You don’t need all the answers to start your career

Meet Matthew, an Assistant Engineer who has discovered that starting your career isn’t about having all the answers. Through curiosity, support and embracing new challenges, he’s grown in ways he never expected.

Starting out without having all the answers

If there is one thing I wish I had known before applying, it is this. You are not expected to be an expert when you first join.

That may sound obvious, but early in your career it is easy to feel like you need to arrive with all the answers. My experience has been the opposite. From the start, there has been time to learn, space to grow, and genuine support to help you develop in the role.

One of the first things I learned is that there really is no such thing as a silly question. Asking questions is encouraged, especially when you are new. That mindset makes a huge difference. It creates an environment where curiosity is valued and where learning feels like part of the job, rather than something you need to hide.

For me, curiosity, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn have been far more important than knowing everything from day one. Making the most of the opportunities around you, whether that means learning from colleagues or using the resources available, leads to development that is incredibly valuable.

A highlight that showed how far I had come

One of the biggest highlights of my career so far was attending my first conference, the British Dam Society Biennial Conference, and presenting to an audience of more than 300 leading industry experts.

The timing of the conference made it even more meaningful. It took place around my two year anniversary of joining as a graduate, which made it feel like a real marker of how far I had progressed since starting out.

The opportunity came from work I had completed relating to dam instrumentation at a Scottish reservoir. Senior colleagues recognised the potential for that work to become a formal paper and encouraged me to take it further. I went on to co author the paper, submit it to the British Dam Society, and we were invited to present.

Presenting at that stage of my career was nerve racking, but it was also hugely rewarding. Standing in front of such an experienced audience was a challenge, and finding out I was the youngest presenter at the conference made the experience even more memorable.

Looking back, that moment captures a lot of what my early careers experience has been about. I was trusted with meaningful work, supported by the people around me, and given an opportunity that pushed me beyond what I thought I was ready for.

Why open mindedness matters

If I were giving advice to someone thinking about applying, it would be to stay open minded and willing to try new things.

There are so many different areas across the business, and you are surrounded by knowledgeable and supportive people. You do not need to start with a specialist career path already mapped out. Being curious and open to learning matters far more.

The best opportunities are often the ones you would not have planned for yourself. Trying new things, even to see whether they are right for you, is still progress and helps shape where you want to grow.

Growing as an engineer and as a person

When I reflect on my early careers journey, the biggest takeaway is how much it has supported my growth, not just as an engineer, but as a person.

My experience has shown me that growth does not come from having everything figured out at the beginning. It comes from asking questions, using the support around you, and saying yes to opportunities that challenge you.

For anyone considering an early careers path, that would be my key message. You do not need to know everything before you begin. You just need to be ready to learn, stay curious, and see where the experience can take you. Explore our Early Careers opportunities.