Susan Cormican is a Group Director at Ethos Engineering, a company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with engineers operating throughout Europe. Ethos provides mechanical and electrical system designs for various industries, including Data Centre, Industrial and Commercial Sectors. With over three decades of experience in the construction and engineering sectors, Susan has witnessed the industry’s evolution in many ways, both personally and professionally. Her journey into engineering was not planned. Growing up, she didn’t have any direct exposure to the field, as her school only offered physics as a science subject, and there was no engineering background in her family.
Susan Cormican | Group Director | Ethos Engineering
However, she had an interest in science and discovered an engineering course in the UK. Her curiosity led her to enroll, and she quickly fell in love with the discipline. In her words, she “got into engineering by accident,” but it has since become her passion. This story reflects a broader issue today: many young people are still unaware of engineering as a career choice, which contributes to the ongoing shortage of engineers. At EliteX, we are proud to have Susan Cormican as part of the edition: Visionary Leaders in Construction, 2024.
Her first job in the construction industry was as a graduate engineer with a small electrical engineering consultancy. She worked on critical power systems for power stations and healthcare facilities. This role was a steep learning curve, providing valuable experience not only in design principles but also in the commercial aspects of projects. She learned essential project management and communication skills that have served her throughout her career.
“We need to show young people the possibilities within engineering to inspire them to pursue it.”
Over the past 30 years, Susan has witnessed significant changes in the construction industry. When she started in the 1990s, it was a much more intimidating environment, especially for a female engineer. However, the Irish construction sector has evolved to become globally recognized for its innovation, health and safety standards, and commercial acumen. Today, Irish companies are seen representing the highest standards on the international stage. One of the most notable changes in recent years, according to Susan, is the improvement in work-life balance. At Ethos, employees benefit from a 9-day fortnight, a flexible schedule that improves employee satisfaction without negatively affecting clients or project timelines. Among the projects Susan is most proud of is the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin, Ireland. This was a particularly challenging project for various reasons, but the impact it has had on people’s lives makes it especially rewarding. The facility provides invaluable services to individuals, and Susan takes pride in knowing that she played a part in creating such a meaningful project. It is a source of great satisfaction for her when people who have used the services share their positive experiences.
Of course, Susan has faced numerous challenges throughout her career. The fast-paced nature of the construction industry, rapid technological advancements, and the ever-changing demands of the market can be stressful. Staying ahead of technological changes is a constant challenge, and keeping up with these developments requires both dedication and foresight. One of the most significant hurdles for women in the industry, she notes, is the gender imbalance. The construction and engineering sectors globally continue to struggle with low female representation. Overcoming these challenges requires teamwork, careful planning, and strong communication.
Susan believes that attracting more leaders to the construction industry is key to ensuring its future growth. Reskilling initiatives could help leaders from other industries transition into construction. She mentions that Ethos’ Talent and Acquisition Team has launched programs aimed at retraining individuals from related fields. Passion and aptitude for problem-solving, rather than technical skills, should be the primary focus when attracting new talent. She also believes that the way construction and engineering are presented to the public needs to change. We need to offer better career guidance in schools, make engineering subjects accessible to all students, and showcase role models to break the misconception that construction is only for certain types of people.
“The ability to take feedback and use it to improve is a very valuable skill.”
Throughout her career, Susan has found inspiration in the people she has worked with. She has always learned something valuable from her managers, whether they were good delegators, planners, or motivators. Even when she disagreed with someone, she took note of their approach to management and leadership, using those insights to refine her own style. For Susan, a crucial skill for success in the construction industry is the ability to take feedback and use it to improve. The construction industry demands high levels of communication and technical knowledge, as well as strong delegation skills. She also highlights the importance of energy and tenacity. The ability to stay positive and keep pushing forward, even in the face of frustration, is what sets successful leaders apart.
Like many others, Susan has had to balance her demanding career with her personal life. She admits that it hasn’t always been easy, but she found a system that worked for her family. She and her husband followed a 50/50 rule, where they divided the day into halves—each taking responsibility for their share of the household and childcare duties. This helped ease the pressure and allowed Susan to focus on her career while ensuring that family responsibilities were shared. She is pleased to see that the workplace is becoming more accommodating, with more flexibility offered to employees, including paternity leave and the opportunity for fathers to take an active role in childcare. Looking to the future, Susan has some advice for young leaders considering a career in construction. While it may seem intimidating at first, she assures them that the non-technical aspects of the job—such as managing people, motivating teams, and balancing client demands—are the most challenging. She advises young leaders to be patient, as progress in the industry takes time. However, for those who enjoy problem-solving, working in teams, and the option to travel, construction offers an exciting and rewarding career.
Susan is also involved in organizations that support the construction and engineering industries. She has worked with the Association of Consulting Engineers in Ireland, advocating for the interests of engineering consultants. This has included negotiations with clients and contractors, exploring new ways of controlling costs, and addressing the ongoing issue of gender imbalance in the industry. Her efforts to improve gender equality have been a constant focus throughout her career, and she has spoken at numerous events to raise awareness and share data on the issue.
Diversity and inclusion are essential to the success of the construction industry. Today, many clients and organizations recognize the value of a diverse workforce. Companies that embrace diversity are often more successful and innovative. The demand for engineers is so high that increasing diversity is not just the right thing to do—it is a necessity. However, achieving diversity requires overcoming barriers such as unconscious bias in recruitment and promotion and the lack of informal mentoring for women. Susan is optimistic that with the right focus, the construction industry can make significant strides in this area.
As one of the leaders of the innovation team at Ethos, Susan is also deeply involved in exploring new technologies. One area that excites her is Artificial Intelligence, where she believes the potential for innovation is limitless. Ethos encourages all of its engineers to engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) through courses, industry seminars, and in-house training. The company also offers a subscription to LinkedIn Learning to help employees stay updated on the latest trends and technologies. When it comes to the future of leadership in construction, Susan sees two major areas where leaders will be particularly busy: implementing AI effectively and advancing the goal of 100% renewable energy. Alongside these technical challenges, leaders will need to focus on enhancing the profile of the construction industry to make it an attractive career choice for all.
“I got into engineering by accident, but it has since become my passion.”
Looking ahead, Susan has a clear vision for her legacy. She hopes to see a significant increase in the gender balance in technical roles within construction, with 30%+ female representation. She believes that this is within reach and likens it to the growth of women’s sports, which now enjoy a global following. By allowing young people to see the possibilities within engineering, Susan is confident that more will be inspired to pursue careers in the field, ultimately creating a more inclusive and diverse industry for future generations.
