Catherine Hives MEng Civil Engineering

Graduate Engineer, Tony Gee and Partners LLP (TGP)

The Civil Engineering course at Southampton helped me learn the basic techniques and methods required for design in a consultancy office. This allowed me to go on and develop more detailed skills which I will carry forward with the end goal of gaining Chartership status in the future.

Why did you choose Civil/Environmental Engineering at Southampton?
I choose Civil Engineering at Southampton purely for the passion and excitement passed on by the staff on the open days. Everyone you spoke to was enthusiastic and was willing to share knowledge on a friendly level.

What did you enjoy about the course?
I enjoyed the team work aspects of the course. I found it really useful to develop teamwork skills which also allowed me to learn new topics and more information from other people. Sharing the knowledge learnt throughout the years would not have been possible without the group work.

What's Southampton like as a place to study?
Southampton is a great place to study because of the friendly atmosphere and the options available for free time activities and hobbies, Southampton has something for everyone, its like living in one large community. By the end of my time at the University, faces became familiar even if I had never spoken to them. Everyone is always smiling and willing to stop for a chat or help whenever it is required.

Tell us about your current job
I was partnered with TGP before starting University through two scholarship schemes (ICE QUEST & Surrey SETPOINT Scholars) and I worked for the company every summer for 12 weeks.. Having now graduated, I will take on the role of Graduate Engineer. I will initially be placed in the Structures department where I will work as part of a team in the office designing new and maintaining existing structures.

How did our course help you in your current role?
The Civil Engineering course at Southampton helped me learn the basic techniques and methods required for design in a consultancy office. This allowed me to go on and develop more detailed skills which I will carry forward with the end goal of gaining Chartership status in the future.

What advice would you give to a student starting out on a Civil/Environmental Engineering degree at Southampton?
Enjoy it. Four years flies by very quickly and you need to start taking in information from day one. If you miss the basics at the beginning make sure you go back over and understand it. If you don’t understand anything then ask before it becomes too late. In the third and fourth year, the first year material becomes essential. Save time, learn as you go, it will make it a lot easier in the long run!