
Are you the Construction, Engineering and Environment Undergraduate of the Year?
We’re searching UK universities to find the outstanding Construction, Engineering and Environment Undergraduate of the Year. We are looking for a creative and innovative thinker with a passion for sustainable development and improving social outcomes.
Win
You could win a 6-to-12-week paid internship tailored to your interests OR a 12-month industrial placement. You will also be given the opportunity to secure a permanent graduate role on AECOM's development programme upon graduation.
All finalists will also be considered for paid work experience opportunities with AECOM.
To enter you need to:
- be an undergraduate student in your penultimate year at university or your second year of a four-year course
- be studying a construction, energy and sustainability, engineering, environmental, project management, quantity surveying, transport planning or water related degree
- have the right to work in the UK and Ireland after graduation.
To enter you need to:
- be an undergraduate student with an interest in management as a future career
- be in your first or second year of a three-year course or your first, second or third year of a four-year course at university
- have the right to work in the UK after graduation.
What makes an award winner?
Our Construction, Engineering and Environment Undergraduate of the Year will be:
- passionate for sustainable development and improving social outcomes’
- adaptable and eager to solve problems
- inquisitive and prepared to use their initiative
- an innovative and creative thinker
- a strong communicator – both in person and virtually
- able to work in teams and build strong relationships
- driven to pursue their own career development.
Crucially, our winner will be able to articulate how they share AECOM’s values:
- Safeguard – we operate ethically and with integrity, while prioritising safety and security in all that we do
- Innovate – we think without limits and embrace new ideas, shaping digital solutions to help clients address current and future challenges
- Collaborate – we connect unrivalled expertise from around the world to anticipate and solve our clients’ most pressing challenges
- Deliver – we grow our business through relentless client focus, operational excellence and exceptional project execution
- Sustain – we take action to make a positive impact on the planet, enrich the communities we touch and build legacies for future generations
- Thrive – we build diverse teams, create an inclusive workplace and provide opportunities where each one of our people can reach their potential.
How do I win?
Register
Register your details online and answer two questions set by AECOM.
Must be completed by 30.01.23
Online tests
Receive an email inviting you three online tests designed exclusively by our partner SHL.
Must be completed by 30.01.23
Submit by 30.01.23
Your details must be submitted and all online tests completed by 30 January 2023.
If you are successful in getting through to the next stage, you will hear from us by 28 February 2023.
Assessment centre
If you pass the online tests and successfully make it to the next stage your application will be reviewed by AECOM.
Grand final
The final shortlist of ten students will be invited to the awards ceremony on 21 April 2023, where the award winners will be announced.
AECOM and the Construction, Engineering and Environment Undergraduate of the Year Award
AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from planning, design and engineering to programme and construction management.
At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world.
Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivalled technical expertise and innovation, a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities.
We believe infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone. Whether it’s improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive.
Our clients trust us to bring together the best people, ideas, technical expertise and digital solutions to our work in transportation, buildings, water, the environment and new energy. We’re one global team - 47,000 strong - driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world.
Our graduates and placement students work on small-scale-to-massive international infrastructure projects, embedding sustainable development and positive social outcomes in everything they do. Our graduates are redesigning sewers in the Midlands to help combat increased storm events due to climate change; improving the energy performance of listed buildings; supporting the Environment Agency to identify holistic solutions for the management of flooding in York; undertaking acoustic modelling and auralisation of the proposed A303 Stonehenge road routing change to protect the amenity of this historic monument; working on the Mersey Gateway, monitoring the surrounding ecology and environment, as well as soil remediation and materials re-use; and much more.
Here, you will have freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
Why are we partnering this award?
At AECOM we are serious about equality, diversity and inclusion. By partnering with this award, we want to connect with a diverse range of students across the UK.
We are always looking to bring new talent into our business. One of the things that impresses our senior leaders the most is young talent putting themselves forward for self-development opportunities, and really taking every opportunity they can to develop their skills. We want to use their excitement for new ideas, innovation and new ways of thinking to drive change through our business.
At AECOM we have a number of ‘shadow boards’ where groups of junior engineers and graduates share their ideas for business change with senior management, and a number of our leaders also engage in reverse mentoring, so our early talent really are encouraged to share their ideas and views with senior leadership.
Our placement opportunities are a great chance for students to learn more about the industry, develop their technical knowledge, and to ‘try out’ AECOM to see whether our culture and working environment is a good fit. Those who perform well are welcomed back the following summer or offered permanent roles on our graduate development programme, and given the opportunity to make a positive impact on the planet, enrich the communities we touch, and help build legacies for future generations.
We are really excited to receive all applications and read about everyone’s passions and, while there can only be one winner, we will be looking to consider all shortlisted students for standard placement opportunities (summer or industrial) in 2023.
You can find out more about AECOM, our vision to deliver a better world and how you can be a part of this here.
Hear from previous winners and finalists
Jasmine Brittan
Engineering, University of Warwick

