How has your career developed since being a graduate?
I started in the Reading office as part of a new tunnelling team in 2013, working on a number of large-scale wastewater tunnelling tender designs. Since then I have developed experience in areas such as building information modelling, tunnel lining calculations and multidisciplinary design reviews, all of which have helped me to see the connections between different types of engineering.
What is the best thing about working with?
The variety of projects, roles and opportunities we all have with Mott MacDonald. Lunch time presentations profile projects and share experience across the group demonstrating the diversity of schemes in size, location and sector, and there are placement opportunities for inter-divisional and overseas secondments. The company culture encourages us all to get involved. In the past two years I have had the chance to enter the internal Mott MacDonald competitions; enabling graduates to present business ideas for director sponsored funding and run our projects. I have also attended: training courses including confined spaces, British Tunnelling Society conferences and been on site visits to see other live tunnel projects.
What do you think makes us unique?
The chance to work with interesting people from all over the company, whether that is by collaborating with them on projects or meeting them on company initiatives such as the graduate training scheme. It’s always amazing how people make the time and are willing to help you by explaining their area of expertise.
How has the Academy helped your career development?
The Academy training has given me a structure to help focus on my own development, which could easily be lost when busy on project work. The courses have made me more confident in presenting and discussing my work. I’ve also learned great hints and tips in basic skills for my own time management and managing others, which has been really useful with such a busy role.
What was your favourite part of the Academy, and why?
My favourite part of the Academy so far was the graduate weekend, meeting people from different divisions and offices and learning about the company. Having two days together you get to make new friends and connections with colleagues who I now find myself working with two years later.
What is the most exciting thing you have done to date?
The most exciting thing has also been the most daunting: presenting my work on the Counters Creek project at the British Tunnelling Society’s Young Members Conference 2016. The presentation was in the context of “Challenges of today and the Challenges of Tomorrow”. It is fascinating how we all have different experiences from different projects, and it was exciting to be able to reflect on and show my work over the past two years.
What surprised you most about us?
I am constantly surprised that everyone has time to do so much both inside and outside the working day! Mott MacDonald colleagues are sociable across the group and in addition to our project work are involved in a wide variety of company events including the company wide Sports Day; STEMNet in local schools; marching for London Pride; Young Professional Excellence breakfasts; and the WaterAid Mountain Challenges.