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

Graduating and looking for your passion?

Hello, future game-changers! My name is Caleb, and I'm a graduate consultant at AtkinsRéalis. 

If you've been thinking about applying for graduate scheme jobs and are wondering what it's like on our graduate programme, read on for insight and an answer to the question "How do I find my passion?"

A picture of Caleb standing on a footpath with a beautiful tree behind him

In this blog, I'll tell you a bit about myself, how I started with AtkinsRéalis, and what it's like to be on one of our consulting graduate schemes.

About me: discovering my path in engineering

In 2022, I graduated from Teesside University with a master's degree in civil and structural engineering. Specializing in sustainable wastewater treatment solutions, I had a deep understanding of environmental impacts and an earnest desire to make a difference. 

A tough job market led me to pivot from civil engineering to health, safety, and environment (HSE). I reinforced this shift leveraging my prior NEBOSH certification and embarking on a nine-month upskilling program. I was ready to see these construction safety standards play out on real-world projects!

Joining AtkinsRéalis health & safety graduate scheme

In September 2023, I joined AtkinsRéalis as a graduate HSE Consultant, specifically as a Principal Designer for our clients. This role allowed me to use my civil engineering background and passion for HSE. 

Now, I'm part of a diverse team that works on a wide range of projects across Scotland in the commercial, education, and utility sectors to deliver a range of health and safety-related services.

What are the roles and responsibilities of a Principal Designer?

A Principal Designer's primary role is to ensure that health and safety considerations are integral to a project's design and planning stages. 

I'm responsible for the many tasks that help keep our construction sites safe and up to standard. This includes performing site audits/risk assessments to spot potential hazards, preparing detailed pre-construction information to keep everyone informed, ensuring our projects meet all safety regulations in line with relevant regulations, and collaborating with clients and colleagues throughout construction to ensure safety is always a priority.

My journey so far shows how important adaptability and continuous learning are in your early career.

I'm developing the career I want

At AtkinsRéalis, the supportive environment of colleagues, line managers, and senior management has significantly enabled my professional growth.

Programmes such as chartership sessions help us find routes to chartership in our fields. I've been supported in pursuing CPD training and further learning by enrolling in a two-year diploma course as part of my journey to chartership. 

Support and flexibility at AtkinsRéalis have given me the autonomy to juggle my work and study demands, finding a perfect balance of home, office, and site work.

What it's really like to work here

Work/life balance and flexibility are two things I love about working at AtkinsRéalis. 

The organization places a big emphasis on balancing work and personal life. I've had situations where I'm reminded to take some time off and offered help managing my workload, showing a clear concern for me. This positive culture is also characterized by a tailored personal development plan aligning with my preferences and aiding my career progression.

The most valuable support has been from my line manager and colleagues across my projects and ongoing diploma courses. I am constantly learning at AtkinsRéalis, where everyone is eager to share knowledge and help me grow professionally. 

So far, I have learned so much as part of the team, and it's even better than I anticipated. This support has been invaluable and even helped me complete my diploma course's first module.

How I'm shaping a sustainable future

Across our projects, we aim to make sustainable recommendations for people and the environment. 

In one of our demolition projects, we were able to repurpose a significant amount of the demolished steel.

In relation to construction waste, which accounts for a whopping 62% of waste generated in the UK, we also incorporate proper waste management strategies with waste delivery notes as requirements for contractors where necessary. This is often contractual, and we enforce this to ensure that waste from our sites is disposed of safely and does not pollute the environment.

At AtkinsRéalis, young professionals can really make a significant impact. I'm proud of how I safeguard everyone on my project sites.

I enjoy where I'm taking my career with AtkinsRéalis

Everyone on my team is committed to excellence in health and safety, and our principal designer services are a testament to this. 

By ensuring that safety is a foundational element of every project, we not only comply with regulatory standards but also promote a culture of safety that protects lives and enhances the quality of our projects. 

Explore our graduate scheme jobs today. Make sure to check out our guide on things to consider when applying to graduate schemes too.

Discover more early careers insight

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 discussion in a talent community meeting

Talent Community

Would you like to know more? Not ready to apply? Join our talent community to stay connected and engaged with us at AtkinsRéalis.