Mark Crook

After completing my second year of my BSc degree in Civil Engineer with the Nottingham Trent University I was looking for an opportunity that would offer me the chance to experience the realities of civil engineering. I was keen to see design turn to reality; with an industrial placement with Balfour Beatty I have achieved just that.

My industrial year has been spent on the A10/A14 Milton interchange in Cambridge for the improvement works of the existing junction this has proved a personally challenging and interesting project. Despite being a student engineer and not a graduate I have still been treated as a valued member of the engineering team and given early responsibilities. As a site engineer new experiences occur regularly, so a challenging but enjoyable learning curve must be employed. The very nature of site work can be very hands on and you do get to experience what civil engineering is all about. From seeing the project on paper to it coming out of the ground can be very different.

The main benefit of my industrial placement is every day has a new problem to solve, seeing and understanding construction techniques and being part of a project that is continually moving forward. With no day being the same I have been involved in countless aspects of the works giving me a greater insight for possible future career paths. As I am still a student this Industrial placement has been invaluable, I will take forward the knowledge gained and a new understanding of civil engineering back to my university studies.