Future Leaders: Why Our Young Professionals Have What it Takes.

Part 1: How Our Graduates Forge a Sustainable Future as Future Leaders

Welcome to our "Future Leaders" blog series, where we embark on a year-long journey with two of our brightest talents. As participants in the prestigious Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) President's Future Leaders Scheme, they represent the future of civil and infrastructure engineering.

Meet Marcus Rodin and Evita Widjaja, two rising stars at AtkinsRéalis.

Marcus, a structural engineer inspired by his grandfather's legacy, joined the London Building Structures team in 2020 after graduating from Imperial College London with a First-Class MEng Degree in Civil Engineering. Evita, originally from Jakarta and later Melbourne, was drawn to engineering through her first-hand experiences with natural disasters. She pursued an integrated master's at the University of Cambridge, specializing in civil and structural engineering.

What work do you do as an AtkinsRéalis graduate?

Marcus: I've had opportunities to work on projects of various scales, from local infrastructure developments to nuclear power stations, in a range of sectors, from residential to defence. One excellent opportunity was a five-month site role at Stratford East Bank in London, managing the quality of construction of four new buildings.

"Joining AtkinsRéalis' Graduate Programme was an easy decision for me. I saw exemplary work on some of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects. " —Marcus, Assistant Structural Engineer

When I showed interest in applying digital tools to solve structural engineering problems, I was offered a secondment with the Research & Innovation team. I learned how to use design research and digital development in my everyday work to deliver cutting-edge solutions across the Building Design practice. This included developing a concept structural design tool and researching how unfired clay bricks reduce embodied carbon.

"The challenges I've taken on during my early career have allowed me to grow personally and professionally, supported by a fantastic network of people." —Marcus

Evita: I've worked on diverse and impactful projects—from designing sustainable drainage infrastructure to improving operations of our water networks. One of my career highlights was leading a task for The Beacon Project, which was shortlisted for the 2023 NCE TechFest Awards. We used our digital tool, NetCreate, to efficiently design piped water networks to communities in Lahan, Nepal.

"I chose AtkinsRéalis for its global presence and projects that benefit society. I also rated its signature training, rewarding opportunities, and support to take charge of my own career." —Evita, Engineer

In 2021, I worked in the Ground Engineering & Tunnelling team for six months. I gained experience in ground conditions assessment and foundation design. In my home team, Networks & Drainage Solutions, I've had the chance to lead digital training and represent AtkinsRéalis in digital learning. I also learned about the business side of things through the Water Market Mentoring program in Summer 2023.

"It's been an exciting and varied start to my career, building a network of supportive and brilliant people. Looking forward to more transformative years ahead!" —Evita

What made you apply to be part of the Future Leaders Scheme?

Marcus: The scheme gives you the unique opportunity to connect with professionals across the industry, shaping the profession and addressing some of society's pressing issues. Working with this year's ICE President, Anusha Shah, will give me a holistic view of the Institution and the industry through events and mentoring, which will help accelerate my development.

Evita: Anusha Shah's focus on connecting nature and a people-positive world, emphasizing resilience and systems thinking, resonated with me. To tackle global water challenges, I want to use the ICE community's knowledge for practical action, starting with breaking down silos in my areas of influence.

What was the Future Leaders' application process like?

Evita: The process involved submitting a CV, manager reference, and response to the question, "What role can civil/structural engineers play in creating the right building solutions for sustainable, resilient, safe, and inclusive places and spaces?"

Marcus: It is somewhat competitive, so 'standing out' is critical. After we were shortlisted, we each went for an interview, which was a friendly discussion with Anusha and a past President's Future Leader.

What are your goals as a President's Future Leader for 2024?

Marcus: I want to make the most of this rare opportunity, choosing the activities I could not do as a 'normal' structural engineer. In signing up for a policy project, I can look at how engineers can play their part in solving the climate and nature crises. With ICE regional visits and dinners in the presence of royalty to look forward to, I am excited to see where this experience will take me.

Evita: My main goal is to maximize the development opportunity by working on strategic ICE projects and engaging with industry leaders. Following Anusha's motivating presidential address, it'd be great to continue to be inspired and inspire others, communicate learnings, and turn theoretical rhetoric into practical action.

Stay tuned for more updates from Evita and Marcus as #InsideAtkinsRéalis follows their achievements and challenges throughout an exciting year as the ICE President's Future Leaders.

Browse roles and start your Graduate Program application here.