Academy9 Careers
We’ve been catching up with two of our professional colleagues working on Academy9 to ask them about their careers and how they entered the world of work. First, we have Archie, who has just started his career as a bridge engineer, and then we have Maxine who is an ecologist. Both work on large scale infrastructure projects but contribute in very different ways. As you will see both followed a very interesting path into their respective disciplines. Find out what inspired them into their careers and what advice they would give to someone leaving school.
Archie Calderwood, Graduate Bridge Engineer
Tell me your name, job, where you work, and a little bit about what you do
I’m Archie Calderwood, and I work as a bridge engineer in Glasgow. As a bridge engineer, I’m responsible for assessing existing bridges all over Scotland to make sure they are still able to carry traffic safely over them. Many infrastructure assets in the UK, such as bridges, are now reaching an age where significant deterioration has occurred, so it’s really important that we make sure they are still up to standard and if not, investigate how we can improve them.
Bridge engineers are also involved in the design and construction of new bridges. Most recently we have been involved in the Partick-Govan and Stockingfield Junction footbridges in Glasgow, which won many awards and has improved the areas surrounding them.
What attracted you to this field/career?
I’ve always been interested in construction and creating things. I originally thought about being an architect, but I was more interested in the physics side of construction rather than the creative side, I like to know how things work and how they are constructed.
What was your path to beginning that career? E.g. Subjects at school, college, university, did you do a year out after school, or work before you could decide? i.e. there are no correct routes to success.
In school I enjoyed physics and maths, which are the two key subjects for civil engineering. When I finished school I didn’t achieve the grades required to get into university, so I went to Glasgow Kelvin College full time for 2 years, gaining a Higher National Certificate in civil engineering. This allowed me to go straight into second year at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, where I got my master’s degree in civil engineering.
HNC/HND Civil Engineering – SQA
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering | Heriot-Watt University
What does a day in your job look like?
Most of the time I’m in the office, either writing assessment reports or creating models of bridges on my computer. I use models to simulate how a bridge will act when traffic runs over it, and then I’ll calculate if the bridge is able to carry those traffic loads safely.
What are the best things about your job and the things you enjoy least?
I’d say the thing I enjoy most about my job is that it’s always different and you’re always learning. Every bridge is unique so while one thing might work for one bridge it might not work for another, so you need to be able to adapt what you know and apply it to what you have in front of you. I also really enjoy getting out on site and actually seeing the bridges I assess, it gives me more of an appreciation for what I do, as sometimes only seeing things on a computer screen doesn’t give me an idea of the scale of some the bridges I’m working on.
Which has been more valuable in your career, education or experience?
It’s tough to pick one, I think my education has been really important as it’s given me an understanding of the fundamentals of civil engineering, in an environment where it’s okay to make mistakes. However, since my university graduation I have gained a lot of experience on real projects, and it’s provided me opportunities to put my education to use and further my learning. Overall, I would go with experience, but only just.
What can I do to improve my career prospects? Volunteering, work experience, society membership, etc?
I think trying to get experience and exposure to the industry you want to work in is important. I initially got into engineering because my parents had a family friend who was a bridge engineer, so when I was in school I had the opportunity to work a week in his office and get that initial exposure to construction work. If you have relevant experience, then it can really make your UCAS application stand out when you’re applying to higher education courses/apprenticeships.
If you could go back in time, is there anything you would do differently?
I definitely would have looked into the apprenticeship route instead of full-time education. When I left school apprenticeships were available but were not promoted nearly as much as they are now. I think apprenticeships provide you with a great of balance of education and experience, and then when you finish, you’re ready to become a full engineer with years of experience under your belt already. (Plus, you’re getting paid while you’re doing it which is a nice bonus!)
Maxine McNaughton, Ecologist
Tell me your name, job, where you work, and a little bit about what you do
My name is Maxine, and I am an Ecologist from Edinburgh. Although based in Edinburgh, my work takes me all over Scotland, carrying out wildlife surveys of the many protected species we have in all kinds of environments. Sometimes, I’ll be working close to home on sites being developed for housing, hospitals, or power stations, and other times, I’ll be further afield supporting contractors on large road projects, wind farms, and energy developments. My work ensures that wildlife is considered in construction and development projects, helping to protect and conserve habitats and species.
