Meet Ejaz, a Modelling and Appraisal Consultant, Transportation

What drew you to work at AECOM originally? What would that be now – has it changed?

Joining AECOM was a natural choice after graduation as it aligned perfectly with my ambition to make a lasting impact on the world and improve the society I live in. As a global infrastructure firm with a strong commitment to "delivering a better world", I knew I could contribute to meaningful projects that benefit society economically, socially, and environmentally.

Moreover, what attracts me even more now is AECOM's Employee Resource Group, the Ethnic Diversity Network (EDN). Embracing diversity and fostering inclusion has become a driving force in my journey at AECOM. Being the Chair of the EDN Careers Subcommittee has allowed me to collaborate with like-minded colleagues, celebrate diverse cultures and advocate for positive change within the organisation and beyond. I look forward to continuing my journey at AECOM, shaping a better future for communities and the environment while fostering a culture of belonging through the EDN.

What is your role at AECOM?

Consultant, Modelling and Appraisal, Transportation, Future Mobility

How long have you worked for AECOM?

I joined AECOM in November 2020.

What do you like most about working for AECOM?

The diversity of projects I work on is what I like most about working for AECOM. This diversity has directly resulted in me gaining key project experiences that have helped my professional and personal development, by equipping me with newfound knowledge and a wide range of experiences.

Another aspect that I truly appreciate is AECOM’s commitment to knowledge sharing and collaboration. Working with talented professionals from different backgrounds provides a unique opportunity to learn and grow, especially in an environment where individuals are encouraged to share knowledge! The collective expertise and diverse perspectives of individuals help to contribute to a stimulating and innovative work environment, one in which I am constantly inspired by my colleagues.

Furthermore, AECOM's commitment to training and development is outstanding. The company places great importance on supporting its employees' growth. Having its own learning and development site, AECOM University offers the tools and resources for me to enhance my capabilities. Moreover, they have developed and refined training programmes for graduates through to managerial level, that help equip individuals for success in their career development at AECOM and wider.

How has AECOM helped you in your career development?

When I joined AECOM, I was immediately provided with training to help me execute my job successfully. As well as this, I was given wider career development training through the 2.5 year ADVANCE Early Careers Development Programme, which I recently completed. This programme vastly improved my workplace knowledge through webinars, in-person events and online training, allowing me to deliver in my role successfully. I also made strong lasting connections with individuals throughout AECOM by taking part!

How do you use AECOM’s ‘Freedom to Grow’ to give you a good work/life balance?

AECOM’s flexible working policy ‘Freedom to Grow’ is beyond amazing. The flexibility to attend urgent family or religious matters or simply take a break has been such a rewarding experience. Through ‘Freedom to Grow’, I am empowered to ensure everything in my life receives the attention it deserves.

How do you find hybrid working works for you – what benefits do you get from office working, site working, and home working?

Freedom to Grow is not just limited to time, but also space. I have the ability to work wherever I want; this ensures I can be at home to pick up deliveries, work from other offices when out of town or work at my home office when I want to meet colleagues. The hybridity given to employees at AECOM guarantees I am flexible to deal with a variety of life events.

What has been your favourite project to work on at AECOM?

My favourite project at AECOM is the A303 Stonehenge Amesbury to Berwick Down road tunnelling and duelling project. The project aims to not only improve transport connections between the south east and the south west, but also unlock an area of the south west in need of investment and regeneration. The project is an incredibly important example of how AECOM can have a lasting impact on future generations. Moreover, the challenges and complexities I faced on the A303 project have pushed me to expand my skills and problem-solving abilities. Being involved in such a transformative and demanding initiative has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally, making it a truly fulfilling and memorable experience.

What advice do you have for any prospective candidates?

Each individual is unique and brings a new way of thinking which in large part has been determined by their background and life experiences. So value yourself and what you can bring! If you are looking to help deliver real change in a diverse environment where your input and thoughts are valued, regardless of your background, then AECOM is for you. Working for AECOM will provide you with numerous opportunities to grow and develop skills that you are interested in. Moreover, if you are from a diverse background, the existence of Employee Resource Groups will help to ensure that AECOM is a hospitable place for you to develop your career and network.

Are you a member of an ERG and how has that helped you working at AECOM?

The Ethnic Diversity Network is an Employee Resource Group (ERG) that was set up by employees to promote the voices of ethnically diverse employees, with a goal of promoting Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. As Chair of the Career’s Subcommittee, I have been actively involved in generating ideas and developing proposals on how to improve ethnic diversity at AECOM. I am currently actively campaigning for diverse interview panels, which is currently being piloted in interviews across AECOM. For Black History Month 2022, I helped create and deliver a networking training skills event. This involved inviting a range of diverse speakers, from within AECOM and our client network, who each provided their experiences and tips and tricks to become better networkers. Being part of an ERG that is looking to not just address any structural inequalities, but also help upskill and improve the career development of those from ethnically diverse backgrounds has been incredibly rewarding.