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Hello, I'm Helen Randell. I'm studying general engineering;  specialising in civil, structural and environmental engineering at Cambridge University. I'm in my fourth year and have been lucky enough to have had the support of QUEST since I started my course.
How did you hear about the QUEST Undergraduate Scholarship?
I heard about the scholarship through the Year in Industry scheme. I did not realise that schemes like this were out there!
Why did you apply for QUEST Undergraduate Scholarship?
I thought that it would be fantastic to have a strong link to an engineering company so that I could increase my industrial experience alongside my academic knowledge during my degree. The financial benefits of the scholarship and the security of paid work experience during each summer vacation were a huge draw. I also believed that by having a professional industrial mentor, I would gain relevant and structured work experience during my placements.
How is the scholarship helping you?
The scholarship allows me to pay for most of my yearly university accommodation, removing a great financial burden from me. This has allowed me to take advantage of many of the opportunities offered at university without the financial fears faced by many of my contemporaries.
I also have the benefit of at least eight weeks work during the summer vacation doing a job that I really enjoy, feeling I am making a contribution and would like to continue as a career. I believe that by returning to the same firm every year, emphasis has been placed on my continuing professional development making my experiences ‘quality'. Without the scholarship I do not think I would have had the opportunity to meet such a variety of firms in the industry and become linked to one that matches my ideas and beliefs.
I have learnt many new skills and experienced a range of job roles on site. For example, I've learned expenditure monitoring with the onsite quantity surveyor. All of these experiences have helped me develop a greater understanding of the construction process and industry as a whole. An added bonus is that these experiences, planned by Interserve Project Services, can count towards the development objectives that mark my path to chartered engineer status so I am one step further towards my goal.
A positive aspect of the scholarship that I never imagined was that I became much more self-reliant as I had to live away for two of my placements. This proved to be very different from my experiences of living away from home at university, as I did not have the large supportive college and friend network that I had become so accustomed to.
Who is your QUEST Partner Company?
I am partnered with Interserve project services.
What projects have you been involved with on your summer work placement?
In my first summer, I was placed as an assistant engineer on the Grantham Junction of the A1 alteration scheme. This was my first real experience of site engineering and I learnt many new skills as well as gaining an appreciation of how a large site operates including the health and safety involved.
In my second summer, I was placed on the new De-salination Plant at Beckton, East London, where I fulfilled a similar setting-out role to the previous summer. The site combined the challenges of being the first of these plants in Britain, using a new technology of reverse osmosis with marine working and a large workforce. This experience gave an insight into the long working hours and commuting distances experienced in the industry. However, as the job was so diverse and moved so quickly, it also confirmed how exciting site work can be.
In my third year, I experienced a site from a quantity surveyor's perspective when I was charged with keeping detailed expenditure on materials, labour and plant for the drainage of a new combined heat and power plant, via the wonders of Excel.. I also kept track of the variations between the designed, ordered and used steel for rebar as this can be a great expense to the project. This project really showed how the industry is changing to become more environmentally aware both through its working practices and schemes that are being undertaken.
On all my placements I have been encouraged to use my initiative and take ownership and responsibility for each task.
Did you have a mentor assigned to you during your summer work placement?
I have had various line managers through my placements who have been very experienced in site management. I found the closer interactions between engineers and site agents/project managers on smaller sites really beneficial as they helped me to appreciate the larger picture. These discussions also helped to cement the knowledge gained on site as they made me think about the reasoning behind the working practices.
What other benefits have you experienced during your time as a QUEST scholar?
Through the scholarship, I have met a range of people involved in construction from steel fixers on site to commercial managers, all of whom have given me invaluable advice for my career as a civil engineer.
Would you recommend the QUEST Undergraduate Scholarship to others?
I would definitely recommend the QUEST undergraduate scholarship to others as I have thoroughly enjoyed my three summers. I have felt valued and importantly, useful, while gaining site experience, which will help me to reach my goal of becoming a chartered engineer.
Are you actively involved with ICE? If you are, please explain briefly what type of activities you are involved in.
During term time I take part in STEMNET activities, like building cranes to lift baked bean tins using only paper, to encourage children to think about and enjoy engineering. I really enjoy listening to how the children's views of ‘engineering' change throughout the day. I will always remember the advice given to me by one six year old that when I design something I ‘must use triangles or it will be rubbish'! I have also visited my old school to talk about my experiences so far and encourage other girls to consider an exciting and diverse career in civil engineering.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I feel very lucky to have been given this fantastic opportunity and I hope that many more students get the chance to have such a beneficial time as I have.
Hi, my name is Danni Brotherston and I'm in my final year at Cambridge studying civil, structural and environmental engineering. I'm part of the QUEST undergraduate Scholarship and it's an opportunity too good to be missed.
Why did you apply for QUEST Undergraduate Scholarship?
I applied because the opportunity was too good to be missed!
