Building connections: tactical growth, mentorship, and networking

Two Equans Sci-Tech professionals, a man in a blue striped shirt and a woman in a striped sleeveless top, sitting at a desk with a white microphone and documents, recording a podcast episode in a bright office."

Building connections: tactical growth, mentorship, and networking

Building connections: tactical growth, mentorship, and networking

Two Equans Sci-Tech professionals, a man in a blue striped shirt and a woman in a striped sleeveless top, sitting at a desk with a white microphone and documents, recording a podcast episode in a bright office."

At Equans Sci-Tech (formerly known as Bouygues Energies & Services), we believe that growth comes from being tactical about discomfort, not just pushing yourself randomly. To celebrate our national learning campaigns, we released a special episode of our Building Connections Podcast featuring a deep-dive conversation between two of our colleagues, Sarah Frankland and Ahsan Zafar.

Career journeys rooted in curiosity

Our colleagues' discussion explored how learning, connection, and mentoring have shaped their unique professional paths:

  • Sarah Frankland (Head of Validation and Regulatory Affairs): Sarah shared how her background in vaccine research led her into pharmaceutical manufacturing and NHS system validation. Her journey highlights the power of transferable skills and the need for adaptability in highly regulated industries. She emphasizes that being dynamic and honest with clients is the key to building trust during audits.
  • Ahsan Zafar (Senior Revit Engineer and BIM Lead): Ahsan described his transition from chemical engineering into life sciences design and build. He attributes his success in our fast-paced environment to a mindset that is thorough, ambitious, and active.

The power of intentional networking

Both guests emphasized that networking is a pivotal driver of development, often leading to unexpected opportunities. Sarah recalled how a single chat at a networking event once led to a major clean room project collaboration. To help our teams build confidence, they shared several practical tips:

  • Prepare Practical Scripts: Use concise, pre-planned introductions to explain who you are and what you do.
  • Understand Your Audience: Taking time to find common professional or personal ground helps build rapport and opens doors to meaningful talk.

  • Be Proactive with Time: Don't wait for learning to come to you; block out time in your diary—even just one hour a week—to focus on your development.

     

Mentorship that makes a difference

Here at Equans Sci-Tech mentoring is a cornerstone of our culture. Sarah spoke about using an external mentor to shape her leadership style, while also mentoring others internally to improve their presentation skills. Ahsan echoed this, noting that mentors are essential for navigating a large organisation and identifying new strategic opportunities.

We're proud to support our teams in building meaningful careers through these connections. As we look ahead, we continue to ask our teams: "Are you making time for connection or leaving growth to chance?".

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