James
Rawlin

Why NTU…

Why did you choose NTU and your course?

For post-16 studies I attended an engineering college, where I took a particular interest in Civil Engineering. After learning more about the industry, including how a Master’s degree is essential towards becoming chartered early in your career, I chose to study an MEng  in Civil Engineering.

I visited NTU during the clearing process following recommendations I received from postgraduate alumni I knew. I contacted the head of the department who was happy to meet face to face to tour the campus and discuss the course and life as a student in Nottingham. Following this conversation I applied to NTU.

What did you think about the course staff? How did they support your learning and university experience?

The behind-the-scenes staff at NTU were fantastic. The department’s administration and lab teams were instrumental in helping the course run smoothly, and the employability team were always available to assist students find placements and graduate jobs.
The lecturers were very supportive and knowledgeable. They always made time available to help each student develop, whether it was when learning engineering fundamentals in first year or when planning your dissertation with your supervisor. The lecturers always strived to make the subjects as interesting and engaging as possible. An example of this is on group design projects where they would collaborate with consultants, contractors and councils to design ‘real-world’ projects for coursework.

What was your favourite aspect of the course?

I most enjoyed group design modules where we would develop presentations, drawings and reports for large projects, such as a Nottingham tram network extension. We would go through the process of developing a design from optioneering to detailed design, liaising with practicing Engineers and Nottingham Council and considering all the key elements to the project during the process.
We were also given lots of opportunities to complete practical work, from soil testing in the labs to a week-long surveying field trip.

Tell us a little bit about your career since leaving NTU.

I completed several placements at Arcadis during my studies and rejoined following graduation. Since then I have progressed from Graduate Engineer to Assistant Engineer and now Engineer. I design civil and structural assets on the railway and have worked on a range of projects from small retaining walls to new stations and 100m long HS2 bridges. I am quickly progressing towards Chartership.

Alongside project work, I have focused on driving the civil engineering sector forward in sustainable design and construction, leading my office carbon group and sitting on Arcadis’ UK sustainability team. In recognition of the work I have produced, I received the 2022 Outstanding Contribution to Carbon Net Zero Award at the New Civil Engineer Graduate and Apprentice Awards. In 2023 I was also shortlisted for the ICE President’s Future Leaders Scheme.

I have maintained contact with the lecturers following graduation and regularly visit NTU to run employer affiliated projects and sustainability workshops for the new cohorts of students.

How would you promote NTU to potential students in 10 words or fewer?

It’s no accident students voted NTU University of the Year.

What has been your career highlight so far? How did what you learnt at NTU help you get there?

My career highlight to date is winning the New Civil Engineer Outstanding Contribution to Carbon Net Zero Award. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the soft skills I developed at NTU, such as public speaking and critical thinking. At NTU I was also afforded the opportunity to complete a month of international volunteering in Crete with the sea turtle conservation charity Archelon. This trip proved to be the spark that encouraged me to pursue sustainable design and construction.

What is your biggest piece of advice to current students and those graduating this year?

Make the most of your current opportunities for feedback. Learn from your mistakes (and your peers’ mistakes) whilst you have teaching staff willing to devote time to your development by providing you with quality feedback.