What do you enjoy most about being on the Graduate Engineering Programme?

As a recent graduate my focus has been on learning. Most of what I’ve been doing day-to-day, even when working on live projects, is learning.  A lot of it has been stuff I’ve done once before, gone over it, thought I understood it, then the next day I’ve come back and have realised I’d learnt something new!

I’ve made progress with the support of senior engineers around me and graduates who are a year ahead of me.  I am changing to a better way of thinking which I can use going forward. I refer to the Eurocodes on daily basis. I was shown this at university, but not how to take something we have done and analyse in detail against the Eurocode. The Graduate Engineering Programme develops more technical learning and more applicable learning to structural engineering.

Why did you choose to join Robert Bird Group?

Coming from a university which is on the coast the graduate programme was attractive because it was in a busy central London location. I scrolled through job sites, LinkedIn graduate schemes, and the Institution of Civil Engineering website to look at their rating on best graduate schemes. Robert Bird Group was highly rated on the teaching of engineers and supporting their progression to become Chartered Engineers.  This aligned with where I want to take my career path and was the best graduate scheme I found.

How did you find the transition from full-time education to professional engineering?

I found the hardest thing was switching from full time remote university learning – I was at university through COVID – to full time in the office. This took me some adjusting, but we were offered hybrid working to help us through.

I’ve found it helpful and important to write down my notes carefully, whether it is project related or my own to-do list. I’ve had to learn to be very clear in my notetaking so others can pick up if they need too.  Reaching my first major work deadline and delivering while being under pressure was a relief and a great achievement for me!

Which projects have you most enjoyed working on?

The projects I’ve enjoyed working on the most have been the Cricklewood Data Centre and the White City project, which is still in the early stages.  Whilst I’ve only contributed minor parts on both, I have very much enjoyed the experience of learning new things and gaining an understanding of what my career path could be.  Separately I made a site visit to a One Leadenhall where I got to gain a better understanding of how the work we do comes together during the project.

What advice would you offer to graduates when applying for the Graduate Engineering Programme?

Don’t get complacent with your job search or applying, you never know where you will end up! And don’t be afraid to ask if there is something on your mind. I found it useful having a part time job at university, even though it wasn’t working near my career as it gave me motivation to pursue a job I was interested in.  It was also beneficial in other ways as it got me into the rhythm of work life.

What do you enjoy most about being on the Graduate Engineering Programme?

I started doing load takedowns on the Olympia project, looking through drawings, and spot-checks to find errors, then gradually started moving onto design on my next project which was Swiss Cottage with lots of columns and slabs.  Working through different projects I have learnt to use various design packages and work on TC Spreadsheets.  Recently I’ve been working on concrete, columns, and some Power Cup design.  All of this has provided me with experience of the whole picture, including calculations.

What is great about Robert Bird Group is that during the graduate programme you switch to different teams as part of your training. I like working with their really good engineers who know what they are doing and guide you!

Hybrid working is sometimes available so if you need to you can work from home without any distraction to get work done …but it’s nice to come to the office to have a chat with others!

Why did you choose to join Robert Bird Group?

I have a friend who graduated before me and has already worked in the industry for a few years.  He told me about Robert Bird Group and that it was a good company to work for.  I wasn’t sure if I wanted to move to London, but I decided to do a little research about their projects and their business. I liked what I found out and applied to join them.

How did you find the transition from full-time education to professional engineering?

When I joined Robert Bird Group I realised it’s not like university anymore!  Working Monday to Friday, starting at about the same time every day, and not so many long holidays took some adjusting too.  I’ve had to learn how to be more organised with my work so people see the design input as well as my technical knowledge.  I would say I’ve learnt how important it is to be organised because you have to be efficient and know how to organise your work.

Which projects have you most enjoyed working on?

I have worked on quite a few projects, each project has been different, and I learnt something new each time. But one of the projects I really enjoyed was the multistorey residential block in Swiss Cottage where I was presented with a construction issue and had to think of the most suitable solution to it. I came up with a few proposals, and after evaluations settled for one which I thought was the best solution. I reviewed these with the senior engineers and they were happy to go ahead with it. So I felt more involved with the project as I had to use my problem-solving skills as well as design the structural members of the building.  I also got to do some fire calculations by hand which was something I had not done before so that was a great learning experience overall.

What advice would you offer to graduates when applying for the Graduate Engineering Programme?

