Hi, I’m Tom and I joined the Maritime team in Newcastle in 2021 after graduating from Newcastle University with a Meng in Civil Engineering. I’m passionate about what I do, I like knowing that what I do is going to make a difference, either directly or indirectly to a community or organisations.
I have been involved with the PGN since I started, and it has allowed me to meet new people within the office that I might not have otherwise. This increases connections and friendships within the office and can also provide inter-company connections with other ECP’s across the company. The support you receive from your line manager is crucial to your progression, especially as a Graduate and I feel as though my line manager and team are very supportive of me and push me to undertake new tasks and expand my abilities.
The culture has been engaging and helpful, with an emphasis on joining in and getting involved in the various aspects of employment by a large organisation (projects, PGN etc.). I believe WSP are doing all they can to be an inclusive employer, there are a number of company groups such as CREED and VIBE with promote inclusivity and diversity within the company and run events or activities. Yes, I usually take the WSP hour to have an extended lunch break if I am working on something complex that requires a lot of energy/effort, and hybrid working means that I can work from the comfort of my own home part of the week, which can break up any routine and re-invigorate me.
The application process is relatively simple (especially to other companies). Answered a few questions with my initial applications, then completed the game-based assessment, then had an interview with the team director. The interview was very pleasant, there were a few fairly generic questions, but beyond that it was quite like having a chat. My now director didn’t come across as intimidating or grilling, but relaxed and allowed me to speak, which only help me to relax more.
The Maritime team works on interesting and engaging projects, which are varied in length and requirements. Maritime infrastructure is very varied in its size and scope, as well as its uses and the dynamic nature of its challenges. Ports, harbours, and other coastal infrastructure are essential to the way the world works, as cargo ships and transportation vessels are how nearly all goods are transported across the globe. Without them, society would quite literally collapse.
