Megan Shields: From English degree to Amey's Assurance Graduate programme
When Megan Shields graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in English Literature in July 2025, a career in infrastructure was not what she had imagined.
Like many graduates, she was excited about starting her career but open-minded about where her degree might take her. When she came across Amey’s graduate opportunities, she was intrigued, but also wondered whether moving into a business so closely associated with engineering and technical disciplines might be too much of a leap, questioning if she would understand the industry given her background?
Just a few months later, Megan joined Amey as an Assurance Graduate and quickly realised how wrong those assumptions were.
Building confidence and developing new skills
Now working within Health, Safety, Environment and Quality, Megan has helped develop a competency management system to track and monitor workforce certifications. What she enjoys most, however, is the opportunity to work with people across the business, build relationships and see how her work supports teams and drives improvement.
“There is so much more to Amey than engineering,” Megan says. “Not everyone is wearing PPE and a hard hat. There are so many different roles and routes you can take.”
Starting her first graduate role inevitably meant learning a completely new industry from scratch. From getting to grips with unfamiliar terminology to finding her place in a large organisation, there were moments when Megan felt outside her comfort zone.
But through the graduate programme, support from colleagues and the Early Careers community, she began building her confidence, developing new skills and establishing a network across the business.
“Don’t worry, trust the process and be open to everything. The more you do something, the better you become at it, and eventually everything starts to click.”
That growing confidence also encouraged Megan to take on opportunities beyond her day-to-day role. She has presented to senior colleagues, connected with people across different areas of Amey and, ultimately, decided to help create the kind of network that had been so important to her own experience.
“Apply, go for it and believe in yourself. People genuinely want you to do well.”
Creating the change she wanted to see
Having experienced first-hand the value of building a network early in her career, Megan saw an opportunity to help other women do the same.
Alongside her co-chair, Amy Proffit, she helped establish the Early Careers Women at Amey Network, creating a space where women at the beginning of their careers could connect, share experiences and support one another.
Starting something new as a graduate felt daunting, and the idea was not met with a straightforward yes at first. When Megan and Amy shared their proposal, they were challenged to explain the network’s purpose and the value it would bring. Rather than discouraging them, the feedback helped them sharpen the idea and think more strategically about what they wanted to achieve.
Once they had developed a clearer vision centred on confidence, community and support for early-career women, the Early Careers team and Women @ Amey chairs encouraged them to take it forward.
What began as an idea has since grown into a network of around 80 members, creating opportunities for connection, development and support across Amey.
“The network has broadened my horizons. I now know people in so many different areas of the business, and I’m proud to have helped build something that can become bigger and better in the future.”
For Megan, the experience has been about more than launching a network. It has shown her how much her confidence has grown since joining Amey and that being early in your career does not mean waiting to make an impact.
That work has also been recognised through a nomination for the Looking Out for Each Other Award at Amey’s A*Stars Awards, the company’s employee recognition awards celebrating colleagues and teams making a positive contribution across the business.
Less than a year after wondering whether she belonged in the infrastructure industry at all, Megan is now helping to create a community where others can find their place too.
Her advice to anyone wondering whether Amey could be for them is simple:
“Apply, go for it and believe in yourself. People genuinely want you to do well. If you have questions, people help. If you have ideas, people give you the confidence and support to bring them to life.”
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