I would train more on software and IT systems.  Also get into the habit of being a morning person!   Before you apply to anything make sure you do your research on companies, what they do, what projects they work on. Make sure you identify what your main skills and experience are and try to match it with a company.  Get involved and do every single little calculation you can do and learn the traditional way to do things by hand as this is really useful.

What do you enjoy most about being on the Graduate Engineering Programme?

I support Senior and other Design Engineers in the company by working on design on modelling and computer-generated building elements using software like RAM, Bentley software to design slabs, columns, beams, takedowns, calculations.

Why did you choose to join Robert Bird Group?

We had a Careers Open Day at my university. This took place during Covid, so it was online and I was given exclusive access to the team who made me feel very welcome. They explained Robert Bird Group are specialists in design. The Graduate Engineering Programme looked quite cool because you can switch between departments such as Construction Engineering and Geotech, which gives you diverse skills and helps you test out where you would like to specialise during your career. I find it quite exciting to learn on projects from skyscrapers to the many other things Robert Bird Group does.

How did you find the transition from full-time education to professional engineering?

I found transitioning to a 9-5 job quite hard at first. You get to do interesting stuff and meet friends after work, but when you’re at university you have to motivate yourself and if you don’t do it, no one is going to chase you and you can just relax. Meanwhile in the professional working environment I need to work to deadlines and have submissions completed in time for the client!

Compared to the Graduate Engineering Programme, my university experience was quite different as I mainly studied the principles.  Working at Robert Bird Group I use final element analysis models, and do hand calculations, which I never did at university. Another thing is the engineering approach and assumptions. At university you always get a set outcome, or a set result and you follow the calculation.  At Robert Bird Group you have to find your own variables as the calculation is the easy bit – leading up to it is the difficult part.

Which projects have you most enjoyed working on?

I’ve been working on two projects.  The first project was Elizabeth House where I was working on slab design and then I started working on a data centre. I find it exciting as I can see my design being built when I have been on site, and I get a sense of appreciation of what engineers and other people do behind the scenes.

Part of what I enjoy about the graduate programme is I get the opportunity to do stuff that I’m interested in. For example, I’m proud of the sustainable concrete research and presentation I prepared for the team to go out to universities with to educate other engineering students.  I was also able to present this to the business. This gave me great opportunities to develop new skills outside my technical training.

What advice would you offer to graduates when applying for the Graduate Engineering Programme?

I’d say don’t say “no”. For example, what I have learnt is to go away and think about new ways of finding solutions to the client needs and collaborate as a team. If you are a graduate and you are given work and you don’t know how to do it, try to work around it. I would also try doing other things as well like going to industry events and making connections. Engineering is great as to a certain extent you can help change the world around you.

What did you enjoy most about being on the Graduate Engineering Programme?

I actively participated in design tasks related to structural engineering, particularly in the areas of steel and concrete structures. Whilst my focus was based in building structures, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects within the team.  I’ve had the chance to be on site which has given me valuable insights into the practical application of engineering principles. This hands-on experience has enhanced my understanding of how designs are built into real-world structures.

Why did you choose to join Robert Bird Group?

A combination of factors which aligned with my academic and professional interests. I was working on data which led to interesting results which the senior Robert Bird Group leadership team were interested in too.  This enabled me to make connections and build relationships which gave me the opportunity to join the company!  Through an industry scheme Robert Bird Group also has an association with Imperial College as a PhD sponsor, and this further solidified my decision.  It demonstrated their commitment to investing in the growth and development of emerging talent in the field of engineering.

How did you find the transition from full-time education to professional engineering?

It has been a significant change for me! Whilst I had the opportunity to collaborate with peers during my education, teamwork has taken on a different dimension in my professional role.  I’m now part of a team with diverse skill sets and effective collaboration is essential for the team’s success. Learning to work with colleagues and leveraging their expertise has been a new and valuable experience.

The transition from being the lead in my research to being part of a larger team has been quite different as work in the professional world is driven by deadlines and commercial considerations, in contrast to the more flexible timelines in academia.  I’ve had to adjust to the importance of meeting project milestones to meet client needs. These adjustments have been challenging but have also provided me with valuable growth opportunities in my professional journey.

Which projects have you most enjoyed working on?

