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Role: Project Analyst
Career Area: Project and Commercial Management
Location: Manchester
My role at SYSTRA
I am a Project Analyst within the Conventional Rail Project Management team. My main responsibility as a Project Analyst is the maintenance and evolution of the Monthly Project Reviews (MPR) for Conventional Rail. This includes the attendance, locations, timing and template used for the MPRs.
Along with my MPR responsibilities, I further my training in Project Management through courses and shadowing. At the moment I am also helping the Sales and Bidding team as an Assistant Bid Manager. My main responsibilities in bidding are developing preparation documents (for instance a capability matrix) and offering support to my Bid Manager on their responsibilities.
This allows me to grow my understanding of all current and future projects within SYSTRA as well as developing my knowledge of the industry.
My career journey
Before SYSTRA I attended high school and sixth form and then I took a gap year. Throughout my gap year I was self-employed. Running my own business taught me several invaluable skills like client communication, financial responsibility and time management. It also developed my confidence in my own abilities and a growth mindset.
Whilst undertaking work experience at SYSTRA, my technical skills have increased dramatically. I joined the company knowing very little, and throughout those first two weeks I was introduced to various aspects of project management, planning, finance and more, which really fast-tracked my skills and knowledge. My communications skills have also grown immensely, as I have been required to liaise with people who I would otherwise not have been confident enough to talk to.
Moving from work experience to a full-time role was a surprise. I think that the way I joined the business gives me a unique viewpoint as someone who is completely new to the industry and never attended university. This also means that my knowledge is constantly developing, and my understanding is growing.
Moving forward, my next big career goal is to progress into Project Management, hopefully over the next 12 months. Being a part of a growing business in an ever-changing field, the future is unknown and the possibilities of that are endless!
We asked Benedict…
When did you realise this was the career path for you?
I realised that this is a career that I would like to pursue during my gap year. My work experience reinforced this belief as it showed me what this career would look like and what my responsibilities would be.
Have you got any words of wisdom for someone starting out in a similar role?
My advice for someone starting in a similar role, or coming from a similar background as me, is to come in with a positive, growth mindset. Understand that you will make mistakes and instead of dwelling on your mistakes, try to understand why the mistakes happened and then add measures to ensure that those mistakes are unlikely to happen again.
How does SYSTRA stand out from the rest as a great place to work?
SYSTRA is the perfect environment to develop my career due to the company being a growing force within the rail industry, whilst also expanding into other sectors. It offers the chance of working on some of the largest projects in the country and developing a network both within SYSTRA and outside of it.
The Meet the Management Forums and Townhall Q&As also make SYSTRA stand out as a Great Place to Work – it makes the senior leadership far more visible and accountable than they would be if those communication lines were not there.
With such power in diversity, what unique perspective do you bring to the table?
I am young, never went to university and am neurodiverse. This gives me a unique perspective within SYSTRA, and it enables me to approach problems with a different viewpoint than most.
Where is the place that has inspired you the most?
Old Trafford – the place is really important to me personally, and I always feel inspired when I think about it or go there.
What does true sustainability really mean to you?
To me, true sustainability means taking no more than you need, implementing measures to mitigate your impact and taking steps to repair the damage that you do.
What would a green future look like?
A green future would be a carbon net zero one. Our industry needs to contribute to this by ensuring the electrification of both current and future rail lines, as well as developing more environmentally friendly techniques and methods – then implementing them into our projects.
How do you look after your wellbeing outside of work?
I look after my wellbeing outside of work through keeping active and ensuring that I always have the time to do what I enjoy.
If you could spend your lunchbreak with someone you really admire, who would you choose?
Sir Alex Ferguson. I believe that he could offer immense insight on people management, along with how to maintain success over long periods of time
If you had to pick, which mode of transport would you use for the rest of your life?
Electric car. If it was up to me, I would drive everywhere and anywhere because of the freedom that driving offers and because you are the one in control of your destination.