---
title: Adam Salum
url: "https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/meet-our-apprentices-and-graduates/adam-salum/"
type: page
date_published: 2025-02-06
date_modified: 2025-03-18
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reading_time: 7 min
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---

# Adam Salum

![Adam Salum](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/05/personal-story-website-header.jpg)

![Adam Salum career profile picture](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/02/adam-salum-career-profile-picture-300x300.png)

**Role**: Civil Engineering Degree Apprentice

**Career Area**: Engineering Design 

**Current Study Level**: Degree Apprenticeship

**Location**: Birmingham

###### My role at SYSTRA

I am a civil engineering technician in the Bridges Team where I undertake
technical tasks that contribute to the projects my team are working on. I am
part of the team developing models and drawings to standard for structures at
the detailed design stage.

I am undergoing training to become competent at using various modelling software
programmes like MicroStation and understanding design processes. 

Another one of my duties is issuing forms for consent requesting approval for
construction of bridges. This entails preparing consents packs with
documentation about the structure. These are reviewed through different stages
of the team and then presented to the council where they decide to approve for
construction or otherwise. 

#### Why I chose a degree apprenticeship

I mainly became fully acquainted with apprenticeships when I joined Aston
University Engineering Academy, which is a University Technical College. They
advertised apprenticeships to us, giving us information about how you can gain
experience whilst studying for free, and at the same time attain a salary. This
meant I could attain a full degree free of debt and at the same have valuable
experience by the time I graduated.  

Furthermore, doing my Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering, together with an
A Level in Mathematics, gave me a feel for the practical aspects of engineering
through the different modules I undertook, and allowed me to build the
theoretical foundations of mathematics required to be a civil engineer. These
qualifications, and the valuable work experience I had, made it even clearer to
me that the civil engineering route was the path to take.  

I chose the apprenticeship with SYSTRA because I felt their training and
development plan was clear and they would systematically make sure I got the
best out of my experience and studies at university, whilst also allowing me to
work towards meeting the ICE attributes and IEng status. I was very intrigued by
the different projects SYSTRA has been involved with across the globe in areas
other competitors may not have reached, and at the same time the different
disciplines SYSTRA covers. 

###### We asked Adam…

###### How have your technical skills developed throughout your apprenticeship?

I have developed my modelling skills through learning how to use software like
MicroStation, MIDAS Civil and more, to produce models of structures for
analysis, checks and evaluations. I have built knowledge of the main engineering
structural principles, like forces on a beam, and used that knowledge to conduct
calculations for design checks. 

###### How have you grown personally through doing an apprenticeship?

I feel the main aspect of my life that has changed since I started my
apprenticeship is my perception of time. Seeing everyone around me working to
deadlines, pushing to meet targets and hit milestones, naturally pushes me to be
considerate of the time I spend on a task, track progress and be more efficient
once I have grasped a concept.

I have also developed in terms of communication as I have worked with, and have
had to reach out to, people of different statuses within the business, and
people from different countries and backgrounds. This has improved my
interaction with others in terms of clarity, how to phrase emails and messages
the best way to put my point or question across – this skill has really helped
me in my day-to-day life. 

###### What advice would you offer to someone who’s unsure if an apprenticeship is right for them?

I would 100% encourage someone to do an apprenticeship. The main reason for me
is the valuable experience you can attain at such a young age, that people years
older than you do not have. I would also say to do as much research as possible
regarding the specific field you want to get into, and use that to determine
whether an apprenticeship would be the best thing for you to meet your career
goals.  

Another important thing is to reach out to current apprentices as well through
careers fairs and similar events to get more of an insight into what works best
for you.  

###### How does SYSTRA stand out as a great place to work?

For me, above anything it has to be the Connected Teams aspect of the company
and the fact every day we get to work with engineers from all over the world
focusing on the same projects, brainstorming and progressing together. Having
that opportunity to travel city-to-city to different offices, and collaborating
with and learning from other team members, makes SYSTRA a really great place to
work. 

I would also say the fact our open plan offices are designed really well with
collaboration in mind, means it is easier to work well as a team. There really
is a community feeling to our workspaces – everyone can reach out to one another
for support. 

SYSTRA is also very diverse and there is a lot to learn from people of different
backgrounds and cultures. 

###### What’s your favourite thing about your job right now?

My favourite part is learning from different people and the mentoring I get from
my team. Everyone is willing to share advice and give a helping hand. Developing
my technical skills to then implement them, and seeing myself actively
contributing to such major projects at such an early stage in my life, makes me
even more determined to go further. 

###### Diversity is powerful. What unique perspective do you offer as an apprentice?

In a diverse company like SYSTRA, people have different individual perspectives.
Our perspectives in the workplace are respected and valued, which is the basis
of such positive collaboration with fellow colleagues at SYSTRA. As a young
apprentice, I feel I am innovative, find new solutions to challenges and think
differently. This is increasing the more I learn through new tasks and being
involved in more projects. I am quite collaborative as well and like to support
and encourage other young people with their career development. 

###### What would an entirely green future look like? How should our industry contribute?

One of the main ways that a green future can be achieved is through refining the
way we travel, and I think as a consultancy specialising in mobility, we have
huge potential to find more sustainable transport solutions across the globe.
SYSTRA is working very hard to achieve this already. 

###### You can spend your lunchbreak with anyone you admire – who would you choose?

It would be Muhammad Ali, the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. I am
amazed a man with such humble beginnings possessed so much self-confidence,
especially at a time where he faced so much adversity. He stood on his own and
pushed for what he believed in, becoming more than just a boxing legend, as he
became a global role model. 

###### What is your next big career goal?

My next career goal is to complete my Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship and attain
my IEng status, which would then lead me to aim for chartership.  

###### What excites you about your career future?

The opportunity to work in different disciplines and on large projects, and
collaborating with talented engineers across the world to develop infrastructure
and systems. 

[> View all ](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/meet-our-apprentices-and-graduates/)

[Learn more about apprenticeships](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/apprenticeships/)