WSP’s Business Support Partner, Elia Jurado Marcos, talks about the challenges she first experienced when she moved to the UK from Spain, looking for a new career. She describes the joy she has found in a rewarding role in the Water Team at WSP.
Feeling truly engaged and inspired
“If I had the opportunity to live a second life, I’d send my application to the Water Team at WSP straight away. This might sound a bit cheesy, but since I moved from Spain to London, it is the first time that I feel confident enough to share my suggestions beyond what is considered pure administration," explains Elia.
Having her thinking challenged every day is what she enjoys the most in her role, and joining the Strategy Leadership calls, she sees the leader’s efforts to boost the team’s spirit to maximise success and that really empowers Elia.
"I feel fortunate because I am learning from the best leaders on how to drive a very talented team and that is priceless!" she says.
Joining a leading engineering professional services consultancy
At WSP, Elia considers herself a great example of diversity and inclusion. "Coming from a Spanish Media background, I am a foreign national woman, and mother of an 8-year-old. Due to personal reasons, I had to change the course of my life when I moved to London 11 years ago. It wasn’t easy and it took me years to find an office-based job, despite my University and Master’s degree."
It wasn’t until 2017 when Elia had the opportunity to join one of the world’s leading engineering professional services consultancies. She joined WSP as a Senior Secretary, one year later she was promoted to Personal Assistant and then promoted again to work as the Business Support to WSP's Head of Discipline, Blair Mitchell who is keen to actively hire diverse talent into the Water Team.
"Within the water team, they are giving me the space to take on new responsibilities, such us supporting our presence on the Where Women Work careers platform. When I take part in the People Forum calls and I am involved in marketing activities, I feel the adrenalin running through my veins. Such a great feeling!"
Opportunities to grow and develop a career
Elia appreciates completely the flexibility and compassion that she has have received along her journey within the company, and overall the opportunities of growing and developing her career.
However, not everything always easy - according to Elia who advises that: "If you want to succeed, you need to work hard. This doesn’t mean working extra hours and not being able to take your breaks - it means getting involved, sharing ideas, caring for and being a good team player. If you enjoy all of these things, then WSP is the right place for you."
Elia says she is very grateful to her manager Blair and all her further colleagues within WSP's Water Team for their continuous support and team work.
"I give a big thank you to Blair and others at WSP for believing in me and for making me feel a valued part of the Water Team,” says Elia.
Apply for a job in WSP's Water Team
Water management has become a great concern worldwide. With population growth and a decline in water resources, communities have been prioritizing efficient water resource management and seeking sustainable solutions to reduce consumption and loss. WSP takes a holistic and sustainable approach to managing and minimizing the use of natural resources.
There are many areas to work within WSP's Water Team including:
- Water Management and Infrastructure
- Asset Management for Water
- Dams and Retaining Structures
- Hydraulic and Hydrological Modelling
- Water and wastewater treatment
- Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
- Water Risk Management
- Water Supply and Distribution
- Mine Water Management
- Water Management for Oil and Gas
Find out more about WSP's water management focus - then research all their latest jobs to embark on a rewarding career helping WSP address this critical area.
Find out more
Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.