top of page

USA

UK

USA

AUS

Grey background fading to blue
Water flowing over a dam in Athlone, Ireland, with a townscape in the background.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Flood Modeller to anyone. The software features, value for money and technical support are second to none."
oakshire logo 1.png
Thumbnail.jpg

The Changing Tide of Flood Modelling Careers

  • oliverashton3
  • Jul 24
  • 2 min read

Updated: Oct 6

Katie Pearson, Senior Associate Director at Jacobs



When I graduated in 2003, I had no idea that engineering consultancy and flood modelling would shape my career. Aside from a single university lecture on the Flood Studies Report books, I had never heard of flood modelling. Fast forward 22 years, and I am incredibly proud of my career so far, especially in my new role that allows me to share my journey and promote careers in engineering consultancy and modelling.


One area I am particularly passionate about is career development. I enjoy supporting early-career professionals, helping them understand the pathways to chartership, and guiding them as their careers evolve. Whether you are just starting out or looking to take the next step, there is great value in exploring how we grow and thrive professionally.





As a CIWEM Assessor and Reviewer and a former member of the CIWEM Professional Standards Committee, I understand how daunting it can be to demonstrate the 14 mandatory competencies required for chartership. The process, from writing your application to preparing for the professional interview, can feel overwhelming. That’s why I enjoy sharing practical tips and advice to help candidates from modelling backgrounds gain and showcase the right experience and confidence.


The water sector is constantly evolving. Its challenges are becoming more complex, which is what makes it such a dynamic and rewarding field. However, we also face hurdles in expanding our teams, retaining talent, and ensuring diversity. Gone are the days when our teams consisted almost exclusively of civil engineering graduates. Today, we welcome professionals from a wide range of academic backgrounds and non-traditional paths, apprentices, returnees, veterans, and more. Our work is stronger for it.


But it’s not just about focusing on our own career paths. We all have a role to play in inspiring the next generation. The simplest way to do that? Talk. Share your story. What you do and why you love it. Consider giving a talk at your old school or university or participating in a careers event. Perhaps you have connections through friends or family, or your organisation runs a STEM outreach program. If you work or volunteer with young people outside of your day job, speak to them with pride about the opportunities in our field.


Want to learn more about career development and CIWEM? Join me at the Flood Modeller 2025 conference, where I'll be sharing insights on technical career development for modellers, including advice for getting chartered. 


Katie Pearson

Katie is a Senior Associate Director in the Water Catchment Management team at Jacobs with over 20 years' experience in flood risk and water management consultancy.


As a technical leader in global engineering consultancy, she has a passion for technical excellence and quality, the ability to lead teams and expertise in inclusivity and mentoring. Katie is passionate about the promotion of STEM education and careers and is committed to the professional development of colleagues in the wider industry.


bottom of page