Glyn Utting studied a Masters in Civil and Structural Engineering (MEng) at Leeds University and as part of our graduate programme at the time had his dissertation sponsored which gave him access to company software and resources. In June 2007, he started at Tetra Tech (then WYG) as a graduate engineer on the graduate training scheme. We asked Glyn a few questions about his degree and how Tetra Tech has helped shape his career progression.
What was the key experience you took away from your time on the graduate scheme?
The graduate scheme gave me the opportunity to meet my peers and other graduates across the business and get exposure and insight of the senior members of the company. This would prove very valuable years later as these relationships I developed during this time allowed me to progress my career into Project Management.
How do you think the graduate scheme helped shaped your career?
During my time on the graduate scheme, the training was conducted in external venues which provided a great environment to focus on the technical training modules and develop the key relationships. It also gave me the opportunity to learn about the business and gain exposure to senior members including a period where I shadowed the CEO. The graduate scheme also included a focus on the technical training modules. In 2009/10 when our engineering department was restructured, I was seconded into the internal WYG restructuring team, reporting directly to the COO. This experience was a very good introduction into business strategy and process. For my work on this project, I received WYG Graduate of the Year in 2010.
What projects have you worked on with?
Following this experience, I realised that I excelled in some key project management skills and an opportunity to move into project management arose. Within months I was presented with the challenging and exciting opportunity to work in Afghanistan and Libya between 2011 and 2014.
In 2015 I travelled out to Nepal (after the April 2015 earthquake) to support a charity, Community Action Nepal to rebuild schools and hospitals that had been destroyed or damaged in the Himalayas. Our business sponsored this work pro bono through its CSR commitment and the whole experience provided both myself and the company with credible experience in post disaster reconstruction.
What accomplishments have you achieved or help achieve during your time at Tetra Tech?
We received multiple awards and recognition for the Community Action Nepal project including Association of Project Management (APM) social project of the year 2017 and British Expertise International (BEI) charity project of the year 2017. As a team we also won individual awards and recognition for myself, the lead Architect, Cara Buchan and Assistant Project Manager, Will Pearson.
What came after your time with Community Action Nepal?
After nearly seven years working with the team in Nepal our company project came to an end and I chose to take a year out to continue my work with Community Action Nepal. Even though I left I remained close to the organisation and staff and returned in 2020. Since then, I have been working in the Project & Cost Management team as Portfolio Lead for sensitive and international Defence Projects.
What advice would you give to anybody starting out on the graduate scheme at Tetra Tech?
The graduate scheme offers the opportunity to both learn and grow a network of peers within a large multi-discipline organisation. These relationships can and will provide opportunities for your career as you progress. Your career will always present opportunities, some planned but some unplanned. I would recommend that you always assess each opportunity with an open mind and don’t be afraid to push out of your comfort zone. Never be afraid to fail either, it’s vital to long term success.