Alise Germova

We asked Alise…

A day in your life

No two days are the same, which is why I love it.

One day I might be using data and mapping tools like ArcGIS to understand flood risk in a community.

The next, I’m designing drainage tanks or weirs that will help protect homes and rivers.

I spend time speaking to clients like Yorkshire Water, making sure we understand what communities really need.

But the most important part of my day is remembering who we are designing for. Families. Wildlife. Future generations.

Engineering is never just about pipes and numbers. It’s about responsibility.

It’s about asking: Will this make the world safer? Kinder? More resilient?

Every drawing represents someone’s home. Every storm overflow solution represents a river trying to survive.

That perspective keeps me grounded.

Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineering technician, but I’m also…

…someone who believes engineering is an act of care.

I’m a daughter of a single mother. I’m a proud lesbian woman.

I’m someone who understands what it feels like to grow up without privilege.

And I carry that perspective into every room I enter.

Name one civil or infrastructure engineering myth you’d like to bust.

That engineering is just for maths geniuses.

Engineering is about problem-solving, creativity, teamwork and empathy.

Yes, numbers matter, but so do communication skills, leadership and understanding people.

How does your role contribute to addressing climate change?

I work in water and flood resilience, which sits right at the centre of climate adaptation.

As extreme weather increases, we need smarter drainage, better storm overflow solutions and more sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and nature-based design. 

My role helps deliver solutions that reduce pollution, protect rivers and build long-term resilience for communities.

Sustainability isn’t an add-on. It has to be built into every decision we make.

How does your role contribute to making the industry more diverse and inclusive?

Representation matters.

As a woman from an underprivileged background, an immigrant and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I know what it feels like not to see yourself reflected in leadership.

I’ve experienced doubt and strength. That dual perspective drives me to create space for others.

As chair of the Pride Network in the UK and Ireland, I worked with senior leaders to influence policy, partner with organisations like Stonewall, push for measurable change, and hold our industry accountable for meaningful progress.

But inclusion isn’t just policy. 

It’s everyday behaviour. It’s mentoring apprentices. It’s encouraging young women to speak up in meetings. It’s reminding people that different lived experiences make better engineering decisions.

Diverse teams design more compassionate infrastructure. And compassion and inclusion aren’t just values, they're essential to building better, more thoughtful infrastructure.

What role does digital technology play in your job?

Digital tools are central to modern engineering.

I use ArcGIS to analyse flood risk and inform sustainable design decisions.

Data helps us predict future climate scenarios and design smarter solutions.

We also use digital review tools to collaborate efficiently and communicate designs clearly to clients and stakeholders.

Technology allows us to be evidence-led and future-focused.

What motivated you to become professionally qualified? 

Becoming qualified as an Engineering Technician (EngTech) was about proving to myself that I belonged in this industry.

Balancing university, full-time work and professional qualification was one of the hardest things I’ve done.

But I wanted to demonstrate commitment, competence and resilience.

It wasn’t just about letters after my name. It was about confidence.

What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career?

It gave me credibility early in my career and showed that apprenticeships are a powerful pathway.

It’s opened doors, strengthened my professional voice and given me the confidence to aim for incorporated and eventually chartered status.

How did the ICE and your employer support you to become professionally qualified? 

I had mentors who guided me through the process, helped me structure my evidence and encouraged me when it felt overwhelming.

My employer supported me with development opportunities, responsibility on projects and leadership exposure.

That combination made a huge difference.

How has being a member helped your career? 

ICE membership connects me to a wider professional community.

It’s helped me build networks, access learning resources and understand the bigger picture of where our industry is heading, especially around sustainability and climate resilience.

It also reinforces that I’m part of something bigger than just my day job.

Any personal causes or hobbies?

Engineering isn't just technical, it’s ethical.

The systems we design determine whether communities flood. Whether rivers recover. Whether wildlife survives. Whether future generations inherit something better than what we have today.

As engineers, we sit at the intersection of humanity and the natural world. That is a privilege and a responsibility.

I care deeply about building an industry where everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality or background, feels they belong.

Because when people feel safe and valued, they design better. And better design means a better world.

I’m only at the beginning of my journey, and I’m excited to see where it takes me, whether that’s across the UK or across the world.

Engineering gave me opportunity. Now I want to use it to protect people, animals and the planet we all share.