Insights How my Atkins Summer Placement set me up for my future career.
![Photo of Rebecca smiling towards the camera](/img/887a792a-c4e2-415e-dd84-08daa777b4fe)
Starting in civil engineering
Starting in civil engineering
I graduated from The University of the West of England with a First Class Degree in Civil Engineering. At this point, the markets had changed due to the financial crisis, so I decided to do a Master's in Civil Engineering at Cardiff University, which I earned with Distinction.
After graduation, I joined a Civil Engineering consultancy and worked mainly in the Energy Markets for over nine years. As a Civil Engineer, I worked on several secondments, including National Grid, Qatar Rail and Horizon Nuclear Power. In 2017 I gained my Chartership with the Institute of Civil Engineers while working as a Project Engineer at Horizon. At this point, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in Project Management and started running small Projects for Front End Schemes on National Grid.
Exploring project management
I took my first major formal assignment as a Project Manager at EDF. I ran two major programmes preparing new infrastructure and spent-fuel nuclear flasks ready for the current decommissioning of the UK's power stations. I organized a multidisciplinary team to complete the front-end design and technical documentation and also led the formal tender and award. I also completed training in project management with the Association of Project Management (APM) and later became a formal member. Over four years, I took on other programmes, including a stint in the DE&S (Ministry Of Defence), to build my experience across multiple sectors.
Re-joining Atkins as a senior project manager
In 2021 I took on a senior project management role to look after an amazing account in Atkins' Infrastructure Practice—Hinkley Point C. This exciting project is engineering a better future for people and the planet—from providing zero-carbon electricity for about six million homes to investing £24 million into new skills and employment.
I run a key work package that integrates civil design with the ongoing site construction at Hinkley. I manage over 80 staff, including more than 50 colleagues from our Global Technology Centre in India. I'm also responsible for the programme, finance/forecasting, client relationship, resourcing and risk profile. I enjoy my job because I'm doing my bit to solve the complex problems that face humanity while helping to create an inclusive work environment where everyone can succeed.
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