Emerging Talent winner shares her journey after the IQA 2022

Q: What was your journey into the quality profession?  

A: My journey began in 2020 with the onset of the pandemic. Like many people, I was initially furloughed, but then I was approached to join the quality team at Jacobs on a six-month secondment. I thought ‘what have I got to lose?’ and jumped at the chance. I did on-the-job training and learned a lot from the team. I enrolled on training courses to develop my knowledge and was given the opportunity to take the lead on many tasks.

By the time my secondment finished, I had decided that the quality profession was for me. I have now worked within the Jacobs Energy Security and Technology [ES&T] Quality and Performance team for three years and learn something new every day. Those I work with are extraordinary and without them I would not have had the knowledge or confidence to apply for the 2022 Emerging Talent Award.

Q: What do you think the impact of your win has been on your career? 

A: My work has continued to evolve with additional tasks and responsibilities. I completed both the internal audit and lead auditor courses, which has allowed me to complete audits for the business, focusing on the application of ISO 44001 and Supply Chain Requirements.

I feel lucky to have been given the chance to develop my skills further, which has led to me achieving the CQI Practitioner membership.

I have also started volunteering for the Next Nuclear Generation nuclear special interest group as an Events and Sponsorship Lead. This has been a great opportunity to speak to more people with similar interests, and I have also had the chance to contribute to Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics [STEM] events and learning, and the development of the Nuclear Quality Knowledge revision.

Q: How do you think that the quality profession can better sell quality as a career, particularly for younger people?
 
A: I didn’t know quality was a ‘thing’ until I completed my degree. You could argue that is too late and I would agree; quality should be something taught from a much younger age. 

There are many ways interest in the quality profession can be kindled in children. For me the most important thing is to make quality fun. The day an eight-year-old says “I want to be a quality engineer” instead of “I want to be a footballer” we will have cracked it! 

STEM does much currently to promote careers, but there is a long way to go. ‘Aim big’ is my mantra and it applies here. If money were no object, I would create a children’s television programme similar to Postman Pat or Bob the Builder. Both stories focused on a profession and you grow up with the stories ingrained in your mind. Let’s have a children’s TV programme based on quality – it might be the next big thing!

Q: What do you feel is the main challenge currently facing the quality profession?  

A: Attracting the next generation is an issue. I think everyone should do an element of quality work as part of their work induction. I see it as the invisible magic that takes place behind the scenes, and other people often assume it is something that just happens. Yet there is a lot of hard work by a huge team that goes on to ensure quality. By including a quality element at induction, we would develop a more rounded culture of understanding. However, this works both ways – I am sure many project managers or engineers also wish a quality professional had completed work in their field too.

Q: What do you believe is the biggest emerging risk in your industry? 

A: Counterfeit fraudulent suspect items (CFSI) represent a huge risk and can seriously damage the reputation of a company, product or service. It is a subject that has been highlighted by UKAS after it found many counterfeit certificates and false claims of UKAS accreditation. 
 

"If you are given the opportunity to try something new, give it a go. Like me, you may try something you never thought of and it could be the best decision you ever made."

Shauna Davis PCQI, Quality Support Engineer at Jacobs

Q: Both the ESG and EDI agendas are key focuses at present – how do you think the quality profession can assist with this work? 

A: Without intending it, quality is already assisting with the work of ESG. Quality helps us achieve things right first time, reducing the environmental impact of a product or service as there is no re-work needed to create a suitable outcome. As quality professionals, we are minimising the social impact by achieving the desired outcome more quickly. 

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is something high on the agenda for many companies. This year, I was privileged to be asked to judge the Emerging Talent category of the CQI’s International Quality Awards and it was great to see the vast range of applicants from different backgrounds. The CQI is a great advocate of EDI and, through this, improvements will flow into the day-to-day quality of life and we will achieve an even more diverse workforce.

Q: What are your professional development ambitions and how do you intend to fulfil them? 

A: My aim is to work towards CQI Chartership and this is constantly at the back of my mind. I took responsibility for overseeing the Jacobs Global World Quality Week celebrations in November, partly because it sounded fun and partly because it allowed me to focus on the leadership aspect of the criteria. I also hope to work my way up the quality profession ladder, further developing my knowledge.

Q: What advice would you give to others who are at the start of a quality career? 

A: I see quality as a magic dust that is sprinkled across everything but is only noticed when something goes wrong. As a quality professional, you will be kept busy and no two days are the same. Be ready for any question, and be prepared to back up your answer; you will always be asked ‘why?’. I’ve learned a lot from my workmates who have become my friends over the past three years, so take every chance you have to learn something.
 
If you are given the opportunity to try something new, give it a go. Like me, you may try something you never thought of and it could be the best decision you ever made.