Being a QUEST scholar has guaranteed me work experience each summer and the possibility of securing a job once I've graduated through having a partner company. Another reason I applied was because you are able to begin your ICE training agreement towards chartership as a QUEST scholar whilst you're still an undergraduate. I thought this would be really important as it means I can get chartered more quickly once I start working full time. The money was an added incentive and it also looks good on your CV!
How is the scholarship helping you?
The scholarship is helping me in many ways. Firstly, the work experience each summer is great. Having a partner company who will give you relevant work experience is vital to realising how the ‘real' engineering world works. It's given me the opportunity to test out different departments and sectors before I've graduated so I have a better idea of where I want to work once I've finished university. Being able to start on the ICE training agreement so early on is brilliant. I've already signed off some of my development objectives which I know will really help my future career. The money is useful too – it prevents you from worrying that you won't have enough.
Who is your QUEST Partner Company?
Peter Brett Associates LLP
What projects have you been involved with on your summer work placement?
In my first summer placement I worked in the civils team and helped carry out drainage and highway design, flood risk assessments and developed my AutoCAD skills. In my second year I worked in the renewable energy group which was a real eye opener. I had to find solutions for sites that reduced their carbon emissions using renewable technologies in order to meet certain standards and regulations. I looked into many types of renewable energy including wind, solar thermal, solar photovoltaic and ground source heat pumps. I also carried out calculations for some sites to see which renewable energy types would be most beneficial.
Last year in 2008, I had been doing a variety of things. The most interesting was working on site on the M4 Junction 11 Improvement scheme. I did some drawings for the tender in my first placement and so was aware of what the scheme was roughly going to look like. It was therefore great to go on site and actually see it all become a reality. Wearing a hi-vis jacket, steel toe boots and hard hat was a bonus!
Did you have a mentor assigned to you during your summer work placement?
Yes, this has helped me work towards my chartership. We would have regular meetings where we discuss what I need to do to sign off as many development objectives as possible and tailor my work accordingly. Having an assigned mentor has also ensured that I get maximum enjoyment out of each placement.
What other benefits have you experienced during your time as a QUEST scholar?
I have learnt so much about the engineering and construction industry and being a QUEST scholar has nurtured my passion for the industry. I have helped at several events promoting engineering for school children, making me realise the importance of passing on my enthusiasm to the next generation.
Would you recommend the QUEST Undergraduate Scholarship to others?
Definitely!
When it comes to applying for a job, the majority of engineering graduates will have the same qualifications. It is therefore essential you have valuable and relevant work experience to make you more desirable to future employers. Having the QUEST scholarship does exactly this and shows your dedication to the engineering industry. It also helps you see what is involved in engineering and all the sectors you could go in to. The money's not bad either!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I really appreciate having this scholarship as I believe it has kick-started my career as a civil engineer, and given me the opportunities I would otherwise never have had.
Hi my name is Alex Hinxman. I was lucky enough to have been a QUEST scholar whilst I studied a civil engineering degree at Cardiff. I have now graduated and work in civil engineering. Find out how the QUEST scholarship has helped me.
What are you doing now?
I currently work as a graduate engineer in the river engineering team for Halcrow in Birmingham. I have worked on many flood mapping and flood alleviation schemes as well as work relating to reservoirs, canals, fish passes and flow control structures. I even managed to put my French skills to good use and help translate some of the Halcrow website for marketing purposes.
Why did you apply for QUEST Undergraduate Scholarship?
The scholarship was put forward to me at one of my university interviews. I am enthusiastic about engineering and I wanted to gain on-site experience of civil engineering to supplement my theoretical studies at university. I knew an opportunity to have summer work placements would give me this.
How has the scholarship helped you?
Apart from the financial help whilst at university, the QUEST scholarship gave me a fantastic insight into the world of civil engineering. In addition to this, the scholarship has given me a head start in my professional development and enhanced my CV which only helped when applying for employment following graduation.
Did you find summer work placements useful?
Right from my first summer vacation at university, I have gained valuable experience with a contractor, seeing first hand the work of civil engineers. I worked on various large construction sites across South West England and Wales, thoroughly enjoyed my time on site and learnt a great deal. This first-hand familiarity really helped me during my studies at university, allowing me to relate my theoretical studies to the practicalities on site. It gave me a broader understanding of the subject and I was able to apply my university knowledge to wider real-life applications.
Do you think that the scholarship has helped you find employment after graduation?
Undoubtedly. The QUEST scholarship is well known and respected in the profession and really stands out as a unique attribute on your CV. Particularly in today's competitive market, every graduate is looking for the edge over their peers and QUEST certainly helps in these situations as employers trust its value.
Would you recommend the QUEST Undergraduate Scholarship to others?
Wholeheartedly – QUEST is a great setup. It provides some much-needed cash at university and gives you a massive head start in the profession. At the same time, it is flexible so you can spend your work placements on site with a contractor or doing design work with a consultant, depending on your preferences.
