Switching industries without starting over: Sophie Li’s story

Building impact from day one

Sophie joined AtkinsRéalis from a completely different industry. With fresh eyes and a strong marketing and communications background, she was eager to understand how a global engineering organization connects its work to the people it serves.

“My role is about shaping how we show up,” Sophie explains. “It’s about translating strategy into stories that resonate with clients, communities, and teams across the region.”

As part of the Global Communications and Marketing team, Sophie works closely with regional teams and senior leaders across Asia. She advises on strategy, develops messaging, and delivers integrated campaigns that strengthen brand presence and support business growth. Rather than observing from the sidelines, she was quickly trusted with meaningful responsibility, contributing to high‑visibility initiatives and helping align local priorities with global direction.

“That trust makes a huge difference,” she says. “It pushes you to step up, learn quickly, and focus on making an impact.”

Finding clarity in complexity

One of Sophie’s biggest challenges, and one of her biggest growth opportunities, was learning how to communicate highly technical and complex work in a clear and compelling way.

“Engineering isn’t simple, and that’s what makes it interesting,” she says. “My job is to bring clarity so teams can tell their stories in a way that’s accessible and engaging, without losing credibility.”

That clarity has real impact. Strong communication helps project teams articulate their value, strengthens client confidence, and builds trust across the market. For Sophie, effectiveness is not just about campaigns, but about creating connection and understanding.

“When people understand the work, they engage more deeply,” she explains. “That’s when communication genuinely supports communities and long‑term relationships.”

A culture where collaboration fuels confidence

What stood out to Sophie early on was the culture itself. She describes AtkinsRéalis as open, collaborative, and genuinely supportive, a place where people are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, and challenge themselves.

“There’s no sense of information being guarded,” she says. “People are willing to help, explain, and collaborate, especially when you show initiative.”

Transparency also plays a key role in how Sophie approaches her work. Having a clear understanding of AtkinsRéalis vision and priorities helps her align her efforts with the bigger picture, making her contributions more focused and effective.

“When you know why you’re doing something, the how becomes much stronger,” she adds.

The power of showing up for others

Support has played an important role in Sophie’s journey, particularly when she first joined AtkinsRéalis and stepped into a completely new industry. Early on, a colleague named Praveena made a habit of checking in, helping Sophie navigate unfamiliar territory.

Praveena shared insight that went beyond formal onboarding, from business context and organizational history to connecting Sophie with the right people across the business.

“She helped me understand how things really work,” Sophie says. “She encouraged me to learn and figure things out, but I always knew she had my back.”

That experience shaped how Sophie approaches support today. To her, guidance does not need to be formal to be meaningful. Being available, sharing knowledge, or making a timely connection can significantly change how someone experiences their role and their confidence at work.

Learning from leaders who make space for growth

The values Sophie appreciates in her peers are also reflected in the leaders around her. She points to Sue Foster’s 30‑plus‑year career as an example of what is possible in an organization that continues to evolve.

“You don’t stay somewhere that long unless there’s room to grow and change,” Sophie says. “It shows that long‑term development is genuinely supported here.”

She is also influenced by her manager, Donna Brown, whose leadership style Sophie describes as grounded in openness, transparency, and care. Donna gives people the space to grow independently, while remaining present when guidance is needed.

“That balance makes a real difference,” Sophie explains. “You feel trusted, but never alone.”

Together, these experiences have shaped Sophie’s view of leadership as creating the right conditions for people to grow, contribute, and do their best work.

A journey still unfolding

Outside of work, Sophie finds grounding in photography, time with family, and life with her five Japanese Spitz dogs. These moments give her space to reflect and stay balanced as she continues to grow in her career.

Professionally, she’s proud of how far she has come in a short time. Moving into a new industry was intimidating, but the trust and support she experienced helped her build confidence along the way. “I’ve grown in confidence, capability, and perspective,” she reflects.

With new opportunities emerging, Sophie sees her journey at AtkinsRéalis as only just beginning. For her, switching industries never meant starting from zero, but growing into something new with the right support around her. It’s an experience that reflects a wider culture at AtkinsRéalis, where people are encouraged to bring their experience, keep learning, and shape careers that evolve over time.

If you’re exploring a new direction of your own, you can discover current opportunities at AtkinsRéalis and see where your journey could take you.