Finalist of the Construction and Engineering Award, 2020
My favourite part of this experience was engaging in conversation about civil engineering projects that inspired me and they provided me with further detail of Laing O’Rourke’s contribution to these.
Read the blog
Younas Mahmood
Civil Engineering, University of Manchester

Finalist of the Construction and Engineering Award, 2019
Even though I didn’t win, making it to the final was one of the proudest moments of my life. I had never reached the assessment stage in any application, but now I was a finalist for an award. I have made sure to use this in future applications and updated my social media and CV with all the highlights from the day. This opportunity helped me learn more about assessment centres, gave me interview and presentation practice, and gave me the opportunity to meet fellow undergrads and new friends.
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Luke Collinson
Mechanical Engineering, University of Manchester

Winner of the Construction and Engineering Award, 2019
One of the things I was worried about is the fact I am so unpolished and inexperienced compared to most of the other applicants – I don’t have family connections in the industry, and I didn’t go to Oxbridge. From feedback from the judges, what really made me stand out was my eagerness to improve my life and my ability to think logically when given a task. Not only would I recommend that everyone apply, but I would also suggest it’s not all about showing engineering/academic material, it’s more about your holistic approach to education and why you have the most potential. I am so thankful to Laing O’Rourke and TARGETjobs for the opportunity to take part in this competition.
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Zuzana Stunova
Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management, Nottingham Trent University

Finalist of the Construction and Engineering Award, 2019
I would definitely recommend applying to anyone considering it. You have nothing to lose, but can gain a lot, so why not to give it a try?
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Yusuf Shauq
Mechanical Engineering, University of Surrey

Finalist of the Construction and Engineering Award, 2019
This experience has taught me lots of different skills that I will use in my professional career. I would definitely recommend and encourage students to apply to the Undergraduate of the Year Awards because, like me, you might surprise yourself with how well you can do. There is so much you can gain from taking part in the Awards and you could be the winner of your category.
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Rachel Hayden
Civil engineering, University of Bath

Winner of the Construction and Engineering Award, 2018
I can’t believe how quickly my three-week work placement in Australia with Laing O’Rourke flew by! I honestly had the most incredible time and learned so much from being able to see a wide range of projects and meet so many people from across the business in a variety of roles.
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Lauren Wade
Civil engineering, University of Plymouth

Finalist of the Construction and Engineering Award, 2018
Overall, although I didn’t win, my experience of the Awards is something I wouldn’t change. I am so glad I decided to take a chance and apply, as it has taught me skills and provided me with experiences that I am sure will shape my career from now on
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Serena Gough
Civil engineering, The University of Nottingham

Finalist of the Construction and Engineering Award, 2017
I would recommend to everyone that they should submit an application. The entire procedure gives an invaluable insight into the graduate recruitment process and develops transferable skills that will enhance your future career, plus you’ll secure great friendships along the way!
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Matthew Welsh
Civil engineering , Nottingham Trent University

Winner of the Construction and Engineering Award, 2017
I am honoured to have won and taken part in such a prestigious award that will hopefully help me pave my way to a successful career within the industry. Not only has the award aided my professional development, but along the journey I have been fortunate enough to create new friendships.
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Jessica Dowdy
Construction project management, Oxford Brookes University

Winner of the Construction and Engineering Award, 2015
My advice to those of you who may be reading this and are in a position to apply for the Awards would be to go for it! There is absolutely nothing to lose and you may end up surprising yourself, just like I did. Good luck!
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Brittany Harris
Civil engineering, University of Bristol

Winner of the Construction and Engineering Award, 2014
Laing O’Rourke has a hiking team and we go out twice a week, which is a great way to get to know people and see Hong Kong. I have also managed to fit in lots of sightseeing on my weekends, but I still have plenty more to do.
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Sarah Leggett
Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield

Winner of the Construction and Engineering Award, 2013
I received an email from TARGETjobs advertising the opportunity to ‘Win an internship’ and decided I had nothing to lose!
Read the blog