Redundancy. Hearing that one simple word was devastating. I pride myself on being someone who works hard. I’ve always held a job, ever since I was a teenager, and that continued after my graduation with a PhD in chemical engineering. But now, it felt like the rug had been pulled from under me.  

I’d done my best to plan ahead. With my savings and support from my family, I hoped I could stay afloat until I found a new role. While I was confident about securing a job because of my experience, there was always a nagging worry. It felt like I was in a race. What would happen first: finding a job, or running out of money? 

The day I checked my bank account and realised I’d exhausted my savings was one of the lowest moments of my life. I couldn’t pay my rent, and I struggled to scrape together enough cash to even buy the basics. It was suffocating. After years of hard work and dedication, how had I ended up here? 

That’s when I turned to the Chemical Engineers Benevolent Fund. The team there were so understanding and helpful right from the start. There was no judgement, only recognition of the challenges I’d faced over the past few months. The charity awarded me a Housing Costs Grant to cover my rent, and I can’t begin to describe the relief that brought. For the first time in months, I could breathe again. Knowing the charity was there to support me felt like I’d started to turn the corner.  

Today,I’m proud to say I’m back on my feet. I’ve secured an exciting new position in the energy sector and I’m thrilled to get my career as a chemical engineer back on track. I’ll never forget the help I received from the Chemical Engineers Benevolent Fund. It makes me so proud to be part of this profession – this community – to know that we support each other when times are tough.

*The name has been changed to retain confidentiality. The photo is posed by a model. 

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