The trail to geotechnical engineering: Airy's first 90 days at AtkinsRéalis

Starting a career is more than learning a new role. It's about discovering how the knowledge you've gained through years of study translates into real-world impact.

For Airy, joining AtkinsRéalis as a Graduate Engineer in the Geotechnical team offered exactly that opportunity. As someone who enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring Hong Kong's hiking trails, he had always appreciated the city's unique landscape. What he didn't expect was how quickly he would begin seeing those same hillsides and slopes through the eyes of an engineer.

During his first 90 days, Airy not only developed new technical skills but also gained a deeper understanding of how geotechnical engineering plays a critical role in protecting communities, infrastructure, and the environments people interact with every day.

Seeing familiar landscapes in a new way

One of the first things that stood out to Airy was the people. From the moment he joined, colleagues and senior engineers were approachable, supportive, and willing to share their knowledge. More importantly, they took the time to explain not only the technical aspects of slope safety and geotechnical engineering, but also the broader purpose behind the work.

For Airy, that bigger-picture perspective immediately resonated. As someone who regularly hikes, he was already familiar with the landscapes surrounding Hong Kong. Through his work, he began to understand the engineering considerations hidden beneath the surface, from ground conditions and slope stability to the measures that help keep communities safe.

Rather than viewing slopes simply as part of the natural environment, he started to appreciate the significant planning, analysis, and engineering expertise required to manage risk and ensure long-term safety.

Learning from both the office and the field

Airy's onboarding experience combined structured learning with practical exposure, allowing him to settle into the role quickly while building confidence along the way.

Formal training introduced him to company systems, tools, and processes, while a buddy and mentor arrangement provided day-to-day guidance during his first few weeks. Being included in project discussions early on also allowed him to observe how experienced engineers approach problem-solving and decision-making in practice.

One of the biggest lessons during those first few months was seeing how multidisciplinary engineering projects come together. While geotechnical engineering forms a key part of the process, successful project delivery relies on close collaboration between multiple teams, disciplines, and stakeholders.

Witnessing those interactions helped him develop a broader appreciation for the importance of communication, collaboration, and engineering judgement.

Building knowledge through real projects

Airy's first responsibilities included supporting slope stability analyses, reviewing ground investigation data, and assisting with design calculations and technical reports.

While these tasks provided valuable technical experience, they also highlighted how much responsibility sits behind every engineering recommendation. Every piece of information, whether it's soil properties, groundwater conditions, or site investigation data, contributes to decisions that directly influence public safety.

Through these experiences, he deepened his understanding of local slope stability assessment methods, geotechnical modelling, and the regulatory requirements that guide engineering decisions.

Most importantly, he began to see how theoretical concepts learned at university are applied in real-world scenarios, where every site presents its own unique conditions and challenges.

Growing through challenges

Like many graduates, one of Airy's biggest challenges was adjusting to situations that didn't always have straightforward answers.

Real projects rarely resemble textbook examples, and engineering decisions often require careful judgement based on incomplete information, site conditions, and practical constraints. Learning to navigate that uncertainty took time.

Whenever he encountered something unfamiliar, Airy relied on the support of experienced colleagues, asked questions, reviewed previous project examples, and took every opportunity to learn from those around him.

Looking back, he sees those moments as some of the most valuable learning experiences of his first 90 days. Each challenge helped strengthen his technical understanding while also building his confidence as a young engineer.

A rewarding moment in the field

One experience stands out above the rest. During a slope assessment site inspection, Airy had the opportunity to observe ground conditions firsthand and see how field observations influence engineering decisions. It was a chance to connect the technical analyses he had been working on in the office with the real environments they were designed to protect.

As someone who spends much of his free time hiking, the experience felt particularly meaningful. Seeing familiar terrain through an engineering lens gave him a completely new appreciation for the work involved in maintaining slope safety.

Knowing that these assessments contribute to protecting communities, infrastructure, and the landscapes people enjoy every day made the experience especially rewarding.

Building a strong foundation for the future

Reflecting on his first 90 days, Airy describes the experience as both challenging and rewarding. He has developed technical knowledge, gained exposure to live projects, and worked alongside experienced professionals who have supported his development every step of the way. More importantly, he has gained a stronger understanding of how engineering can have a meaningful impact on people's everyday lives.

For future graduates and new joiners, his advice is simple: stay curious, ask questions, and focus on understanding the reasoning behind decisions, not just the processes themselves.

"The more you understand the bigger picture, the more meaningful the work becomes."

As he continues to grow in his career, Airy is looking forward to building on the foundations of his first few months and contributing to projects that help create safer, more resilient communities.

Interested in starting your own engineering career at AtkinsRéalis? Whether you're a student, graduate, or early-career professional, explore our current opportunities and discover how you can work on meaningful projects, learn from experienced industry experts, and make a real impact from day one.