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Career in Electrical Engineering: A 26-Year-Old's Journey from Electrician to Project Lead
- Teddie Casterton
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
When you talk to Ryan, you realise quickly that his calm, understated manner hides a relentless drive.
At just 26, he’s already led two of MEL’s most significant 2026 projects: major installations at Royal Holloway University and Eton College’s prestigious Provost’s Lodge.
But none of this was part of some perfectly mapped-out masterplan.
His journey started in a far more ordinary way: as a 16-year-old apprentice working for a one-man-band electrician:
“I spent two years with him. It was a good start, but I wanted broader experience,” Ryan remembers.
So he moved into a commercial environment, finishing his apprenticeship surrounded by bigger teams, bigger jobs, and the first hints of the structure and standards he now lives by.
But the key to getting into that environment was his experience.
Employers value relevant work experience, and work experience is essential to gaining employment in electrical engineering.
Even after qualifying and getting his gold card, he still felt he was seen as “the apprentice” - a feeling that pushed him to look elsewhere.
“When I came to MEL about three years ago, they had positions going for electricians. At the start, I was doing smaller jobs, moving site to site every couple of days.”
But the bigger jobs weren’t far away.
The Royal Holloway Electrical Engineering Project
When a small studio project at Royal Holloway came up, Ryan was given the chance to run it. It was meant to be a gentle introduction. It became much more.
“That first job gave me confidence. I knew I had it in me, I’d just never had the opportunity.”
The success of that project led to a larger studio job at the same university, and then the flagship 3D lab; a complex, high-profile install with multiple lads working under him.
By then, he had completed his 2391 test and inspection qualification with MEL’s support.
The Provost Lodge Electrical Engineering Project
And then came the Provost’s Lodge at Eton College.
“It’s funny—I didn’t really understand the magnitude of it at the time,” he laughs. “People kept saying, ‘Do you know how big this is?’ But I just had my head down. Only once we finished it did I look back and think, ‘Actually, yeah… that was pretty huge.’”
Running the Provost’s Lodge meant overseeing a team of five, managing the main distribution cupboard himself, and handling the expectations of one of the most prestigious institutions in the country.
It was a long project — close to a year — and one that pulled Ryan further off the tools and deeper into project leadership.
What Project Leadership Really Means
In simple terms, an electrical project manager is responsible for overseeing the design, installation and delivery of electrical systems, ensuring everything runs safely, efficiently and on schedule.
There’s no single route into the role.
Some project managers arrive through university degrees or formal apprenticeships, while others build their way up through hands-on experience. Ryan followed the latter path.
And for him, this project marked a new stage in his career — a shift from technical execution to leading teams, and driving projects from start to finish.
The Surprising Challenge: Managing People
Ask Ryan about the biggest shift in his career and he doesn’t talk about technical skills.
He talks about people.
“At 26, I didn’t expect to be managing teams already. I love the install work."
But when you’re running a job, you’re not just thinking about yourself—you're thinking about every possible thing that could go wrong, making sure everyone knows what they’re doing, keeping the standard high.”
He’s honest about the balance.
“There are days where I think, ‘I’d love to just turn up, grab my tools, and crack on.’ But I’ve always been driven. I want to achieve the highest I can. And I know this is the route I’ve always wanted.”
He’s also learned that effective management is less about authority and more about consistency.
“If everyone’s on the same wavelength—why we’re doing the job, what the standard is—then managing is easy. It’s when that starts slipping that the problems come. Structure and planning keep everything smooth. Without that, people lose focus.”
And that attention to structure isn’t just a work thing—it’s how he’s wired.
“If you don’t have a plan, that’s when things fall apart—not just at work, but in life.
"I can’t tell you exactly where I learned it. Probably just being on site from 16, watching people, taking a bit from each of them. When you’re young, you absorb everything. You’re like a sponge.”
The Responsibility That Doesn’t Switch Off
One of the most revealing things Ryan talks about is how the responsibility follows him home.
“Your day doesn’t end at four. I’m not glued to my phone or anything, but you do think—have I set everything up right for tomorrow? Have I put things in place for the team to have a smooth day? It’s not stress, really. It’s wanting to do a good job.”
Some people can clock off and forget. Ryan isn’t one of them.
But, as he points out, that’s often the difference between someone who leads and someone who doesn’t.
Staying Driven in a Rapidly Growing Company
MEL has nearly doubled in size since Ryan joined—now around 39 employees, up from around 20 just a few years ago. That level of growth brings opportunities, and Ryan has taken them.
“It’s mad how complex the business has got,” he says. “But that’s good. It means more interesting jobs. I’m lucky because as I grow, the company’s growing too.”
Could he run his own business one day? He has the drive, the skills, and the mindset.
But he’s clear-eyed about the trade-offs.
“As a sole trader, everything is on you—finding the work, doing the work, invoicing, worrying where the next job is coming from. At my age, I don’t want to be worrying about where the next pound is coming from. I want a social life. I want to buy a house. Being employed gives you stability.”
"[But] right now, I’m where I want to be.”
Advice for Anyone Starting Out In The Electrical Industry
Ryan’s advice is simple but solid—exactly what you’d expect from someone who has learned by doing.
“Work hard. Turn up on time. Be presentable. Stick with it even when it gets tough. Nothing worth having is easy.”
Many employers are more interested in candidates who are enthusiastic, willing to learn, and can follow instructions than in specific qualifications.
But his most interesting point is about being recognisable.
“Anyone can do eight hours. What separates you from everyone else? You want people to remember you. Maybe for your work, maybe because you’re respectful, maybe because you help out. Just don’t be the guy who’s there all day and no one notices.”
It’s a philosophy that clearly shapes how he works, how he leads, and how he’s managed to build a reputation far beyond his years.
Adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning are essential to keep up with evolving technologies in a career in electrical engineering.
Qualifications and continued learning play a key role in career progression within the electrical industry.
Many engineers choose to pursue further study, gain additional accreditations, or even work towards an MSc or PhD to deepen their expertise and open new opportunities.
But for Ryan, his success in the electrical industry hasn't just been about technical knowledge. It's about the graft.
“Confidence comes from knowing you’ve done the graft. If you’ve put the work in, you walk away at the end of the day knowing you’ve earned it,” he says.
A Young Leader Still Looking Ahead
Ryan may only be 26, but he’s already running major projects, trusted by senior leadership, and quietly building a reputation as someone who delivers. He’s ambitious, driven, and realistic about the pressures and responsibilities of leadership.
And perhaps the most impressive thing?
He still talks like someone who knows he’s got more to learn—and is hungry to learn it.
At this point in his career, he’s beginning to look ahead. After moving from hands-on technical work into project leadership, the next steps are about broadening his expertise even further — whether that’s taking on larger, more complex projects, developing stronger commercial and managerial skills, or working towards professional accreditation in the future.
Career progression in electrical engineering often involves moving through various stages, from technical roles to leadership, and gaining Chartered Engineer (CEng) status can significantly enhance career prospects.
For many engineers, registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) becomes a natural milestone as their responsibilities grow. And while Ryan is focused on continuing to build experience on the ground, the foundations he’s laying now are exactly what open those doors later.
Whatever direction he chooses, one thing is clear: he’s not standing still — and MEL is giving him the platform to keep moving forward.
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