our
Inspire Engineering Day at the Acton Depot soon. In the meantime follow London Transport Museum on
social media or find out more about our Schools sessions on the London Transport Museum website.