insights Is building services a good career? And how do I get in?

Apurva Jaishankar is a Graduate Engineer at Atkins, a member of the AtkinsRéalis Group. She sits in the Building Services team, which is part of the Infrastructure practice in London. Her background in Architectural Engineering and Smart Building Design piqued her interest in Net Zero design and sustainability in the built environment.

"Love STEM subjects as well as cities and buildings of the future? Apurva's interview will give you everything you need to know about an exciting career in Building Services Engineering."

Is building services engineering a good career?

I love being a Building Services Engineer because it gives me the knowledge and skills to bring about impactful changes in the world. It is interesting that the projects I am involved in also touch the lives of many people, and I love to see the results come to life. Whether it is a railway station, office, hospital or warehouse, it's rewarding to know that our designs make life better for people around the world.

What skills do I need as a building services engineer?

There are lots of skills and traits that you might already have. Are you analytical? Do you enjoy solving problems and looking at them from different angles? Are you a great team player and good at managing your time and resources? Then you have majority of the key soft skills required to be a good engineer!

As a Building Services Engineer, you'll also require some technical capabilities, such as a sound understanding of Maths and Physics and also be good at presenting your ideas and solutions to non-technical colelagues. When you start higher education and work, you'll learn how to use different softwares, understand drawings/models and 3D visualisation tools which will aid in becoming an engineer.

"Get involved in community STEM competitions and clubs to better understand careers in engineering or construction!”

What does a graduate building services engineer do?

Even though I am a Graduate Engineer, my team at Atkins trusts me with a wide range of tasks, from technical design to brainstorming during a workshop, report writing, computer simulations, client presentations and bid proposals. My team often involves me in decision-making on projects I've worked on, so it's an enriching environment to develop in.

What kind of projects do Building Services Engineers work on?

I am passionate about sustainability and have worked on many projects related to Net Zero during my time at Atkins. Of these, two notable projects are Edaroth and Decarbonomics.

"Edaroth is an acronym for 'Everyone Deserves A Roof Over Their Head' and is an ingenious venture by Atkins to add social value by creating efficient and affordable housing on disused land."

On Edaroth, my role was to obtain feedback on a pilot building's performance after it had been built and occupied. This form of data analysis gives us a better understanding of the actual performance of the building and helps us fine-tune our future designs.

Decarbonomics is an end-to-end service introduced by AtkinsRéalis 's Engineering Net Zero division, which uses all our in-house Net Zero capabilities to reduce carbon across our clients' various properties cost-effectively. My role in Decarbonomics is that of a Data and Digital Assistant Engineer, where I help develop the key deliverables.

How are you engineering a better future on these projects?

Both these projects are vital in creating a more sustainable future by addressing all three pillars of sustainability, which as environment, economy and social wellbeing. Edaroth utilises Modern Methods of Construction to deliver energy-efficient social housing, while Decarbonomics is gaining global momentum for being an intelligent tool to decarbonise infrastructure worldwide.

What has been your most memorable day on a project?

I would say an Edaroth site visit to our pilot project in Lambeth with a senior researcher. Our task for the day was to analyse and strategise the positions of the thermal comfort sensors that had previously been placed within the show-home. As this was shortly after I joined Atkins as a fresh graduate, this was a wonderful hands-on learning experience for me.

What's it like working inside Atkins? Will I fit in?

I can choose to work from home or at our office in London, which with its open plan design and agile seating, is a very welcoming work environment. We also have a Lava Lab at the office, which is an innovative space where we can think and work differently. It includes virtual reality, collaboration and immersion zones, so we can push the boundaries of data and technology!

During some projects, I frequently need to be on-site at a client's office, and I've often been the only young woman of colour. However, I've never felt out of place and have always been treated as an equal team member.

What's the Building Services team like in London?

Broadly divided into Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health engineers, the London team comprises of over 50 engineers with varied backgrounds and specialisms. There are plenty of graduate and junior peers to approach regarding everyday matters and senior engineers to consult regarding technical queries. It is a great team, with everyone available to help those who need it.

Do you get any more formal support inside Atkins?

I have been provided guidance through a variety of mentorships at Atkins. My Line Manager is the first point of call for all general matters, while my Buddy is a fellow graduate who is always up for a chat. I also have a Chartership Mentor who guides me through the process of becoming a Chartered Engineer through quarterly discussions and I also have a Career Development Mentor, with whom I can discuss all matters regarding my career progression. This provides a very supportive ecosystem to learn and grow in.

How are you directing your career in a way that suits you?

I've chosen to carve out my niche in this big, multinational organisation by getting involved in various departments such as Building Physics, Research and Innovation and the Net Zero Building and Cities team.

"As part of Atkins' Graduate Development Programme, I benefit from specially curated workshops on resilience, communication and presentation skills and understanding strengths & weaknesses."

I'm also well supported in my progression towards chartership through Atkins' Training and Development scheme. Colleagues are also happy to provide feedback at any time which is great to review my progression!

I'd love a Building Services career at Atkins. What should I do next?

Sign up for one of our Career Fairs or Insights Events to learn more about the different departments you can venture into at Atkins. You'll be able to network with employees and like-minded people, attend useful workshops, interact with potential managers and understand the path you'll need to follow to enter this amazing field. Good luck!

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