Life after graduation: shaping a successful career

University is an amazingly important time of your life and can set you up for an awesome career in your dream job. Read all about Bailey, and his experience studying civil engineering at the University of Nottingham.

After graduating from university, Bailey began his successful career at PJS Consulting Engineers Ltd as a Civil Engineer, working on a variety of interesting projects.  

What attracted you to studying engineering? 

I was a typical engineer-in-the-making as a child, playing with Lego, coming up with designs for robots to compete in Robot Wars and wanting nothing more than to build and create wherever possible. This was nurtured by my family, especially by my grandfather who was at the time working with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). 

As I learnt more about maths and physics and got to explore their applications within design and technology, and spent work experiences within multiple parts of the engineering industry, I found myself naturally leaning towards a career in engineering. It was through my work experience that I settled on Civil Engineering. Being involved in large infrastructure projects and working on schemes that I believed would directly benefit people.  

Why did you choose to study at the University of Nottingham? 

When I applied for university, Nottingham was one of the highest-ranking universities for employability. Fortunately, with strong AS and A level results I was able to choose between a number of universities including prestigious engineering institutions such as Imperial College in London. My goal was to utilise university to best place myself within the engineering industry and I felt that Nottingham was the ideal location for that due to its combination of a strong course, plethora of additional activities and opportunities, and good balance between study and social aspects. 

What did you enjoy most about your course?

I loved the real-world aspects of my course. Being able to produce designs and formulae for concrete then see them applied in reality, the surveying field trip, and my research project into the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and low-cost payloads being particular highlights. 

The lecturers and my fellow students were fantastic. The lecturers were always happy to answer additional questions and appreciated it when students showed real interest in their areas of expertise. Each lecturer was a fountain of knowledge far beyond what the course curriculum requires, and only had to be asked should students wish to tap into it. 

How did your time at university help shape your career? 

The modules that I studied helped me suss out what aspects of engineering I was most passionate about. This helped to inform me of which branch of Civil Engineering I wanted to work within and the time I spent working for Atkins on my year in industry drove me to look at smaller consultancies - leading to me joining PJS Consulting Engineers. I would hugely recommend getting time within the industry itself to any student.  

What advice would you give to current engineering students at Nottingham? 

I would advise engineering students to seize every opportunity that they can, especially where they are least expected. Often, opportunities can arise from what would otherwise be a setback - I was never supposed to take a year out but chose to after failing second year. Whilst I definitely felt at the time like that would set me back in my career and was far from what I had scripted for myself, it gave me the opportunity to gain a valuable year of experience which has allowed me to find a role which I enjoy after university and helped me stand out from the crowd in a positive manner. 

Meet more engineering and architecture alumni.