Profile Interview: Robyn Mckendrick, Project Coordinator

BGEN is committed to supporting the recruitment and retention of female employees across the business and one of the company’s Rising Stars and most recent new recruits is Robyn McKendrick.

Here, Robyn shares her thoughts on working in male-dominated environment, her biggest professional challenges and what she loves most about her job at BGEN

How did you begin your career with BGEN?

I started my BGEN journey in January 2023, when I was appointed a a Project Coordinator based in the Grangemouth office. It was a newly created position within the team, which I liked as I didn’t have to fill anyone’s boots!

What does your role involve?

I support the telemetry team on Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) projects and along with other tasks. My responsibilities include allocating sites to our engineers and ensuring that they have their Risk Assessment Methods Statements (RAMS) documentation, as well as site access details in advance of their visits. I also monitor and record site progress.

What does your average day look like?

Every day is different, which I love, but Fridays are always the busiest as we prepare for the week ahead.

What do you see as biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge is keeping track of changes. The scope of our work is huge – on average, we visit on around 30 sites a week on the PSTN project – and amends and updates can be made right up to the day we visit.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

I enjoy being busy, so this job suits me well. There is always something to be done in this role – you’re never quiet, so the days go by quickly.

Are you office-based or are you out and about on site?

I’m office based but I have had the opportunity to go out on site, on the PSTN project, to watch the engineers upgrade the PSTN line to 4G or broadband. This provides me with a brilliant insight and does wonders to bring to life the work that we do back in the office.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I’d recommend not dwelling on past mistakes and to be open to all future challenges.

What’s the best thing about working at BGEN?

When you walk into BGEN, the environment is relaxed, and everyone is always welcoming and willing to help. That’s quite unusual for such a big and successful organisation.

What is it like to be a woman in the engineering industry? Do you feel that your gender gives you a different perspective and experience from your male counterparts?

I’ve always worked in male dominated environments – and I come from a house full of men – so I don’t know what it’s like to live and work in any other circumstances. It’s the norm for me.

What BGEN has to say about Robyn.

‘Robyn has worked as a Project Coordinator in the telemetry team for six months now and, during this time, she has risen from an administrative role to being a vital player – overseeing our health and safety and scheduling for the PSTN replacement project.

She is a real asset to the project – quickly providing solutions to any day-to-day planning concerns, whilst now branching out into other projects whilst maintaining the very highest standards for our PSTN assignment’

Jonathan French, Telemetry Framework Manager at BGEN