I Got Hired: Graduate Transport Planner

Posted on: 15 July 2023 by Richard Finch in Graduate stories

Beth Veevers is a BA Geography graduate now working as a Transport Planner within the EV Strategy Team at Arcadis.

How did you get to where you are now?

I had an interest in planning from college but only found out about transport planning during my masters. Some projects created an interest for me and then I started applying for graduate roles in this field. I also used this as a base for my thesis to complete my degree which I was able to discuss in interviews. My degree has certainly opened my eyes to more careers than what is shown on the surface and has led me to where I am now.

What has been your best experience as part of your role?

I am working with a wide range of people in different teams be it those directly in my time of EV strategies to others in general transport planning and wider fields in the company. Knowing what I am working on can be innovative and improving the world into the future on both small and larger scales is very rewarding and makes me strive to keep working within this.

What has been the most challenging part of your graduate journey?   

Coming into the job was the most nerve wracking from the interview process to the job itself. It is something I do not know a lot about as though touched upon my degree was not specifically in transport planning so understanding the technicalities within the job was a challenge however having a great team to work with and friendly people within the application process made this transition comfortable and proves that if you are confident and come across well the technical side of matters can be taught.

What are your top tips for other students and graduates?   

1. Apply for anything that interests you - anything I found when applying for jobs that I had an interest in I went for and it has turned out well for me. Your degree is the starting point and don't limit yourself to exactly what your degree has taught you.

2. Use the career events and opportunities available in University to your benefit - they really helped me become more comfortable in interviews and applications as well as opening my eyes to what opportunities are out there.

3. Don't get disheartened about failed job applications - you are unlikely to get the first job you ever apply for, it is a difficult thing and the more you do the more experience you get and learn. Every hurdle improves you going forward!