Meet Molly, an apprentice civil and structural engineer who joined Costain in August 2021.
What led you to your career at Costain?
"Coming out of college, I was set on a degree apprenticeship but open to possibilities. My A-levels in Maths, Geography, and 3D Design sparked my interest in engineering, as I saw a clear connection between my skills and the different opportunities within the field. This led me to research different engineering disciplines and organisations to find the right fit for me. From there, I secured a place on the Costain apprentice programme and haven’t looked back."
How does your role contribute to improving people’s lives? Please include an example of a specific project or initiative that you’ve been involved in and the difference it has made.
"In my role as co-chair of the GRaAPS (Graduates and Apprentices) network, I've directly contributed to improving the experience and development of our early careers’ talent. This initiative has significantly helped to build a more cohesive and supportive community, ensuring our colleagues feel more connected and empowered to thrive, both professionally and socially, during these crucial early stages of their careers."
What’s your biggest professional achievement and why? Examples include a person/team you have helped develop, an environmental or social impact achievement or a delivery performance target that was achieved above and beyond expectations.
"My biggest professional achievement to date is winning the CARES national award for my contributions during Constructionarium. This week-long course provided a critical foundation in construction and communication skills within a live site environment. It was a huge honour to be nominated by my university, selected from 80 students in my class, and to ultimately win this national award, competing against over 50 universities. Accepting this award was a pivotal moment; it not only validated my initial skills but also significantly increased my self-confidence."
"I am now working alongside a Costain site team on the Gallows Corner project, as a design site representative. I don’t think this would’ve been possible if I hadn’t built my confidence from participating in activities such as the Constructionarium work."
What do you enjoy most about working at Costain?
"I enjoy the constant opportunity for new experiences and learning. My apprenticeship has been incredibly valuable in providing a fresh perspective on problem-solving, teaching me different ways to approach challenges. I'm also genuinely grateful for the support I've received throughout this journey, which has been key to my development."
What have you learned / what has inspired you during your time at Costain?
"All my colleagues inspire me everyday with the different projects they’re managing and the way they treat others. I am so proud to be a part of a company that not only has one of the best reputations in the industry but continues to produce best in class delivery and large-scale projects all around the UK."
What advice would you give to someone starting out in their career?
"I think I would have to say to try everything. If an opportunity comes your way, take it, even if you don’t feel like you can do it. Keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone because you will thank yourself for it in the future!"
Connect with Molly on LinkedIn or search our careers page to learn about our early career opportunities.