How has your career developed since joining Mott MacDonald as a graduate?
Since joining the team at Mott MacDonald, I have been involved in all manner of projects; ranging from flooding schemes protecting homes and businesses in Glasgow, to major expansions of the London Underground transport network. As we operate in a diverse mix of sectors, I have had the chance to expand my skills and knowledge in different technical areas such as tunnel design, hydraulic modelling, infrastructure design and structural engineering. With two of my colleagues, I was even given the opportunity to pitch our own idea for a project to a team of senior management to secure a £10,000 budget for developing a digital library of underground assets in London. Each project, no matter if it’s internal or external, presents a unique set of design challenges which help me develop as a professional and gives me the opportunity to improve the lives of other people.
What projects have been your favourite to work on?
The Thames Tideway Tunnel is a special project for me, as I have been involved in both the bidding and delivery phases. Once completed, the £4.2bn Tideway improvement works will remove 95% of the waste currently entering the River Thames and make London’s wastewater network fit for the future. At the bid stage, I gained a fantastic mix of technical and commercial experience; from SCL design, geotechnical parameter derivation to developing the design fee breakdown. I have since been able to take this knowledge base into the delivery phase. As a designer on the East Package, I am working with the tunnels and shafts team to finalise the alignments and deliver the tunnel segment designs for the 5.5km Main Tunnel and 4.6km Greenwich Connection Tunnel.
What is the best thing about working at Mott MacDonald?
I get to work on some of the world’s most interesting projects including flagship UK projects: Thames Tideway and the Northern Line Extension to Battersea. The scale of our projects combined with strong, close teams makes working here a dynamic experience, where no two days are the same.
What do you think makes Mott MacDonald unique?
The ethos of Mott MacDonald places huge importance on ethics, integrity and sustainability – something that each of us have a responsibility for. The company successfully mixes these traditional values with a drive to stay ahead of the competition by embracing new technologies and driving best practice in the industry.
What support have you had while working towards your chartership?
When I joined the business, it surprised me how enthusiastic more experienced colleagues are to share their knowledge. My line management are always active in opening up doors I need to gain the required experience for my chartership. This has included changes in location, getting the right mix of project experiences and providing funding for training courses.
What advice would you give to current students applying to Mott MacDonald?
Personally, having some relevant work experience allowed me to hit the ground running when I joined Mott MacDonald after university. I worked in the Glasgow office before my last year at University and this opportunity allowed me to learn about consultancy, design, and made me sure that this was the career that I wanted to pursue.