What attracted you to this field/career?
I’ve always loved the outdoors and cared about conserving protected species. I love animals and learning about their ecology and behaviour, so a career where I could actively contribute to their protection felt like a perfect fit. I wanted a job that kept me outside, engaged with nature, and making a difference in wildlife conservation.
What was your path to beginning that career? E.g. Subjects at school, college, university, did you do a year out after school, or work before you could decide? i.e. there are no correct routes to success.
My journey wasn’t the most straightforward—I actually failed Higher Biology and Maths twice, which meant I couldn’t go straight to university. Instead, I went to college and completed an HNC in Animal Care, which gave me a strong foundation in working with animals and conservation principles. From there, I went on to study Conservation Biology and Management at the University of Stirling.
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation C185 | Find a course | University of Stirling
Alongside my studies, I got involved in local wildlife volunteering groups, which is absolutely necessary to stand out in this field. This hands-on experience helped me build my skills, make valuable connections, and gain the practical knowledge that employers look for. It was through this experience that I landed my first seasonal role as a bat ecologist, which was a key stepping stone into my career.
What does a day in your job look like?
No two days are the same! I mostly undertake surveys for my favourite groups of animals: mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Most of my surveys involve becoming what I call a “wildlife detective”—searching for evidence and signs of a species’ presence and recording this information to ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place to meet legislative requirements.
Surveys might involve looking for evidence of badgers, otters, pine martens, red squirrels, beavers, reptiles, newts, and many more species. This could mean searching for tracks, droppings, burrows, feeding remains, or even setting up remote cameras to capture activity. Some days involve early mornings or late nights, depending on the species being surveyed.
While fieldwork is a big part of my job, I also spend time on desk-based tasks like report writing. Although it might not be as exciting as being out in nature, it’s an essential part of the job and just as interesting—I’m always learning something new!
What are the best things about your job and the things you enjoy least?
One of the best things about my job is getting to visit beautiful parts of the country—especially on those (occasional) sunny days! There’s nothing more rewarding than finding evidence of some of my favourite species, like otters. It’s a great sense of achievement and an invaluable skill to be able to track animals, especially since this information is crucial for ensuring big developments take wildlife into account.
The part I enjoy least is when I have full weeks dedicated solely to reporting tasks—but thankfully, that doesn’t happen too often! Even then, it’s still an important part of the job, and I always end up learning something new in the process.
Which has been more valuable in your career, education or experience?
Both have played an important role, but experience has been the most valuable. While my degree gave me the theoretical knowledge I needed, the hands-on field experience, volunteering, and practical skills I developed through work placements made the biggest difference in securing jobs. Employers in ecology often look for practical field skills and survey experience, so getting involved in real-world conservation work is essential.
What can I do to improve my career prospects? Volunteering, work experience, society membership, etc?
- Volunteering: Get involved with conservation organizations like The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, or local nature reserves.
Volunteering opportunities | Scottish Wildlife Trust
RSPB Volunteering Opportunities
- Work experience: Seek internships, placements, or seasonal roles with ecological consultancies.
- Survey skills: Learn how to identify key species and habitats, and get experience in protected species surveys.
- Networking: Join professional groups like CIEEM (Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management). Home | CIEEM
- Further training: Consider taking specialist courses in protected species licensing, GIS mapping, or other relevant skills.
If you could go back in time, is there anything you would do differently?
I’d probably try to gain even more hands-on experience earlier, perhaps by volunteering abroad or getting involved in conservation projects outside my studies. Having a wider range of field skills and networking contacts an really help in this career. Other than that, I’m happy with the path I took—every experience helped shape my journey in ecology.
Read more of our blog posts below
- Academy9 Careers
- Developing Our ‘Risk Radars’ – Grantown Grammar School P7 Transition Event
- Sustainable Roads Design: Protecting Nature’s Superheroes
- Designing Sustainable Infrastructure: Learning from the Past and Nature
- Embracing Winter Wellness: Integrating Academy9 Winter Roads Lesson Series into Your Curriculum
