As part of our brand-new Apprentice to Ambassador series, we spoke to Rebekah, who joined Balfour Beatty as an apprentice in 2020 and is now a full-time employee and STEM Ambassador.
Q. What is your job title, where are you based and how many years have you been an Ambassador?
I’m a Social Impact Coordinator at Balfour Beatty, working across Power, Transmission and Distribution projects. I am based in Canary Wharf but travel frequently to project locations across England and Wales. I’ve been a STEM Ambassador for a couple of years, but I have supported young people to understand the opportunities within STEM and construction for nearly five years.
Q. What's your background? What do you do in your day job?
I began my career with Balfour Beatty in late 2020 as an apprentice Health, Safety and Environment Technician before transitioning over to Sustainability and finding my passion in Social Impact three years ago. In my day job, I help deliver programmes that create positive outcomes for local communities, this includes organising school visits, careers events, and outreach activities that connect young people with real opportunities in the industry.
Balfour Beatty plc. is a leading international infrastructure group with 26,000 employees across the UK, US and Hong Kong
Q. Why did you become a STEM Ambassador?
I became a STEM Ambassador because I wanted to help break down barriers and stereotypes around careers in construction and STEM. I know how important it is for young people to see relatable role models and understand the different pathways available to them. Growing up, I didn’t have much awareness of the range of careers within STEM, particularly in construction, so I understand how easy it is for certain pathways to feel out of reach or “not for you.”
Through my role in social impact, I regularly see how powerful it is when young people are given the chance to engage directly with industry professionals, ask questions, and hear real stories. Becoming a STEM Ambassador felt like a natural extension of that, giving me the opportunity to contribute on a more personal level and help bridge that gap.
Q. Tell us about a moment that stuck with you. A young person who surprised you, or a session that felt really impactful.
One moment that really stood out was during a school visit where a student who initially said they “weren’t academic” became really engaged when we talked about hands-on roles in construction. By the end of the session, they were asking questions about apprenticeships and pathways into the industry. It was a great reminder that sometimes it’s just about showing young people a different perspective.
The DofE Gold 2023 Cohort Award Presentation Lunch and celebration of the Balfour Beatty cohort
Q. What inspired you at school? Did you hear about STEM?
During my time at Wilmington Academy (2013-2020), I was lucky enough to have STEM Ambassadors visit the school, which gave me an early insight into careers I wouldn’t have otherwise known about. Those sessions stood out because they brought learning to life, hearing directly from people in industry made STEM feel more relevant and accessible, rather than just something you study in the classroom.
That experience stayed with me. At the time, I still don’t think I fully understood the breadth of opportunities available, particularly within construction and the built environment, but it planted a seed. It showed me that there were real people behind these careers and that there were multiple pathways to success, not just the traditional academic route.
Looking back, those interactions played a big part in shaping my mindset and are a key reason why I’m so passionate about giving back now. Being a STEM Ambassador feels full circle, I’m now able to provide that same exposure and inspiration to young people, hopefully having a similar impact on their future thinking.
Q. What skills have you gained from volunteering?
Volunteering as a STEM Ambassador has strengthened my communication skills, especially in adapting messages for different audiences. It’s also helped build my confidence in public speaking, facilitation, and engaging with young people in a way that’s relatable and impactful.
Q. What do you love most about being an Ambassador?
What I enjoy most is seeing the impact firsthand, whether it’s a student asking questions they hadn’t considered before or leaving a session feeling more confident about their future. Knowing you’ve helped shape someone’s thinking, even in a small way, is really rewarding.
I also value how being a STEM Ambassador aligns with my role at Balfour Beatty, particularly in contributing towards our targets around education engagement and social impact. It’s a meaningful way to support those goals while also making a genuine difference on an individual level. Being able to connect what I do day to day with broader organisational commitments makes the experience even more fulfilling.
Overall, it’s the combination of personal impact and contributing to something bigger that I find most rewarding about being an ambassador.
Q. What would you say to someone considering becoming an Ambassador?
I’d encourage all individuals to become STEM Ambassadors, especially Balfour Beatty employees as the nature of the work we do is a great example of STEM careers. It’s a really rewarding way to give back, and you don’t need to be an expert, you just need to be willing to share your experiences. Even a single conversation can make a big difference to a young person.