I’ve just completed the third year of my degree at the University of Bristol, where I’m happy to report I got a First. It’s good to know my hard work has paid off, and will hopefully continue to do so as I enter my Master’s year.
My studies included a research project on timber concrete composites. I was very pleased with it but always think improvements can be made and have recently worked with my supervisor and research partner to convert it into a journal paper, which is now under review.
This summer I’m spending 12 weeks in the Temporary Works office for Balfour Beatty, an engineering contractor. The placement came about while I was working on one of their project sites in Bath last year, when the Temporary Works office’s Chief Engineer invited me to London to gain some additional experience. I spent a fortnight there, during which I was told “you were more useful than I thought you’d be” and invited back this summer.
As a result I recently began work, checking the hoarding safety along the Crossrail route!
Overall, I’m still enjoying my experiences in university and the summer work as much as – if not more than – when I started out.
I’ve not yet decided which route to take when I graduate next year, but I am certainly keen to become chartered at some point, and to gain as wide a set of experiences as I can. My ongoing contact with Rochester Bridge Trust is helping with this.
Click here for more about Young Engineer ‘Joshua’
Click here to find out how Joshua fared in his Masters
Follow Joshua’s PhD progress here.