16 February 2026

Working abroad in Ireland has transformed Jessica Cheng’s career goals, strengthened her technical skills and provided invaluable experiences that combine professional growth with personal adventure.

Born and raised in Canada, Jessica Cheng dreamt of pursuing a career in the built environment, so she jumped at the chance to explore Europe and work as an engineer in Ireland with our team.

We caught up with her to hear about her experiences and learn how she’s embraced life in Ireland.

 

Jessica Cheng blog

I grew up with the dream of pursuing a career as an architect, especially during my last few years of high school. Eager to learn more, I was interviewed by an architect whilst at school. During the interview, he pointed out that my questions were less architecture related, but rather more engineering focused. As a result, my interest in engineering grew immensely then. I also enjoyed physics and maths, and my grades were strong in those areas too, so I thought, why not give it shot!

At the beginning of 2025, I began exploring internship opportunities near home when an unexpected opportunity came my way — a position in Boston. It was my first time leaving home for work, and the experience felt both exciting and overwhelming.

Fast forward to December, when I attended my company’s Christmas party feeling anxious about what the future might hold. By pure chance, I struck up a brief conversation with a former intern from Waterman Moylan. It wasn’t a long chat, but it was inspiring and left an impression. The job he was describing in Ireland sounded exactly like what I had been looking for, whilst also being in Europe – a place I had dreamt of working.

There are many reasons Ireland appealed to me. Being immersed in a new culture and its people excited me. The hiking trails, breathtaking mountains, and a bonus of a close friend of mine studying in Dublin all added to the draw, whilst also being on the doorstep of the rest of Europe.

Dublin-viewpoint-north

Waterman Moylan is a cosmopolitan company, hiring people from all different parts of the world and bringing together expertise from so many different countries. Its so exciting hearing and learning from different cultures and seeing how we can all come together in one place with shared goals and interests.

Growing up as a professional athlete, I believed staying home was essential to maintain and improve as a player. Home meant comfort: family, friends, and familiarity. I rarely had to put myself out there or face discomfort and change. Yet, I had always dreamed of living and working in Europe.

Now, having this opportunity, I know my younger self would be proud. Working and living abroad has been challenging but incredible. It has shifted my goals: I’m less focused on staying close to home and more eager to continue working internationally for the next few years, or even permanently. I love the challenge, the travelling, the change, and most of all, the people I’ve met along the way. The kindness and support I’ve received in Ireland have been overwhelming, and I couldn’t feel more fortunate.

Jessica-Cheng-mentoring-blog

Professionally, I’ve noticed differences between engineering practices in Canada and Ireland. While the principles are similar, the building codes differ significantly. For example, Canada designs for heavier snow and seismic loads, which aren’t as critical in Ireland.

The work culture, however, feels familiar. Every workplace has its own dynamic, but overall, Ireland and Canada share similar values. What stands out most here is how supportive the Dublin team has been. From day one, my associate Damien ensured I had meaningful tasks and even arranged safety training so I could go on-site. When he was away, he made sure I had work lined up. I’d also like to mention Cian, who kindly took time every day during my first weeks to answer questions and make sure I felt supported.

One of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on is Holybanks, where I focused on townhouse design. Starting with preliminary drawings, I completed load takedowns using Tedds, Excel, and manual calculations, then sized foundations with RC CAD and prepared mark-ups for drafting. This project was particularly challenging because of its unique precast structure, slanted walls, and varied load-bearing beams. At first, I felt overwhelmed, but by asking questions and breaking down the problem, I simplified the process and gained confidence.

I also enjoyed designing highway and road post foundations according to UK building codes, learning how wind loading is influenced by typography, land use, and location. These experiences reinforced my curiosity; always asking why, how, and what. Understanding the reasoning behind design decisions has been invaluable.

While some internships can feel more task-oriented than developmental, this placement has been a genuinely valuable learning experience. I’ve been challenged, supported, and encouraged to think critically. To students considering an international placement, I’d say if you have the chance, take it. Opportunities like this are rare. Even if it feels daunting, it’s temporary, and it might just change your life. Put yourself out there, embrace the challenge, and enjoy the journey. Life is too short to miss out on experiences like this!

Finally, thank you to Waterman Moylan for this incredible opportunity. I’m deeply grateful for the support and the chance to grow both personally and professionally.

For more information about our internship programme, click here.