I’ve had the opportunity to work on several projects and most recently have worked on various stages of the regeneration of Olympia West and Olympia Central, London. This is a major project which has posed challenges, including site queries, block work packages, and the design of composite beams. One aspect I found especially engaging was the involvement in disproportional collapse analyses which added an interesting dimension to my work.

Which achievements are you most proud of?

One of my proudest achievements at Robert Bird Group has been my personal and professional growth. When I look back and compare myself to where I was three years ago, I can see significant progress where I have built up my technical knowledge through having had the opportunity to work on complex projects and learn from experienced colleagues.

Robert Bird Group has provided me with valuable guidance on how to conduct myself professionally, not just in terms of technical skills but also in terms of interpersonal skills and business etiquette. This guidance has been instrumental in my personal development and getting promoted in the company.

What advice would you offer to graduates when applying for the Graduate Engineering Programme?

Don’t be too hesitant in taking initiatives and be proactive in your career! Take the initiative to make positive changes. Take the time to actively engage with your colleagues and superiors, learn from others, and don’t hesitate to participate in conversations as people are generally receptive and willing to help.

From Graduate Engineer to Associate at Robert Bird Group

What attracted you to join RBG?

I really liked the can-do attitude and the desire to solve challenging engineering problems with simple and outside-the-box attitude.  In 2013 Robert Bird Group was a small family business with ambitious plans which excited me then, and I started working on exciting projects like The Shard in London!

What are you most proud of achieving at RBG?

I worked on 100 Bishopsgate, delivering over 5000 hours of work over 5 years from inception to completion – I could see it being built.

I was awarded Chartered status by the Institution of Structural Engineers which wouldn’t have been possible without the business supporting me from learning, time for exams, through to getting signed off.  I’ve always been given good opportunities to grow and to learn from very competent engineers and have had the privilege to see the company grow from 50 to 250 people.

What advice would you give to graduate engineers who aspire to follow a similar career path and eventually become an Associate engineer within Robert Bird Group? Do you have any job search or career advice?

Engineering is a hard and complicated profession and experience is key. Robert Bird Group will provide you opportunities to work on all sorts of projects, for example, rail projects, high rise and skyscraper buildings, and stadiums such as the Camp Nou project.

If you like engineering, we have a great team to show you the way!  Work hard, follow what you like, put the effort in but try your best to get involved with the widest possible experiences – big and small, high and tall, complex and simple.

Can you describe your journey from a Graduate Engineer to an Associate at Robert Bird Group? What were the key milestones or projects that helped you grow in your career?

During the last ten years with Robert Bird Group I have grown as an engineer, developing both my technical and management skills.

I started in October 2013, progressing through the design of many things.  In July 2015, I was promoted to the role of Design Engineer. From January to June 2017, I worked full-time as Resident Engineer on 100 Bishopsgate where I was exposed to a live central London construction site. Following achieving Chartership in June 2018, I was promoted to the role of Senior Engineer. In August 2018 I was promoted to Project Lead, where I gained experience in managing people, coordinating with other stakeholders, and negotiating scopes. In April 2021 I was promoted to the role of Associate Structural Engineer.

I ‘ve learnt to deal with problems and how to address them.  I have learnt from my mistakes, but overall had great experience in understanding how to engage with clients, architects, engineers, site visits, and building relationships to a level to enable me to work closely with a range of people.

As an Associate, you likely have experience mentoring junior engineers. Can you share an example of a time when you mentored someone and helped them grow in their role?

For me mentoring is helping the whole team, so I try to work with my team to help them be more efficient, sharing information about what I’ve learnt to develop them to get their Chartership. I’ve mentored a few engineers in the business, helping them both in planning their careers and making sure they have the right tools to follow their ambitions.

In your opinion, what are the most significant challenges that engineers face when transitioning from a graduate to a senior role, and how did you overcome these challenges?

Key in life is to be patient and give time to adjust.  Leverage your curiosity and innovate yourself and the business, and bring your enthusiasm to work!   Be patient as it doesn’t happen overnight.

Engineering is fun but very hard.  Grasping the complexity of every problem we face is somehow easy. The hard part is breaking down complex problems into a set of easier tasks we can better understand and deal with. This is a key step in transitioning from graduate to a more senior role.

How do you see your role evolving in the future, and what steps are you taking to prepare for those changes?

I hope my role will evolve as I like the business. I hope I’ll be able to grow as fast as I can by making sure I get the right skills to be able to get there. I’ll keep working hard to make this happen and look after the people I work with and help them to grow too.