Annette Dentith, Principal Waste Manager at Devon County Council
It’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science! Each year, we like to showcase one of the amazing women working in Science at Devon County Council. This year, we are featuring Annette, a Principal Waste Manager for Devon County Council’s Waste Management Department.
Although she first trained as an Engineer, her path changed when she revisited an interest from university and worked her way to the top! Read on for her story…
What was school like for you? Did you always want to be an engineer?
“I did well at school, achieving 4 A levels in Maths, Biology, Geography and General Studies. My father was a civil engineer and I was a practical youngster who liked making things, so I decided that perhaps engineering would be a good career.”
What did you study at university?
“Generally, civil engineers need to have studied Physics and Chemistry, but my varied A levels allowed me to take Civil and Environmental Engineering at Newcastle University. Engineering courses are quite intense but endlessly exciting due to laboratory sessions and field trips, for example. University isn’t all about study and I was also a keen sportswoman and have continued to compete over the years. In the winter I played hockey for the University and threw the javelin in the summer months. Since university I spent 10 years rowing for the Exeter Rowing Club and currently compete in running events and triathlons.
You don’t necessarily need a degree to join the world of civil engineering; you can do college courses or train for a trade, which will give you opportunities to do outdoor and active jobs if you don’t fancy sitting at a desk for too long!”
What do you do at Devon County Council (DCC)?
“I am a Principal Waste Manager looking after a small team who cover a wide range of subjects e.g. educating citizens and school children to reduce, reuse and recycle their waste; planning what to do with household waste in Devon; and working with partners across Devon to improve the management of waste. Devon has a high recycling rate and this work means that we continue to improve.”
How did you start working at DCC?
“I trained as a Civil Engineer at DCC which included working on construction sites and learning how to design roads and bridges. There were also training courses to attend to increase my knowledge. I became qualified after about 5 years. Civil engineering is about designing, building and maintaining all sorts of structures like dams, bridges, high rise buildings and can mean a career in this country and around the world. I spent the first half of my career in the Highways team at DCC. I enjoyed working on roads and bridges, but I had studied waste management as part of my degree and I was interested in the subject. When a job came up in the team at DCC, I applied and was successful I progressed from a Senior Waste Manager to Principal Waste Manager by learning on the job, undertaking training and following a programme of continuing professional development.”
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
“I am not sure there is a typical day, they are so varied! As a civil engineer on site, you could be surveying, checking the concrete, or doing some calculations. You could also be involved in discussing a road proposal at an exhibition for the public and hearing what they think. A day in the Waste Management office might involve; talking with people at other councils about the budget they need for recycling, checking in on team members regarding their work tasks; speaking at a webinar; discussing litter and fly tipping with the police; planning or attending an exhibition or writing a report for the newspapers.”
What is the best part of your job?
“I would say it is the variety. So many different things can occur in a week. In my civil engineering career, it would be getting out and about on a construction site, working as a team and being part of building something that will stand for many years. In waste management it is feeling that you have helped people understand how to recycle so the world will be a better place.”
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in a science career?
“I would say, work hard to achieve a good number of GCSEs and then get advice on your next steps to ensure you keep your options open for your future career. There are many different careers within STEM so you will then need to consider your options; would you like a vocational career? Are you academically inclined? Would you like to work abroad? Or maybe laboratory work? An apprenticeship might suit you or further study at college or University. Ask questions, be curious, find out what a mechanical/civil/mining/chemical engineer does? Then go for it! The world is your oyster 😊”
