Alex Dell joined TNEI as a Graduate Acoustic Consultant in September 2021, working within the Environment and Engineering team primarily on wind farm and industrial noise projects. Prior to starting at TNEI he was at the University of Sheffield working towards a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (which he is still writing up!). The research theme of his PhD is within Acoustics and Alex’s experience was a great fit to work in an acoustic consulting role.
What made you apply for a Graduate Consultant role at TNEI?
What attracted me to the role at TNEI was the support and training that was offered to me. As TNEI is smaller company, there is plenty of one-to-one support available and lots of opportunity for further training and career development. The fact that TNEI Is involved in a variety of different projects in the renewable and energy sectors is great as it allows you to build up your skillset quicker than if you were limited in project choice.
Additionally, being able to work within the renewables sector was a huge plus for me. I have always had an interest in renewables and now being able to apply my skillset to help build towards a greener future is something I am proud of.
How would you sum up your role as a graduate consultant?
Challenging and rewarding. Challenging in the sense that there is a lot to learn and rewarding as the projects are of high quality and are making a positive impact in the world.
What skills have you learned/developed since joining?
The main thing for me is the improvement in my project management skills. So far I have had the opportunity to be the project manager for several different projects, which I have found to be very rewarding. Through the support of my colleagues, I have also had the opportunity to develop my technical skills in relation to acoustic modelling and in the production of documents such as Environmental Impact Assessments and technical reports.
Did you have any concerns about the job before you started?
I was initially unsure how the transition from academia to industry would go but I have enjoyed the change. This is due to the variety of projects I get to work on and the generally collaborative nature of the work.
What is the best thing about working for TNEI?
The work culture at TNEI is great – everyone is friendly and welcoming, and the work environment is pleasant. This in conjunction with the frequent social events means it is easy to get to know everyone!
How often do you engage with clients?
I speak to clients nearly every day, whether that be updating them on projects or having kick-off meetings for the start of new projects. No two days are the same and it certainly keeps you on your toes.
Is there anything that has surprised you?
I have found the amount of growing responsibility given to me to be a welcome surprise. I have been trusted to deliver several projects so far and have found this to be a great learning experience. There is always someone willing to help if I do get stuck as well.
What advice would you give anyone who is thinking about applying to be a consultant at TNEI?
Be prepared to hit the ground running.
Are you a final year student or graduate interested in a career within the renewable energy industry? If Alex has inspired you to grow your career with TNEI, our 2022 graduate vacancies are now open. View all graduate vacancies on ourcareers pages.Applications closeat theend of January.
