Akshat
Assistant Project Manager, Highways
When you are deciding upon the first graduate job of your career, you want to choose the best. For me, Atkins was the obvious choice because of its outstanding international reputation and because it offers the opportunity to work alongside the finest minds in the industry.
In September 2005, I joined the Highways Asset Management Group in the UK. Although away from my Construction Management specialism, my peers offered tremendous support and I soon found myself working on major infrastructure schemes, including motorway projects. Six months later I was working with the Group’s structures team, assisting with business development activities and working on motorway route maintenance strategies.
Challenging role
I always thought that moving across the Group could not be as easy as it first appeared. Yet Atkins’ flexibility continues to amaze me and I now find myself working in the booming Middle East region on some of the Group’s key projects.
I am currently Assistant Project Manager on the Bahrain Bay and Tabreed District Cooling Projects in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This is a very challenging and prestigious project, providing district cooling to strategic areas and districts earmarked for future growth in the kingdom. I am enjoying the challenges of project management, and developing people management skills as a result of work within my own team.
Leisure activities
Outside the office I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement in the Atkins football league and playing cricket alongside my colleagues. I have also undertaken volunteer activities under the corporate social responsibility projects organised by the Group.
The greatest thing about Atkins is the support I have received from managers both in the UK and now in Bahrain. I feel there is a real interest in my professional development. As I am now working towards chartered status under the ICE Training Agreement, I realise how important it is to have this support.