Emily – 12 month Work Placement Trainee Engineer

Emily - Work Placement Trainee Engineer

Architecture

Placement (10 Months+)

Arcadis

What do you do at Arcadis?

I am a Student Engineer in the Water Management & Resilience team, working mainly on canals, reservoirs and associated structures.

Why do you love working at Arcadis?

Arcadis is a great company to join in your early career; there is a really strong culture of support for graduates and other early careers employees, both from peers and those at a higher level. It is really valuable to be able to engage with colleagues from different levels and different business areas to get a well-rounded experience at the start of your career.

Can you describe a ‘typical day’ in your role?

There isn't a typical day! This depends largely on what projects our team is currently working on. One day could be spent working on CAD drawings and technical reports, but the next day could be spent on-site gathering information to be able to produce those deliverables. Throughout the week I will also have various meetings with clients and stakeholders or internal meetings, so there is a really good balance between independent work and working within the team.

What has been your favourite project up to now?

It is difficult to pick one! So far, my favourites have been optioneering and outline design projects, because I enjoy being able to go out on site, gather all the information from survey data, historical records, client and stakeholder knowledge and produce ideas based on all of these constraints that solve the correct problem. One example was outline design for modifications to a historic lock gate, which required thought in terms of appearance and the risks associated with works to a listed structure, as well as the impact of modifications on water levels in the wider canal system.

What tips would you give to someone who is applying to Arcadis?

Think about what you want to achieve in your career and take a proactive approach to your own learning. Arcadis' core values include People First and Collaboration; the company can provide a lot of different opportunities and will support you in the growth of your career at the same time as you support your colleagues and form an important part of the business.