“I’ve learnt that engineering is a team sport. To be an efficient team, there needs to be efficient communication.”
In his first year at Beca, Richard has already built on his experience in numerous aspects of engineering and on a variety of projects, worked with several different teams, and learnt plenty about how to build a successful consulting career.
His projects have included involvement in an Assessment report for the Albany Highway Corridor Upgrade, detailed services design in and around Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter redevelopment, construction issue drawings for Transpower’s North Island Grid Upgrade, and site scope investigations for the Auckland CBD Rail Link.
Richard says he has tried to take a proactive approach right from the start and grab the learning opportunities when they arise.
“I’ve learnt to ask questions - as a graduate, everyone expects you to anyway! Take on board as much information as you can right from the start. People at Beca are friendly and are more than happy to answer any queries you have.”
The way he sees it, attitude is key.
“By being friendly and outgoing, you start to build networks both inside Beca and externally. From my point of view, that’s vital no matter what business you’re in. I also try to be proactive by thinking ahead in terms of future workload, possible opportunities and what I can do to secure those opportunities. Basically, I try get involved in anything and everything!”
And getting involved doesn’t just mean during the ‘nine to five’. Richard also takes advantage of Beca’s prolific social scene to mix with colleagues and re-energise during and outside the work day, and has recently become a Social Club rep.
“Beca has way more of a social environment that I could have ever imagined,” he says. “There are a lot of people my age and with the same interests, and there’s constantly social activities and events going on so it’s really a matter of choice.” His choices include lunchtime sports at the gym next door as a great way of breaking up the day.
You could say Richard’s attitude is a great match for Beca’s core values: Partnership, Tenacity, Enjoyment and Care.
Find out more about joining Beca as a graduate.