In early July, we welcomed Frank, an undergraduate from the University of Cambridge, to join Robert Walpole & Partners for a summer placement. Over the past month, he has been working alongside our engineers, gaining hands-on experience with real projects and learning more about life in a busy civil engineering consultancy.

We caught up with him to hear about his first month with us:

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re studying at Cambridge?

I’ve just finished my second year studying a general engineering degree at Cambridge. I’m going into my third year where I’ll choose my specialisations. I’ve always had an interest in engineering, but before joining RWP I’d never had proper industry experience like this.

2. What attracted you to join Robert Walpole & Partners for your placement?

It was the wide array of tasks. Many firms specialise in a very small niche, but here I’ve been able to work across a range of projects, applying the same knowledge in different ways and seeing results come to life in varied contexts. Being part of a smaller firm also means there’s a more personal connection with colleagues, which I’ve definitely experienced.

3. How would you describe your first month with the team?

At first there was a steep learning curve. The first week or so was about getting up to speed with things I didn’t know yet. But everyone was relaxed and supportive, giving me the time I needed. After that, I moved between several graduate engineers, helping on their projects and getting exposure to different parts of the job rather than repeating the same task. That’s helped me figure out what I enjoy and where I’m strongest.

4. & 5. What kind of projects or tasks have you been involved in so far, and have you learned any new skills or software since joining?

I’ve worked mainly on three projects. The first was a water mains renewal in London (nearly 5km of water main). My role focused on reviewing technical documents from other firms and interpreting them so we could progress our own work.

I also worked on concrete reinforcement calculations for a submerged base slab. I’d never done this before, so I learned to work from engineering standards to carry out the calculations. It was challenging but very rewarding.

Most recently, I’ve been doing thrust block and pipe calculations, using software like Excel and Python to automate them, and tools like LaTeX and PDF editors to compile the results into clear, shareable documents. It’s been great to contribute something useful for the team while also developing my own skills.

6. What has surprised you most about working in a civil engineering consultancy?

I thought it would be mostly CAD and calculations, but there’s a lot more emphasis on soft skills. Communication with clients, interpreting others’ work, and managing varying requirements can be the most challenging parts, more so than the technical work.

7. What’s been your favourite part of the experience so far?

Definitely the concrete reinforcement calculations. I started with no knowledge, but I was given the time and support to develop my understanding from the ground up. That’s invaluable because it builds the intuition that more senior engineers have, where they can almost instantly tell if something will work.

8. Has your time here influenced how you see your future career path?

Yes, I came here thinking I’d enjoy working in soil mechanics, but I’ve discovered that the water side of civils really interests me. I also like the size of firms like RWP where you know everyone, and your work doesn’t get lost in the noise.

9. How would you describe your first month with the team?

Don’t be afraid to take on work in areas you’ve never touched before. Jump in, even if you’re not confident. It’s far more rewarding to learn something from scratch than to stick to what you already know.

10. How would you sum up your time at RWP in three words?

Technical, involved, supportive.

We’ve really enjoyed having Frank as part of the team and seeing him bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm into our projects. His willingness to take on challenges and learn from the ground up has been great to see, and we look forward to watching his career develop.

If you’re interested in gaining practical experience in civil engineering and working with a supportive, talented team, keep an eye on our careers page for future opportunities.