Civil Degree Level Apprentice Review

I design kerbs, levels, highways layouts and use programs such a AutoCAD and Civils 3D to create drawings for projects. i am looking to design further drainage in the future. I problem solve using programs such as ProjectWise and BIM 360.

I have learnt many new skills, using AutoCAD is very useful as i can draw up my design how i require it, and i can use Civils 3D to produce a levels design across the site. My soft skills have improved to, and i feel more comfortable now that i am more experienced with engineering knowledge.

I really enjoy my programme, and the people i am working with. I am given one day a week to complete university work, and sometimes complete work at weekends to ensure i am not behind. It has been a good experience and there are few tasks i dont enjoy completing.

It is very well organised, regular meetings with my line manager, and mentor to discuss progress. The university has organised two meetings so far with my work place mentor. Sometimes the university is not clear enough in terms of the assignments and modules, and we are never told when we are to be given back our marks.

I receive a lot of support from my employer, my colleagues are very helpful in ensuring i enough work to develop my learning. There is always training courses to go to at lunch times, 2 or 3 per week. My manager sources me onto the correct projects to enable me to gain experience with different types of work.

The university supports its students, but you have to reach out via email if you are unsure of anything, because of Covid. They could really be more clear about whn dates are scheduled for the degree. But i prefer having one day per week where i attend university.

Some of the learning from the university course does apply to my work, and it allows me to see the calculations behind the modelling i carry out. I have earnt about the different sides to civil engineering, and contract law is definitely something that will be useful in the future when managing my own projects.

Yes there are, i used to attend bowling once every two weeks, it was set up by a Motts colleague. There was also football on every Wednesday, and an 11 a side team too. There were pub fridays, where they chose a different pub each Friday to attend.

Yes

I have had a very pleasant experience working at Motts, and they aid my development greatly. It has ben enjoyable to work at Mott MacDonald over the past year and a half. We have plenty of good work, and very interesting projects to get involved in. I have had good responsibility over some large scale projects, something i am very proud of.

You have to be willing to learn new things, and not get bogged down on what you dont know. You will learn it along the way and long as you are open to new ideas. The formal side of the job will come naturally and you will adapt to the office environment, and learn to balance work. Maths and physics will help with your job, and the degree.