Meet Matthew, a Graduate Project Manager

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

The thing that originally drew me to working at AECOM was the scale of the organisation, and the opportunity to work with many different people on a wide range of projects. While that is still true, the hybrid working and freedom to grow is a big positive in working for AECOM.

What is your role at AECOM? 

My current role is a graduate project manager. This often involves me working alongside a more senior PM who is leading on a project. Much of my role is co-ordinating design teams whether that is external or an internal AECOM design team. My role also includes client and stakeholder engagement, reporting, and programming.

How long have you worked for AECOM? 

I have worked at AECOM for nearly two years. I started in September 2021, the summer after graduating from university.

What do you like most about working for AECOM? 

The thing I like most about working for AECOM is the wide range of different projects I have had the chance to work on. I have been involved on projects that range from small refurbishments to large-scale new builds. I also appreciate the opportunities I have had to travel around the country and abroad while working on these projects.

How has AECOM helped you in your career development? 

AECOM has helped my career development by giving me my first project management role in the industry, and by giving me the opportunity to learn while on the job through a graduate role. Working at a large organisation like AECOM has also given me the opportunity to connect with different disciplines across AECOM.

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

I like to use freedom to grow to adjust my working hours around other things in my life. It means I can go for a run at lunch or finish early to go to the gym at a quieter time. Flexible working hours also means I can avoid rush hour traffic when working in the office. It can also be used for something as simple as working from home when you have a delivery scheduled.

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

Whilst I do usually enjoy working from the office more than from home, it is nice to have the option of where to work from each day. Working from the office gives me the opportunity to sit with my team and learn more from people experienced in my role. Whereas working from home can be useful when I have a day full of virtual meetings and a quieter environment would be useful. 

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

My favourite project I have been a part of at AECOM so far is a project I worked on for the DIO (Defence Infrastructure Organisation) based in Gibraltar. It was a wide multi-disciplinary project for AECOM and while the project was very challenging with demanding timelines, we got some very nice site visits!

Thinking about the projects you are involved in - how do you help to improve social outcomes for communities, or how have you contributed to sustainable solutions?

A few of the projects I have been involved in are part of the Governments ‘levelling up’ agenda, which is a scheme I see a lot of value in, particularly for Northern England where I have grown up all my life. Being involved in these projects has felt rewarding as you are delivering promising opportunities within communities.

What’s your proudest moment at AECOM? 

My proudest moment so far has been completing my first project which was a refurbishment of the new economic hub in Darlington. Closing out a project that I worked on for months was a great feeling and knowing I’d closed out my first project was an important milestone.

What have you gained from working at AECOM? 

I’ve gained a much wider understanding of how Construction projects are managed. Working closely with experienced Project Managers has helped me to gain an understanding of how different people go about their work.

What advice do you have for any prospective candidates? 

My advice to prospective AECOM candidates would be to get as involved as possible! It has been great to meet members of other teams around the office and connect with the other graduates. Attending Sports & Social events has been a particular highlight of mine and really helped me to connect with people I otherwise wouldn’t get the chance to meet.