Industrial Placement Student - Bridges Review

I was tasked with completing a range of tasks for different clients within the Bridges team at the Bristol office. I assisted on bridge and culvert assessments for capacity under high loading, designed culvert bedding surrounds, and responded to high-profile clients offering potential concrete remedial works. My day to day included emailing technical queries to colleagues and clients, assessment work including calculations and report writing and AutoCAD design work.

I was tasked with undertaking end-to-end assessments for two structural assets, with the responsibility for originating every associated deliverable for the client. I was given responsibilities from the outset, working independently on all projects. However, I worked alongside mentors to steer my inputs, and to provide professional indemnity.

I have massively developed my ability to use FEA Bridge analysis softwares, that are industry standard, including Midas Civil and ASBD. During technical discussions, I have enhanced my communication skills to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, and my ability to tailor my responses accordingly. I have also developed a strong understanding for industry technical and assurance standards, skills that are very transferrable into my later career.

I received quarterly 1-1 meetings with my line-manager to discuss my goals and my progress in achieving them. I also was assigned a mentor per project / assessment to act as my point of contact for any technical queries - resultant discussions about said queries often ended in training sessions to enable my understanding of the response. In short, I felt fully supported throughout my placement.

With monthly office wide events, and bi-monthly coffee roulette pairings, there was always something social occurring at the office. I made many close connections during my time at Mott MacDonald, and am set to attend a European office wide sports day at the end of my placement, competing on behalf of the Bristol office.

Having gained invaluable industry knowledge and exposure, as well as some close social connections, my time at Mott MacDonald has been unforgettable! I have really enjoyed the breadth of projects that I have worked on, and the variety of colleagues and clients that I have worked alongside during my time here. Originating calculations, reports, remedial advice, detailed design, analysis using FEA software, and many more, have enabled me to gain an industry-wide appreciation of typical work activities, and I can't wait to re-enter this field post university!

Yes