Insights In the company of innovators
Because of the types of project I get to work on, I come into contact with so many different disciplines, like drainage engineers and rail engineers. So I get to learn about how all the disciplines impact each other, and how whole projects come together.
Why AtkinsRéalis?
When I was at uni, I asked my lecturers for some advice and they recommended AtkinsRéalis as one of the best technical experts in my area of ground engineering.
I really liked the scale and variety of projects at AtkinsRéalis. I’ve had opportunities to work on large, high profile projects as well as more local, niche ones. There are so many options, which has given me the chance to step up and follow my career ambitions.
It was also really important to me to work for a company recognised as a top employer. AtkinsRéalis has a great graduate scheme and is an equal employer for women. Everyone is valued for their perspectives and recognised for their contributions equally.
What got you interested in geotechnical engineering?
I’ve always been fascinated by the built environment. I discovered civil engineering when I was in sixth form looking at different opportunities, outside of architecture, where I could use maths and physics. I also wanted to do something exciting and creative. It was only while I was at uni that I discovered ground engineering. I was fascinated by the risk involved – we can never be sure what’s in the ground, and we can never quite quantify it.
Tell us about the award your team won.
I love that in my role we’re always pushing the boundaries so that we can make the design of the future better. So I was really fortunate to be involved in the team that worked on a new and innovative way of visualising data for our track bed design. And we won an award for our work!
What is your favourite thing about AtkinsRéalis?
I love seeing what I’ve worked on come to life, I’ve witnessed my track bed and foundation designs being installed on site – not to mention seeing the tangible impact my work has had.
On the East West Rail project, I was given an opportunity to take a leading role on design improvements to the project’s track bed – all the layers beneath the rails. It has been brilliant for my development. I’ve spoken to people I never thought I’d talk to, pushed myself forward and out of my comfort zone. Most importantly I was given all the support I needed to get it done right.
Besides projects what other opportunities have you had?
I have really enjoyed being a volunteer graduate forum representative. At AtkinsRéalis graduates have a voice on what we want on the graduate programme. So I have had the opportunity to meet people across divisions and regional offices, including some very senior people. I’ve had the opportunity to work in a role that I wouldn’t have had on a project and to really learn how the business works.
I’ve been personally involved in looking at how we can make the graduate programme even better than it is. We want to introduce different ways of training, teach graduates about our bidding process, and introduce a new welcome social to the calendar. Recently the infrastructure graduate forum launched a new event called ‘Rapid Start’. This two-day hack-a-thon invited graduates from all AtkinsRéalis' different regions to come together to help to solve an actual client problem.
What next for you at AtkinsRéalis?
My plan is to stick with geotechnical engineering so that I can become a technical expert in my field. I know I can do it with all the support that my team at AtkinsRéalis gives me.
Discover more about Graduate Roles at AtkinsRéalis.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles
Preview
GeneralContent type
ProjectsPublish date
04/24/2024
Summary
No one-size-fits-all career path for me at AtkinsRéalis. I'm Emma, a Graduate Electrical Engineer at AtkinsRéalis. I studied Electrical and Mechanical Engineering MEng at uni, and at th
Preview
GeneralContent type
ProjectsPublish date
04/24/2024
Summary
Cementing my decision to pursue Civil Engineering I'm Luke, and I'm currently doing a MEng Civil Engineering degree. When I was offered a placement with AtkinsRéalis, I was excited and j
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/10/2024
Summary
What’s the first thing that springs to mind when you think of an apprenticeship? Maybe it’s hands-on learning or professional development. What about establishing friendships and professional re
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/10/2024
Summary
Hello, I'm Aishah Latif, a proud graduate of the University of Salford with a First Class degree in BEng Civil Engineering. So, how did I end up in rail? My career journey began when I joined A
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/09/2024
Summary
If you’ve found yourself asking, ‘Are apprenticeships worth it?’, you’re not the only person. It goes without saying that apprenticeships are a great way to learn, gain confidence, and kick-star
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/28/2024
Summary
In the words of our President and CEO, Ian Edwards, ‘When we combine our differences, we truly make a difference’. We welcome students from around 80 different degree backgrounds because we reco
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/11/2024
Summary
The Aerospace, Defence, Security, and Technology team at AtkinsRéalis plays a vital role in ensuring national security and resilience, safeguarding air passengers, and supporting governments in
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
02/28/2024
Summary
At AtkinsRéalis, we’re driven by our purpose to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. Our graduates, placement students, and apprentices are the heartbeat of our future team. So we'r
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
02/07/2024
Summary
Meet Akram, a talented 20-year-old Degree Apprentice Quantity Surveyor from Middlesbrough. He is steering his career in the construction and engineering world with AtkinsRéalis. In this blog int
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
02/02/2024
Summary
I'm Charley, an Apprentice Architect at Atkins, operating as AtkinsRéalis. How did I get here? I decided that university wasn't the right choice for me—I was looking for a more practical, hands-
AtkinsRéalis
Equality, diversity & inclusion
We're devoted to growing the diversity of our people, promoting and inclusive culture, providing everyone with an equal voice because simply put, it's the right thing to do.
Find out more