Zina's success story: Securing a gradute role at Arcadis

Zina is a Civil Engineering and Architecture graduate from the University of Southampton. She secured a Graduate Engineer role at Arcadis in Guildford.  

First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

“Growing up, studying engineering never crossed my mind. It wasn’t something I saw myself doing and my career path didn’t follow a straight line.

After four years at university, I can confidently say I wouldn’t change a thing. The course has challenged me in the best ways, pushing me to think critically, solve real-world problems and constantly learn.

What really motivates me to stay in this sector is my passion for sustainability and the environment, as now I have the opportunity to combine that passion with civil engineering and architecture.”

What motivated you to apply for your role?

“I applied for Arcadis as I was very interested in their current and previous projects.

The company values aligned well with mine and it seemed like a great place to grow as a graduate engineer.”

What was the application process like?

“The application process was a bit daunting at first, especially since I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Arcadis made it a smooth and enjoyable experience.

They were incredibly supportive throughout, which helped take the pressure off.”

What are you most proud of about your journey?

“I’m most proud of graduating with a Master’s in Civil Engineering and Architecture, especially since I hadn’t originally planned to study engineering at all.

It was a completely new field for me and balancing the workload at the beginning was a real challenge, so overcoming those difficulties was incredibly rewarding and gave me the confidence to take on new paths.”

What are your tips for people looking to follow in your footsteps?

“My biggest tip for anyone looking to follow a similar path is to try everything and stay open to new experiences.

I’d remind myself earlier not to be afraid of making mistakes and to take every opportunity.

The best advice I received was to stay curious and proactive and not wait for things to come to you. Connecting with mentors, joining industry events and using platforms like LinkedIn and Bright Network to learn from others’ journeys were incredibly helpful.”

What have you learnt from going through the process?

“Going through the process taught me the importance of thorough preparation and patience. The initial process was quite slow when it came to applying to roles and waiting for responses from companies.

Overall, it was a great learning experience that helped me better understand what employers look for beyond just technical skills.”

Tell me about the future. What’s next?

“Looking ahead, I’m excited to apply the skills I’ve developed at university and continue growing as an engineer.

I’m most looking forward to working on challenging projects that push me to think and solve complex problems.

I’m eager to take on new responsibilities that will help me grow both personally and professionally.”