Then there are others, like me, who didn’t have a plan. Therefore, my career path has had to evolve over time. I’ve tried a few different things, and worked for a few (not loads, only four) companies. Having experienced different sectors, and different companies and their cultures, Mott MacDonald fits for me.
I am a project manager by trade, and have managed people, resources and businesses. The companies I have worked in have all had different cultures. People always say it’s the people who make work an enjoyable, rewarding and successful experience, and it often is; the people at Mott MacDonald are great to work with. But we have a cross-sector of the population, like all other companies, and the make up of our pool of resources would be no different to the vast majority of companies in our sector and across a number of sectors.
So, why is Mott MacDonald different for me?
I think there are three distinct reasons.
Our ownership model. Being employee owned means we are able to think longer term. This in turn makes our day-to-day decision making less reactive, and enables employees to make better strategic and tactical decisions.
Employees are invested in the business. Especially those who show enthusiasm, proactiveness, aligned with capability. If something is determined to be important enough, then it will be done, and done properly; training will be budgeted for, workshops will be organised and budgeted for, and most importantly, initiatives will be budgeted for. I have personally benefitted from all three and whilst at Mott MacDonald, have passed my Prince2 accreditation, completed an internal management development programme, and have had assistance with completion of an industry leadership change programme which included a Post Graduate Certificate (PGC).
Technology is now at the heart of what we do. It is acknowledged by Mott MacDonald to be at the core of our immediate and future success. It is one of our three core strategies, and in my current role as programme manager for smart infrastructure, I am involved in helping to deliver that strategy. Mott MacDonald is on its own digital journey, but it is in a great place to advise and help our clients on their digital journeys. We understand the sectors our clients work in, arguably as well as any company in the world, and we understand technology. It’s a powerful combination.
For these reasons, for the first time in my career I feel like a round peg in a round hole, and it feels great. With the pace of change in the global economy, my next steps are not totally understood, but what I do know is there won’t be a lack of opportunity in Mott MacDonald, if I am proactive and want it.
