Aspiring ground engineer sees RSK Graduate Scheme as route to long-term career

I had planned to establish myself in the industry through networking and work experience, but then I discovered the RSK Graduate Scheme. After some research, I realised it offered far more than a single-entry point; it provided a structured pathway to explore multiple sectors within the environmental field through rotational placements.

I spoke to both past participants and RSK employees and received consistent feedback; the programme is highly regarded and supportive and provides unparalleled real-world exposure. Reading the previous graduate diaries and watching the videos graduates had shared reaffirmed my decision; it was clear that this scheme was designed to not only employ graduates but also actively invest in their development.

In a competitive job market where graduates are often overlooked without years of experience or multiple postgraduate qualifications, RSK stood out for recognising potential and offering opportunity. I applied because I saw the group as not just a place to work but the right environment to build a long-term career.

Before starting my placement, there was an induction process, which included a two-day meet-up with my fellow graduates in Birmingham. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was welcoming and I clicked straight away with another person in the scheme, which was great.

The early careers team had clearly put a lot of thought into the programme, and it was informative without being overwhelming. There was a good balance of structured sessions and time to socialise and get to know each other.

After the in-person induction, we spent around a week and a half working remotely on e-learning modules. This allowed me to ease into the company at my own pace and build familiarity before properly starting my new role.

What I appreciated most was that it challenged my expectations of entering the corporate world. I had assumed I’d be thrown into a fast-paced nine-to-five environment immediately, but instead RSK created space for us to settle in gradually. We were introduced to the company’s systems, processes and values in a relaxed setting, which made everything feel less overwhelming.

My first placement is at Structural Soils. Based in the Bristol office, I have received intensive technical training, completed relevant qualifications and been preparing to go out on-site. I’m really enjoying the role so far, and I’m excited to see how the next nine months unfold as I progress to on-site investigations and further hands-on geotechnical work.

During my time on the graduate scheme, I want to develop in two keys areas. Firstly, I want to build strong interdisciplinary and commercial skills. Beyond the technical aspect of geoscience, I’m keen to improve my business awareness, particularly in areas such as financial understanding, commercial decision-making and effective teamwork. I want to master everyday operational skills that are essential in a corporate environment. This includes navigating internal systems, managing emails effectively, organising project documentation and communicating across departments. These are the kinds of skills you can learn through immersion, and I want to leave this scheme fully equipped to hit the ground running wherever I go next within the organisation.

Secondly, from a technical perspective, I hope to become fully competent in practical subsurface geotechnics through extensive on-site exposure. At Structural Soils specifically, I want to gain a clear understanding of different in situ testing methods, drilling rigs, logging procedures and when each tool or approach is most applicable.

Ultimately, my goal is to reach a level of confidence where I can manage elements of a project independently and confidently call myself a capable ground engineer.

This article is part one of Travis’s graduate diary. Read part two here.