insights A graduate's guide to embracing opportunities

Meet graduate consultant Lottie Hayman. Fresh from her Chemistry degree, Lottie joined AtkinsRéalis and our Junior Consultant Development Programme (JCDP). She’s blending her passion for science with our diverse opportunities, and here she shares her experiences and insights.

What made me choose consultancy with AtkinsRéalis?

As I write this, I'm hot desking as part of the Aerospace, Defence, Security & Technology (ADS&T) team. I'm based in Bristol and work as a Programme Manager. My academic background is a BSc and MRes in Chemistry from the University of Nottingham. I loved many aspects of my degree and continue to be passionate about Chemistry. My Master's Course helped me realize that consultancy was a better fit for me than laboratory work, and the variety of projects and opportunities at AtkinsRéalis attracted me.

My first impressions 

During my first week, I found the JCDP a very supportive environment and community. My line manager and assigned buddy helped me settle into the programme seamlessly. I immediately felt inspired by the volume and variety of development opportunities.

"I joined AtkinsRéalis because they prioritize employees – the effort the organization puts in to ensure junior consultants feel valued and supported is clear." —Lottie, Graduate Consultant

The most valuable lesson I've learnt

The importance of networking has stood out for me. The many networking events across the organization have been vital for my career development and confidence and for building relationships.

The projects graduate consultants get to work on

Since joining a year ago, I have worked on many client and internal projects, from cost modelling to supporting one of our employee resource groups and working for a key account in ADS&T as a work-package manager. These roles gave me excellent insight into new markets and opened doors for diverse networks and skills development. Across everything we do, I love that our projects, work, and initiatives create better environmental and community outcomes.

"Don't assume, because you're new, that your ideas and opinions won't be appreciated or valued. Be confident you have something valuable to contribute, regardless of your background or experience." —Lottie, Graduate Consultant

Opportunities across different markets

Being part of the JCDP has given me the flexibility to try out different roles and industries to discover the direction I would like to take in my career. And, in ADS&T, there are many different markets to choose from, with presentations and internal initiatives helping us discover more.

How graduates are supported

Whenever you start a new role, there are always challenges. At AtkinsRéalis, the culture and support, from line managers to training and coaching, make these transitions smoother. The culture ensures safe work environments where every team member has the confidence to speak up about their ideas and isn't afraid to make mistakes. We can raise concerns, no matter what our grade or experience is.

"The JCDP is a great community – we all support each other, working and socializing together across different business areas." — Lottie, Graduate Consultant

AtkinsRéalis policies that graduates rate most

Top of my list is our flexible working policy, which encourages a healthy work-life balance in graduates. I also enjoy the strong emphasis and commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I), where every staff member is welcome to get involved in our various employee resource groups and events. It's great that we have easy access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and plenty of support and resources to keep us mentally, physically and financially well.

How AtkinsRealis aligns with my personal and professional values

I've always believed strongly in doing the right thing. I take pride in delivering the best result in everything I do. As an advocate for ED&I, I’m passionate about working for a company that commits to a fair and safe workplace for all. I enjoy working with and learning from others from a wide variety of backgrounds. I've always participated in team sports and activities. I have found that I thrive in a team environment and love collaborating with others and seeing their different strengths come together to support one another.

I've always been curious about how things work and how to improve processes, hence my interest in science. I bring this to the workplace, always thinking of ways to continually improve. I also love to work with people who are very different from me, and this diversity of thinking generates the best and most innovative ideas! 

My advice if you're interested in a graduate consultant role with us

Find out more about AtkinsRéalis. Understanding a company and ensuring its values align with yours before you apply is essential. If you want flexibility and breadth of experience, join us. This is a great place to discover your dream career direction and achieve your best.

Learn everything about our graduate programme and apply now.