A spotlight on: our Graduate Engineer Dominic Bowell

Our Graduate Engineer, Dominic Bowell, told us how he’s finding his first year at Project Centre juggling challenging projects, networking and development opportunities within our graduate rotation programme.  

Tell us a bit about your career journey so far. How did you get into the sector and what motivated you?  

I joined Project Centre after finishing a bachelor’s degree in architecture and urban planning at Newcastle University. During the course, I developed a real passion for planning and how working within that sector can help shape places and lives positively, especially with the climate crisis. This led me to apply for a job at Project Centre.  

I knew I wanted to work within the planning sector, but I had no idea what discipline would suit me best. When I read the job description for the graduate scheme at Project Centre, I knew that I would find challenges but also interesting and enjoyable development opportunities.  

You joined Project Centre through our graduate programme. What are you enjoying the most about the scheme?  

The graduate rotation programme was something that really attracted me to the job in the first place. It allows me to work with professionals in disciplines that I otherwise wouldn’t get the chance to experience.  

So far, I have gained valuable knowledge from the teams I have worked with. This is also helping me to find out which discipline is right for me.  

What kind of support are you getting from the graduate scheme and the team?  

Everyone that I have worked with at Project Centre has been extremely helpful in making me feel welcomed and included. I was lucky enough to take part in a graduate networking day last year, where I met graduates from other offices and I learnt about internal groups within the company, such as the Mental Health First Aiders, the Women Learning and Development Network, the Social Committee and the Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Group.  

These groups are driving initiatives across the company to improve the overall happiness and well-being of employees. I want to become more involved in these within the next few months. As part of the graduate programme, I have also been able to attend regular PTRC lectures which provide me with valuable knowledge on a range of disciplines.  

What is your favourite project you’ve worked on at Project Centre so far, and what did it involve?  

So far, my favourite project is the Hackney Air Quality Champions project. I worked on it as part of the engagement team. It has been extremely interesting and unlike anything I have done before.  

As part of the project, I have been responsible for setting up a web page to be used as an information hub for communities’ use. This included creating documents such as facilitation plans and risk assessments.  

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far and how did you overcome it?  

The biggest challenge was going straight from university to a job in London. The way I have overcome this is down to everyone at Project Centre. I have been learning new things from different people every day and I’m working with people that encourage me to ask questions and be involved. Ultimately, the staff here have helped me a lot to overcome a daunting life change.  

What is your aspiration for your career?  

At the moment, my career aspiration is to progress in the engagement and communications team at a steady rate. Most importantly, I aspire to have a range of knowledge from different projects, teams, and software that I can utilise in a number of different ways in the future.   

Any advice for our new starters in our graduate programme?  

My advice to a new starter would be to throw yourself in and say yes to things. If someone asks if you can help on a project, say yes. That experience will be more valuable in the long run, so don’t worry about not being 100% sure of how to do something.  

I would also say take part in some of the out-of-work activities that the staff have set up. For example, I’m part of the Project Centre football team, which I’m enjoying a lot and has helped me build strong connections with other people in the company.  

Thanks, Dominic, for taking the time to share your experience at Project Centre.  

Intersted in starting your career with us? Check out our graduate development programme and apply today!