Are you actively involved with ICE? If you are, please explain briefly what type of activities you are involved in.
As well as taking a very active approach to my ICE professional development, I have regular contact with the ICE in various ways. I regularly attend ICE events such as evening talks and presentations and encourage others to attend also (I keep our team up to date with events posters from the ICE). In the spring I organised a Halcrow football team to enter into the West Midlands 5-a-side football competition and networking event, which was a great success.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Apart from everything else, it's an achievement of which I am very proud.
Hi, I'm David Rowlinson. I have just graduated from my engineering science MEng degree at Oxford and I have just started my employment with the Hyder Consulting Rail team. Read more to find out how QUEST has helped me get where I am today.
What are you doing now?
I am a graduate engineer with Hyder Consulting's Rail North team, based in Warrington. I assist senior engineers in designing bridges, platforms and other rail structures. My work ranges from feasibility studies, through preliminary design, to detailed design and construction supervision.
Who was your QUEST partner company?
During my scholarship I undertook summer placements at Hyder Consulting. The success of my involvement with QUEST led Hyder to take on more QUEST Scholars and even make it a strong preference for all summer placement students.
Why did you apply for QUEST undergraduate scholarship?
The reason I applied was because I recognised the benefit that the QUEST scholarship would have on my university life and future career. Not only would the money make university living much easier in these days of expensive fees and living costs, but the access to the ICE library and the opportunity to start the chartered status training agreement early would accelerate my personal development.
How has the scholarship helped you?
The financial help meant that I didn't leave university with any debt and allowed me to save some of my student loan. The other major benefit has been the head start on my chartership training agreement.
During my summer placement I was able to sign off the first level of all of the objectives (awareness). One year into permanent work and I am two thirds of the way through my objectives. This means that I have the potential to be chartered at the earliest possible age and has helped me be recognised as an ambitious determined graduate.
Did you find summer work placements useful?
The summer placements were extremely useful. At university most of the work that I did was mainly theoretical and mathematical based. The summer placements gave me the insight into how these theories were actually used in practise. I was able to assist with design, calculations, drawings, report writing and site work. Not only did this confirm that I wanted to become a civil engineer but it actually helped me understand some of the theory that I learned at university work.
Most importantly the track record I developed during the summer placement allowed me to arrange my employment contract prior to my final year. This meant that I didn't need to worry about job interviews when trying to revise for my final exams and it meant that when the recession started to hit, I still kept my job. Without the summer placements and QUEST Scholarship it is likely that I would have taken longer to find a job.
Do you think that the scholarship has helped you find employment after graduation?
Definitely! The fact that Hyder knew that I performed well and knew how to operate the Hyder company systems meant they had reassurance that I was graduate who would be profitable from my first day. Without QUEST I would have been just another high risk graduate, who may or may not be an asset to the company. With the recession hitting just before I started work, the QUEST Scholarship made the difference between me having a job as soon as I finished university and having to look for one.
What other benefits do you think the scholarship gave you?
Being selected for a QUEST scholarship is a big confidence boost. It helps affirm your belief in your ability and encourages you to get involved with other engineering schemes.
It also opens the door for you to get involved with ICE activities. During my QUEST scholarship I attended the QUEST 30th anniversary celebration at One Great George Street London, and President David Orr's presidential address. These were great events that again assured me that civil engineering was the right choice for me and prompted me to get a letter published in the NCE encouraging other student members to attend the London events.
Would you recommend the QUEST undergraduate scholarship to others?
100% yes! The opportunity exists to apply, so do it. The application process isn't difficult, so if you are not successful, it isn't too disappointing. On the other hand if you do receive the scholarship, you can take advantage of all the benefits described above. Even from a purely financial perspective, can you really afford not to apply for up to £3000 a year with the debt that students are now forced to manage?
Are you actively involved with ICE? If you are, please explain briefly what type of activities you are involved in.
My experience as a QUEST scholar has encouraged me to get involved with other ICE initiatives since I graduated. I am currently one of the North West regions chairman's apprentices. As part of this role I have been publicising the work of the ICE and presented awards at the North West celebration dinner.
I am also a member of the Cheshire branch committee and recently got elected to the Vice Chairman role. This was primarily as a result of my enthusiasm, knowledge of the ICE and ambition to take the branch forward during my year as Chairman. Much of the confidence I required to do this was a result of my time as a QUEST scholar.
I am involved with the ICE's ambassador scheme. This allows me to visit schools and inspire children about the great opportunities available in engineering. QUEST scholarships always get recommended during these presentations along with other schemes which are available to students.
I want to take my involvement with the ICE further in the future. When I'm eligible, I'll apply for the ICE Presidents apprentice scheme and I'm also considering applying for the ICE/NCE Graduate of the year competition. Once you take advantage of one opportunity provided by the ICE, it's easy to see the benefit of getting involved with other opportunities.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you to the ICE for their support so far, I hope to make a significant contribution to the industry which will repay that faith in my skills.
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