Adams Kara Taylor

AKT has the reputation for being one of the most forward-thinking practices of engineers within the industry. The office is made up of small flexible groups to ensure that graduates are supervised by excellent and experienced engineers. All graduates are assigned a mentor to oversee their professional development and progression towards chartered status. For examples of Adams Kara Taylor’s projects, which range from whole new university campuses to sculptures, visit www.akt-uk.com.

BENEFITS

• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays

• 37 languages spoken in the office

• International and varied project portfolio

• 2008 graduate intake: 10 structural and 3 civil

• Training schemes to become chartered with ICE and IStructE

• Mentors for all graduates

• Competitive salary

• Performance related bonus

• Ability to buy and sell holidays

• Contributory pension scheme

• Friendly and social environment

• Regular parties and social events

• Support finding accommodation

• Part of the Ride 2 Work and Cycle Scheme

• Location: London, Croydon and Stevenage

• Apply to: recruitment@akt-uk.com

Click here for images of some of Adams Kara Taylor's projects

Graduate profile:Thomas Whitworth

Thomas was drawn to AKT while studying for his MEng in architecture and civil engineering at The University of Bath. 'My course gave a lot of focus to the collaboration between architecture and engineering, and AKT is a very design-led company of engineers,' Thomas recalled.

'I applied to AKT in the January before my finals, they showed me round and let me speak to some graduates and then I had an interview with a director. I had previously worked on placements at very large organisations, so I wanted to find out what it was like to be part of a smaller firm that is going places. I know I made the right decision.' 'I’ve been here for two years now.

AKT has a real range of interesting projects – it is great for a young engineer to get such interesting challenges and chances. My first project was a magistrate’s court. Then I moved on to big projects like a gallery for Michigan State University with Zaha Hadid Architects and the British Pavilion for the Shanghai Expo, designed by Heatherwick Studios. I’ve also had great fun and learnt a lot working alongside the directors on competitions such as a ski jump in Oslo and the winning entry for the redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station with FOA.

'AKT is a good firm to work for. It is a young, vibrant office with lots of people from different backgrounds and nationalities. The team structure is good, and everyone is approachable. For a young engineer needing to learn, AKT’s open approach is great. There is so much going on. Last year we did the Three Peaks Challenge as a fundraiser for RedR.'

Graduate profile: Aoife Bloomer

Aoife was studying for her MEng in structural enigneering with architecture at Queens University, Belfast when she came across AKT in the 'NCE How to get a job in civil engineering' supplement. The company immediately appealed to me so I did a little more research on the internet and quickly realised that this was where I wanted to work. They work on high profile, innovative, exciting projects worldwide' she recalled. 'I applied before my finals, and came for an interview in January 2007. Despite having other offers I held out to hear from AKT, and was over the moon when I got its reply.'

Aoife graduated in 2007, and come September she was in London and ready to start work. 'My first project was a 44 storey tower in South London – it was really interesting and great to get stuck right in. The best thing about AKT is that everyone is so open and friendly; they will happily stop what they are doing and take time to answer your questions and help you out. I’ve just started work on a huge project – a museum in Abu Dhabi with Foster and Partners, it has a very dramatic form, it’ll be fascinating to see it being constructed.

'AKT is a good company to work for. There is a lot of extra-curricular stuff going on - sports like sailing, surfing, softball, basketball, and occasionally climbing and cycling - some of us went on a ski trip to Les Deux Alpes this year. I attended a series of life drawing classes arranged by AKT to help engineers communicate through sketches. I intend to go for IStructE chartership, and the regular CPD courses held here are a great help. Each graduate is assigned a mentor to give them support and guidance on their route to chartership, as well as a "buddy" who introduces them to the rest of the office, the day-to-day issues such as where to find the coffee machine, and generally helps them settle in.

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