Environmental Practice Degree Apprentice Review

I support on environmental projects, making maps using ArcGIS, making Excel spreadsheets, inputting into and formatting reports, joining Teams meetings, and sending emails, across all environmental disciplines such as Water, Air Quality, Stakeholder, Ecology.

Developed my computer skills using new software, my people skills from leading meetings and talking to so many people, my formal writing skills from reports and university work.

The people are lovely and supportive, it's really fun working with my team. I would like to do more work outside and directly helping the environment but that isn't what consultancy is, I think this is a good stepping stone to do that later in my career.

It is a relatively new programme but both Mott Macdonald and Coventry University are learning and adapting quickly, taking on our feedback and they really care about our experience. It has improved dramatically and is now functioning smoothly.

You are assigned a buddy, mentor, and line manager, who are there for you and everyone in the company is really approachable. Mott Macdonald has lots of employee benefits and is flexible, understanding there is life outside of work.

There are module leaders who we can contact with any questions as well as the course director, and as we visit university in blocks with long breaks in between, there are teams calls scheduled for questions about coursework.

The course has no exams, every assignment is something you might do in the work place, such as reports, presentations, group posters. We also learn about a variety of environmental sectors, such as law and pollution sampling. It helps you practice your job in a low stakes environment.

There are lots of sports and social events such as the annual sports day, as well as weekly clubs like netball. There are also team lunches, Christmas parties, and one-off activities like kayaking or skiing. As well as conferences and workshops related to projects.

Yes

As an international company there are so many opportunities and you could do so many different jobs without leaving, however it doesn't feel like a huge company, it is familiar, and everyone is approachable and encouraging.

Be honest, be yourself, show that you are passionate about what you want to do. Ask as many questions as you can about work or socials, show that you will engage with the company.