"I’m Chloe Copeland and I’m a degree apprentice in my fourth year of study. I am on the BEng Civil and Infrastructure Engineering Degree Apprenticeship and work for AtkinsRéalis in the Bridges and Civils practice in Birmingham. I was diagnosed with dyslexia in my first year of study, but I haven’t let that stop me.

Over the course of my apprenticeship, I have worked on a range of projects, from bridge designs for local councils, to structural inspections, and large-scale engineering projects including the building and refurbishment of a large railway structure and most recently the construction of a new nuclear power plant.

I chose a degree apprenticeship to learn through working. This allows me to get five years of work experience in a relevant job role before I graduate and gives me a way to see the ‘real-world’ applications of what I learn at university. My apprenticeship will help me to achieve chartership sooner and has left me without student debt.

My degree apprenticeship experience has helped me to identify the areas of civil engineering I’d like to focus on going forwards. I’ve found that I enjoy site-based work so that I can see what I’m working on in-person the most. I hope to continue work in structural maintenance to ensure longevity of our structures and to give me a mix of working both on site and in the office."

Chloe, Civil and Infrastructure Engineering Degree Apprentice