Building a career as a civil engineer starts with SUCCESS

It was held to highlight opportunities through the Southampton University Corporate Civil and Environmental Scholarship Scheme (SUCCESS). This partners students with companies keen to recruit talented graduates for paid summer work experience placements that can often lead to jobs. Over the last ten years, 15 companies have taken part, sponsoring more than 165 students.

Graham Nicholson from Tony Gee Consulting Civil, Structural and Geotechnical Engineers says his company signed up for the scheme when it started in 2003. "During their summers at Tony Gee we give them real engineering work with a fair amount of responsibility so they can put the theory into practice. When they graduate they can hit the ground running."

Fourth year Civil Engineering student Matthew Edmunds works with Scott, White and Hookins. He says the placement has been a good experience: "I've worked in all three offices at the company, everyone has been very friendly and it's been great for the CV."

Leading companies who spoke to students at the event included Sisk, Eurovia, Vinci, Laing O'Rouke, Balfour Beatty Regional, Osborne, Kier, Abbey Pynford, WSP, Atkins, Scott White and Hookins, Ramboll and Tony Gee.