On a normal day in the office Graham Hardy’s to do list looks like this: structural inspections, resurfacing works, budgeting for future projects, and conducting risk assessments for dangerous goods transport.
Name: Graham Hardy
Degree: MEng Civil Engineering Year of Graduation: 2007 #
Place of Study: Bristol University
Current place of employment: Transport for London
Current position/job title: Graduate Civil Engineer He’s crunching numbers, working out ratios and updating and testing procedures and systems.
Graham’s job as a graduate civil engineer for Transport for London (TfL) has him looking after London’s tunnels – all 13 of them. Some may say that 13 is an unlucky number, but Graham has thought carefully about his career options.
A graduate of Bristol University, Graham has a Masters in Civil Engineering next to his name. “Initially I wanted to study architecture but after discovering that it was a seven year course and realising that if I kept my maths and physics going I would have more choices on finishing university, I chose engineering. It was a decision based on future employment potential rather than how much fun I would have at uni.” Since graduating in 2007, Graham has been on the TfL graduate program.
His first five months saw him joining the Highways Department working on projects such as trialing new types of lighting – street lamps and cat’s eyes - and being involved in streetscape design. “I was working with the different technical experts of the team putting together information on the appearance, signage, and the overall look of London’s streets. So I would talk with the lighting expert when looking at lighting, and the road surfacing expert when working on that aspect.”
The TfL graduate program lasts for two years and graduates such as Graham get the opportunity to experience working within four to six different departments throughout that time.
The TfL graduate program lasts for two years and graduates such as Graham get the opportunity to experience working within four to six different departments throughout that time. The length of placement is usually about three to four months but can vary for students depending on the different projects they’re involved in. “My degree was quite vocational so my employer knows exactly what management and technical skills they will be getting and that they will be suited to the work I will be doing. I hope that in my present position I will have a choice to either follow a management or technical role within the civil infrastructure. I think it has also given me the opportunity to build up transferable skills.” Graham says the highlights of his job at TfL are the work-life balance, structured learning path, benefits, job security and reputation of the public sector. “Some of the work can be interesting and the scale of projects can be impressive,” he says.
Engineers are in demand and Graham applied for the TfL graduate program in 2006 – a full year before he finished his degree. “I had my interview before Christmas 2006 and then was notified I had been successful in April 2007. I think the recruitment process was very similar to other companies.” With a job secured, Graham could sit back and relax throughout the last year of his degree but that wasn’t to be the case. “I knew my finals would be full on so I didn’t want to have to be worrying about applying for positions when I needed to be studying. And it also meant that once I finished uni, I didn’t have to spend the summer applying for jobs. I could go travelling instead.” And that’s exactly what he did – to South America and Australia.
"If you compare your salary to bankers and lawyers you’ll probably be disappointed but then compare the hours you’re working and you might not feel so bad".
Graham says graduate engineering salaries are getting better every year but there does tend to be a cap on them depending on the position. “Employment in civil engineering provides a decent, stable income. If you want to become rich you’ll need to set yourself apart in terms of management or start your own company. If you compare your salary to bankers and lawyers you’ll probably be disappointed but then compare the hours you’re working and you might not feel so bad. “ However, there are numerous opportunities for travel. “That’s one of the best things you can do with an engineering degree. The skills you are acquire are so transferable you can take them anywhere in the world.” Perhaps in his next job, Graham will be digging his way through tunnels down under.