Understanding the why, how and when of ground engineering through RSK graduate placement

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

Hands-on ground investigation experience on-site

My first major project was in Marlborough, Wiltshire, where I supervised several ground investigation techniques, predominantly window sampling and rotary drilling. It was exciting to work on a live project outdoors, gaining practical exposure and getting directly involved in fieldwork.

Following this, I worked at Structural Soils’ warehouse in Bristol, where I logged recovered samples. I applied soil description techniques to classify and record the chalk cores, which will later be interpreted for the client and feed into real-world engineering design.

This experience then led me to work with the monitoring and sampling team at Structural Soils. I was given the independence to manage my own project, collecting a range of samples from excavation sites for United Utilities.

Spending extended periods away, managing my schedule and liaising directly with clients gave me a valuable opportunity to demonstrate that I can be trusted to work responsibly and professionally as an engineer.

Fortunately, this progressed into an excellent project in South West London, where I supervised cable percussion rigs. The level of responsibility was significant, from assisting drillers to logging and sampling, and, above all, ensuring health and safety were maintained. It has been the most rewarding experience so far.

Overcoming site challenges in ground engineering projects

Each site presents its own challenges, whether that’s access issues, unexpected made ground or complex specifications. You constantly need to think on your feet and remain situationally aware of both the task at hand and the standards you are working to. This has highlighted to me how much professionalism and technical competence are needed to make effective decisions in the moment. To do that confidently, you must understand soils, site health and safety, ground investigation best practice, relevant legislation and the requirements of the team you are supervising.

The sheer volume of real-time, on-the-ground decision-making has been the biggest surprise. What I enjoy most about site work is how hands-on it is. It might be the inner child in me, but I genuinely love the physical side of the job – being outdoors, getting muddy and working closely with the drillers.

Developing professionally and personally during graduate placement

Since joining Structural Soils, I feel I have developed significantly, both professionally and personally. When I first started, I experienced a sense of anxiety and imposter syndrome. Entering such a technical and specialised field of engineering, I was worried that it would take years to reach a point where I felt capable or confident in my abilities. Thanks to the guidance, patience and support from my colleagues, those feelings have completely faded.

Another major area of development has been my technical understanding. At the beginning, I could talk about geotechnical concepts purely from what I had learned through training or reading. Now, after spending time on-site and actively carrying out the work myself, I have a much more holistic understanding of the job. It’s no longer just theoretical knowledge; I can now explain the why, how and when behind the work we do. This blend of practical experience and technical awareness has already made me more rounded as an engineer.

I represented the business at a careers fair at Cardiff University, which was quite a surreal experience. It wasn’t that long ago that I was the one standing on the other side of the RSK desk, hoping to get my foot in the door. Being able to return in a different role and speak to students about my own journey felt like a full-circle moment. It was nice to give some honest postgraduate advice, share the steps I took and hopefully reassure students who were in the same position I was in not too long ago.

Setting goals and gaining understanding of the commercial side of business

As I approach the final months of my placement, I would like to broaden my knowledge beyond the technical and site-based aspects of ground investigation and gain a stronger understanding of the commercial side of the business. I am keen to develop greater commercial awareness, including exposure to tendering, pricing and how projects are planned and secured.

Gaining insight into this early stage process would help me better understand how a project progresses from client enquiry, through costing and proposal development, all the way to mobilisation on-site and final reporting. Having a clearer view of the full project life cycle would also strengthen my ability to appreciate how decisions made at the commercial stage influence delivery in the field.