Philip Reid MEng Civil Engineering

Graduate Engineer, Ringway Ltd

I don’t think that I can remember a single part of the course that I didn’t enjoy. I mean I wouldn’t say I would choose to do some of the maths modules again for fun but the interest in the course material and the challenges keeps you going. The group projects and the field trips though were the best bits.

Why did you choose Civil Engineering at Southampton?
I chose Civil Engineering because I wanted to be able to say “I built that!” and Southampton because it is one of the best universities for civils, it felt right, and still does.

What did you enjoy about the course?
I don’t think that I can remember a single part of the course that I didn’t enjoy. I mean I wouldn’t say I would choose to do some of the maths modules again for fun but the interest in the course material and the challenges keeps you going. The group projects and the field trips though were the best bits.

Tell us about your current job
I work for Ringway Ltd on their graduate program and am currently in Rotherham where we are building and maintaining bridges, roads and all manner of small structures for the Borough Council. It’s a trainee management position at the sharp end, looking after the guys on site and getting things built. Its great fun, even in the rain!

How did our course help you in your current role?
The course gave me a very good grounding in all things civil engineering from materials through to the flow of water in a pipe. More importantly it taught me how to learn, how to get things done to a deadline and how to work as part of a team as well as supplementing all of the soft skills that you need to work in the world. It also helped by getting me involved with Ringway through the SUCCESS scheme in year one which really helped in many ways.

What advice would you give to a student starting out on a Civil Engineering degree at Southampton?
Make sure you understand what is taught to you in the first two years and the other one or two will sail by a lot smoother and make friends with your course mates. No one is good at everything and having people you can work through problems with and do group work with is a big help. Get yourself involved with societies. Southampton has a wealth of clubs and groups that get up to all kinds of stuff which will keep you entertained. Also, get involved with running some of the clubs or societies. The skills you learn there may be just as important as your ability to use the engineers bending formula!