Philip Wildbore MEng Civil Engineering

Balfour Beatty

There are lots of reasons why Southampton was an attractive choice. Ultimately though, I liked the Uni on the open day – four years later I am still convinced I made the right choice!

Why did you choose Civil/Environmental Engineering at Southampton?
There are lots of reasons why Southampton was an attractive choice; great facilities, a good location within the city, its campus, helpful staff, an accredited degree and a 5* research rating for the School of Civil Engineering and the Environment. Ultimately though, I liked the Uni on the open day – four years later I am still convinced I made the right choice!

What did you enjoy about the course?
The course was both interesting and challenging, particularly in years 3 and 4. Project work was definitely the highlight – the academic staff organise a wide variety of project titles, meaning you can focus on topics which interest you the most. I have found the projects to be consistently engaging – the project scope often allows students to consider the conceptual design of projects as well as attention to detail.

What's Southampton like as a place to study?
The library facilities are excellent, as are the sports facilities and student union. The consistent helpfulness of staff in the department cannot be overstated. The city itself caters really well for students – the selection of student pubs, clubs, shops, accommodation, restaurants and takeaways is enormous.

Tell us about your current job
I joined Balfour Beatty as part of the QUEST scheme at the ICE before I started University. Balfours are a leading UK Civil Engineering contractor and superb employer. I have spent three summer placements with them, two of which were in the Major Projects Division on the £115 million King’s Cross North Ticket Hall project. I will be starting on the M25 widening project in September 2009.

How did our course help you in your current role?
The management lectures have provided more than a few useful insights into the construction industry! Also the optional fourth year Law module is well worth considering for any students involved in site work.

What advice would you give to a student starting out on a Civil/Environmental Engineering degree at Southampton?
It’s worth taking the time to understand material covered in the first and second years – it will make life easier later on. Scholarship schemes such as QUEST or SUCCESS are well worth going for; financial reasons aside, the experience is invaluable. Think about optional modules in advance! Many are interlinked and planning will help get the best out of them.