Graduates: A guide to thriving civil engineering and transportation careers

Hello, I'm Will. I've been an engineer for 22 years and am now an Operations Director here at AtkinsRéalis in the UK. My responsibility is making sure our business is running efficiently – from budgets and safety to people and delivery excellence for our clients – so we can all keep growing and doing what drives us: Read how we're engineering a better future.

I graduated as a Civil Engineer from University College London and started out as a graduate transport planner. Early in my career, things felt more straightforward. Thanks to the support of development programmes and a clear path to chartership, my early career felt mapped out. But after I became chartered, I hit a crossroads. The big questions became: "What do I want to become?" and "Where am I actually going?"

Along the way, I've learned a few things that helped shape my career and kept me moving forward. Here are my top 5 tips for building a career to grow into and be proud of.

Tip 1. Follow what gives you energy in your graduate civil engineering career

First off, find something you genuinely enjoy doing. You can't last 40+ years in a career doing stuff you don't like. Look for projects and initiatives that give you energy and use that as a basis to shape your career path. Be prepared to explore and try things out. At AtkinsRéalis, you'll get the time and variety to follow your interests and find your spark: Explore the Graduate Development Programme.

Tip 2. Set your course and grow in graduate project professional jobs

Once I found a direction that excited me, I started setting goals, leaning on my network and line managers, and grabbing the opportunities aligned with where I wanted to head next. Want to see how others have done it too? Meet our young professionals and read their stories.

Tip 3. Build your support network in a graduate transportation career

I learned early on how important it is to know who your allies are. Imposter syndrome was a real challenge for me. And as I moved up, I started to feel more exposed – especially as someone from an underrepresented group. Mistakes felt more visible, and when your thinking doesn't match the norm, it's easy to feel drowned out. But having mentors and coaches made a big difference. They kept me focused and reminded me of the value I bring. Surround yourself with people who see your potential – even when you don't: Here's how we'll support you at every step.

Tip 4. Grow sideways, not just up – choose a graduate development programme wisely!

Growing sideways is just as valuable as climbing up the career ladder. Getting that experience early on pays off. Senior roles often pull you away from hands-on technical work, so I'm glad I took the chance to explore a broad range of opportunities earlier in my career. At AtkinsRéalis, you'll find opportunities that span everything from niche projects to global mega builds. Discover how far a career with us can take you.

Tip 5. Say yes, (then we'll help you figure it out)

When an opportunity comes along, think about what you can do, not what you can't. Sometimes, the things you think you can't do are just in your blind spots. Once you try them, you might find they open up brilliant new avenues for you. For example, did you know? You don't need an engineering background to build a rewarding career with us: Explore non-engineering roles at AtkinsRéalis.

Learn more about my team and be the first to hear about early career opportunities: Join our early careers Talent Community – or scroll down for related stories and opportunities!