Let’s find your next opportunity​

{{ job.job_posting_title }}
{{item.trim() }} {{item.trim() }} {{item.trim() }}
{{ job.job_posting_title }}

{{ job.is_cms_job ? (job.cities.split(';').length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) : (job.location_mappings.length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) }}

saved
viewed

From reinvention to recognition: My journey to becoming a chartered project professional

What does it take to rebuild your career — and rise even higher than before? Kajal’s journey is a story of courage, reinvention, and earning one of the highest recognitions in project management.

At AtkinsRéalis, we believe every career has its own rhythm, some are linear, others evolve through reinvention, resilience, and rediscovery. Kajal’s story reflects the power of embracing change, stepping forward with courage, and building a career on your own terms. From restarting her corporate journey to becoming the first Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) from our Global Technology Centre, her path is one of determination and purpose.

 

 

 Read her story in her own words.

 

Finding my way forward

My career began in 2001 as a sales and marketing executive, but life took me in new directions. When I moved to the UK with my family in 2006, I earned a childcare qualification (NVQ Level 3) and began working in the education sector to balance work and family and be able to take care of my daughter at the same time. This phase allowed me to continue growing, learning, and staying professionally active all while balancing personal responsibilities.

After returning to India, I continued teaching for a few years and completed Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.). As my children grew older and more independent, it was time to return to the corporate world and re‑establish my professional identity.

 

A new beginning at AtkinsRéalis

In 2016, I joined AtkinsRéalis, marking a pivotal moment in my journey. Since then, I’ve contributed across diverse roles in Project Delivery and Information Management. While working closely with different teams, I realized something important — managing people, tasks, and outcomes came naturally to me.

This intuitive understanding of coordination and planning helped me transition into project management responsibilities. To complement my experience with strong business acumen, I pursued an MBA, which sharpened my strategic thinking, leadership approach, and ability to manage diverse stakeholders effectively. Equipped with this broader perspective, I contributed to large, complex, and multidisciplinary initiatives, and with each passing year, my confidence and capabilities deepened. I am truly grateful to leaders in both India and globally who believed in my potential and supported me through each phase of my development.

 

Choosing the path to chartered status

I had always admired professionals who earned Chartered status through various institutions. It made me wonder if I could achieve something similar in project management. That curiosity led me to the Association for Project Management (APM) — the only body offering Chartered recognition in this field.

I began my journey by completing the APM Project Management Qualification. But I knew I wanted to go further.

Starting the Chartered process wasn’t easy. Being the first one from my office Global Technology Center (GTC) to pursue it, which meant fewer local resources, no ready‑made peer groups, and limited access to mentors, the process felt unfamiliar, sometimes overwhelming, but I stayed committed.

Self‑motivation, discipline, and the belief that I could achieve this milestone helped me move forward step by step.

 

What this milestone means to me

Becoming a Chartered Project Professional isn’t just a title.

Professionally, it validates my skills, strengthens my ability to contribute at a higher level, and allows me to support the project management community more meaningfully.

Personally, it represents years of reinvention, determination, and continuous learning and a reminder that it’s never too late to grow your career.

I am deeply thankful to my mentors, my supportive leadership, and above all, my family who have been the foundation of my journey for over two decades. Balancing studying, parenting, and full‑time work hasn’t been easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding.

 

Life outside work

Beyond work, I cherish life’s simple pleasures — cooking for my family, exploring new places together, and immersing myself in music. These moments keep me grounded and bring a sense of balance to my world.

My advice to others

To anyone aspiring to become Chartered or navigating a career transition here’s my message:

Start small, stay consistent, and don’t rush the outcome. Identify your gaps, work on them, and success will follow.

Kajal’s story is a reminder that careers aren’t defined by where you start, but by the courage to keep moving forward.

If you’re ready to explore what’s possible and grow in an environment that supports your ambitions, discover opportunities with AtkinsRéalis and begin your own journey today.

