What made you choose a career in the construction and infrastructure industry?
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my Grandad, who worked as a carpenter on residential projects. Watching him work sparked my interest in structures and how they are designed and constructed. This interest continued throughout my time at school, where I developed a strong passion for engineering and discovered that a career in construction engineering was the path I wanted to pursue.
I have always wanted a career that combines practical, hands-on work with technical knowledge rather than being entirely office-based. The construction industry provides the ideal balance, allowing me to undertake planning and technical tasks within the office while also spending time on site. Being able to see my work progress from plans into real structures is something I find particularly rewarding and fulfilling. This combination of technical problem-solving and seeing projects come to life is what continues to motivate me to pursue a career in the construction and infrastructure industry.
I take great pride in working for STRABAG UK on one of Europe's largest construction projects. I will always be grateful for the opportunity STRABAG gave me to begin my career on a major construction site while supporting me in completing my university degree alongside my work.
What has been your highlight or biggest achievement since joining STRABAG UK?
Throughout my career with STRABAG UK, I have experienced many highlights, both personally and through the work I have been involved in on site.
From a personal perspective, one of my proudest achievements was completing my four-year degree course at the beginning of 2026, graduating with a First-Class Bachelor’s degree with Honours. This was a significant milestone for me, as it reflected the commitment and hard work I had put into balancing my academic studies alongside my role on the HS2 project.
Another personal highlight came during my second year, when I received the ‘Most Dependable’ award at the SCS Apprenticeship Awards. I was nominated for this award by my former line manager, who was the Construction Manager on my site at the time. My line manager consistently provided me with support, guidance and encouragement throughout my development. Being nominated by someone I respected so highly gave me a great sense of achievement and reinforced my confidence in my own abilities as an Engineer.
Over the five years I have spent working at the Victoria Road Crossover Box site on the HS2 project, I have been involved in a wide range of challenging and rewarding work.
Being part of such a significant operation was a major highlight of my time on the project. It demonstrated the level of collaboration, organisation and commitment required to successfully deliver complex construction activities, and it is an experience that I will look back on with pride throughout my career.
What’s something you’ve learned since starting that you didn’t expect?
One thing I’ve learned since starting that I didn’t expect is the amount of knowledge and skills there is still to learn. When I started my early careers role, I expected that by the end of my apprenticeship or course, I would have developed most of the knowledge and skills I needed to be a successful engineer. However, I’ve realised that engineering is a continuous learning process. There are always new challenges, technologies and situations that even experienced and senior engineers may not have encountered before.
That has been unexpected, but also motivating, as it has changed my perspective on learning. Rather than seeing my apprenticeship as the point where I gain all the knowledge I need, I now see it as building the foundations that will allow me to keep developing throughout my career.
What advice would you give to someone considering an early careers role with STRABAG UK?
Starting an early careers role in the construction industry can feel daunting at first. Everyone is busy, and it can take some time to adjust from an educational environment to the world of work.
My advice to anyone considering an early careers role with STRABAG UK is: Apply and use the interview process as an opportunity to decide whether it is right for you.
I was extremely nervous going into my interview, having come straight from completing my A-levels. However, meeting the team and learning more about the company and the role gave me the reassurance and confidence that STRABAG UK was the company I wanted to work for and that this was the career path I wanted to pursue.
There is nothing to lose by attending an interview and deciding that the role isn’t right for you. However, you may regret not applying and missing out on the opportunity to discover a career path you could really enjoy with STRABAG UK.
So, if you’re considering applying, go for it! You never know where that first application could take you.