Becky Drew
My Graduate Story
My name is Becky Drew, and I completed MEng Civil Engineering with Industrial Experience at the University of Birmingham.
I currently work as a Senior Engineer for Curtins. I work on projects ranging from solid design work, such as building analysis models to completing element calculations, report writing, reviewing a project for another engineer for QMS.
A Day in my Life
I usually start with reviewing my inbox and reading all emails, flagging those that need acting on or further consideration. I try to be working on my main morning task soon after 9am, whether that's a meeting, design work or going to site.
Depending on the projects I'm leading at the time, my day could be solid design work, such as building analysis models or completing element calculations, report writing, reviewing a project for another engineer for QMS or lots of meetings. Meetings can vary between full design team sessions, to workshops with individual specialists, to internal discussions with managers. If I'm attending onsite, these tend to be once a month for a project but I tend to have one a week due to my variety of projects. I'll try to schedule these in for a morning or afternoon slot.
I usually catch up with my team lead once a day, whether that's in person or on a call. I also check in daily with technicians or graduates who may be working on my projects, ensuring that work is progressing and deadlines can be met. I tend to do this first thing in the afternoon alongside another batch of responding to emails, before getting into any afternoon commitments.
My Journey to Curtins
My industrial experience placements were the reason I got my graduate job, as I was offered my job from my placement employer (and still work for them today!). As a result, I didn't have to go through any formal application process, which saved me time and stress in my final year. However, I knew I was essentially on a 12-week interview with the company while on placement, so I aimed to make the best impression possible and prove myself both technically and as a member of the wider team.
I applied directly to my company for placement and had an interview with the office director, who then offered me the placement. The overall process was very simple at the time as the company was quite a bit smaller. Now that I sit on the other side and review placement and graduate applications, I know that there's a central application process to HR who reviews CVs. All those eligible will then get sent to the relevant office or business unit for consideration, followed by an interview with at least two members of the team (one senior management and one team lead typically). The interview is mostly a chat about yourself, though there are sometimes some technical questions thrown in just to double-check competency.
My Birmingham Experience
UoB Civil Engineering put a lot of emphasis on group projects, and this really helped me prepare for life working as part of a team. To be a good engineer, you need to be good technically (which UoB gave me an excellent grounding in), but also be able to work alongside so many different types of people.
Not only do I work as part of a team within Curtins, such as with other engineers, technicians, or the other disciplines, but I work constantly with other members of the design team on my projects, such as architects, contractors, clients, developers, specialists...
Birmingham's Impact
Civil Engineering provides a scheme where companies recruit for placements and graduates directly from UoB, currently known as SEEN. I attended the companies fair for this scheme every year and applied to some during my third year. The resources available helped me improve my CV and interview skills, which did ultimately help me secure a job.
I received a University of Birmingham Music Scholarship, which was awarded through an audition process and on the understanding that I contributed to musical life at UoB during my study. Engineering is a very intense course, and having the music scholarship ensured that I kept participating in all forms of university and gave me the creative outlet I needed during times of stress or deadlines. It also gave me opportunities such as workshops, concerts, and an orchestra tour to Italy!
My Achievements
Being able to pick modules in my final year to tailor it towards the area of civil engineering I wanted to do (structures – buildings) and the lecturers I had during my time there. There was always support from my personal tutor and module leaders, which helped me so much during the years.
Graduating! Four years is a long slog and there were tough times going through it. But university was a life experience that I'm so glad I had. I made so many friends that I still count as my best friends over ten years on, and I even met my husband through engineering!
Advice for Students
We want to see who you are as a person when we're reading CVs and interviewing. We want to see a bit of personality, something outside of your course that you're passionate about, or something a bit different. It's not always people who have industrial experience that do better – there are all sorts of experiences and training that can make you stand out to an employer.