 

 

Related blogs

Bhavya smiling

Designing for better learning environments, from Bengaluru to the UK.

Discover how Bhavya is helping design sustainable, future-ready education spaces for UK communities while building her architectural career at AtkinsRéalis.

Card link for Designing for better learning environments, from Bengaluru to the UK.
Faye smiling in front of camera

From tree planting to carbon modelling: A small tradition that shaped a career.

For Faye, sustainability started with a simple habit and grew into a career. From studying geology to contributing to carbon modelling on major infrastructure projects, her journey shows how personal passion can evolve into meaningful impact.

Card link for From tree planting to carbon modelling: A small tradition that shaped a career.
Aishwarya smiling in front of camera

From Pune to UK rivers: what Aishwarya’s intern work in water quality looks like.

At AtkinsRéalis, meaningful environmental impact can begin early in your career. As an intern in the Water Management Consultancy team, Aishwarya is helping assess water quality and pollution risks in UK rivers, applying her academic knowledge to real-world challenges that support healthier ecosystems and better environmental outcomes.

Card link for From Pune to UK rivers: what Aishwarya’s intern work in water quality looks like.
Mohit standing in front of lake

Building energy resilience where it matters most

Whether it's supporting global net-zero commitments or helping improve energy resilience in remote communities, Mohit’s work reflects the growing role sustainability professionals play in shaping a more sustainable future.

Card link for Building energy resilience where it matters most
Sahil in black suit

Designing cooler cities for a hotter world

Meet Sahil, driving resilient cities at AtkinsRéalis by turning climate challenges into solutions through urban planning, climate adaptation, and digital innovation.

Card link for Designing cooler cities for a hotter world

From data to impact: Varna’s journey shaping global sustainability reporting from India

At AtkinsRéalis, sustainability is driven by both strategy and data. Varna’s work focuses on turning complex environmental information into meaningful insights, supporting global sustainability reporting, climate action, and informed decision-making across regions.

Card link for From data to impact: Varna’s journey shaping global sustainability reporting from India

Why Pankaj came back to AtkinsRéalis to grow his sustainability career

From graduate engineer to Principal Sustainability Consultant, explore Pankaj’s journey and his work shaping sustainable building performance across the Middle East.

Card link for Why Pankaj came back to AtkinsRéalis to grow his sustainability career
road stretching off into the distance

A first for Ireland: building carbon reduction into the tender

How a career with AtkinsRéalis Ireland means building carbon reduction in from the beginning.

Card link for A first for Ireland: building carbon reduction into the tender

Tomasz on building a squiggly career in International Urban Development Advisory

Meet Tomasz and discover how embracing new opportunities can shape a truly global career path.

Card link for Tomasz on building a squiggly career in International Urban Development Advisory
Tom Johnson House, Dublin, Ireland - brick building against a bright blue sky

From C3 to A2: a deep retrofit in Dublin 4

How AtkinsRéalis’ structural engineering capability in Ireland drives sustainable and visible value – what could you add?

Card link for From C3 to A2: a deep retrofit in Dublin 4
Kristi smiling at the camera

Sustainability isn’t a job title. It’s a way of practising.

From early lessons in solar living, discover how Kristi is redefining sustainability in design and preparing for LEED v5.

Card link for Sustainability isn’t a job title. It’s a way of practising.
Image of Amy at the big bang fair

From music technology to acoustic consulting: Amy on building a career in environment digital

Discover how Amy is turning technical knowledge into real-world impact through acoustics and digital solutions.

Card link for From music technology to acoustic consulting: Amy on building a career in environment digital

Related jobs

We are sorry there are no jobs that match your exact criteria. Try a new search term, or use the filters to continue browsing for available opportunities.

group of people talking to each other

Everyone belongs

We empower each individual to shine and contribute to our collective impact. We believe in the power of unique perspectives. It’s how we’re engineering a better future every single day.