Placement Engineer Review

I worked as a Student Engineer in the Rail and Bridges team at Arcadis. My role involved supporting engineers with calculations, bridge assessments, technical reports and design work for rail infrastructure projects. Day-to-day, I used engineering software, attended project meetings, reviewed drawings and collaborated with colleagues across different disciplines. The placement gave me exposure to real projects and helped me develop both my technical and professional skills in a supportive environment.

I was given a good level of responsibility throughout my placement. After an initial training period, I was trusted to contribute to real project work rather than just observing. I worked on structural calculations, bridge assessments, technical reports, drawing checks and engineering approval documents that formed part of project deliverables. My work was reviewed by experienced engineers, but I was encouraged to take ownership of tasks, manage my workload and communicate with project teams. This balance of responsibility and support helped me develop both my technical skills and confidence as an engineer.

During my placement at Arcadis, I developed a wide range of both technical and professional skills. I improved my understanding of structural engineering principles and gained experience using industry-standard software such as MicroStation, MIDAS, Archie-M and Tekla Tedds. I also developed my knowledge of rail infrastructure design, bridge assessments and engineering approval processes.
Alongside the technical aspects, I strengthened my communication, teamwork and time management skills by working with multidisciplinary teams and managing tasks across multiple projects. The placement significantly increased my confidence in applying engineering knowledge in a professional environment and gave me valuable insight into how real-world projects are delivered.

I received a high level of support throughout my placement. From the start, my team was welcoming and always willing to answer questions or provide guidance when needed. I was assigned meaningful work, but there was also a strong support network in place to help me learn and develop. Regular feedback from experienced engineers helped me improve my technical skills and gain confidence in my work. Also i had bi-weekly meetings with my line manager for the first few months which then changed to monthly meetings to catch up and check everything was going well.

The company culture at Arcadis was very positive, supportive and collaborative. From the beginning of my placement, I felt welcomed by the team and was encouraged to ask questions, share ideas and get involved in a wide range of projects. Colleagues at all levels were approachable and willing to offer support and there were plenty of opportunities to attend training sessions, networking events and team activities, which helped me build relationships across the business.

I enjoyed my placement and found it a rewarding experience. The work was interesting and varied, giving me the opportunity to contribute to real engineering projects while learning from experienced professionals. I was trusted with meaningful responsibilities, which made the work feel valuable and helped me develop both technically and professionally. The placement gave me a genuine insight into the engineering industry and confirmed my interest in pursuing a career in this field.

Yes