VANESSA
CHONG
JADE
CROSS
ALEX
WIERZBICKI
MICHAEL
ALCANTARA
MEET OUR GRADUATES
At WSP, each year we proudly recruit graduates across our 26 offices and 10 laboratories located throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
We are passionate about the work our graduates do, leading the way in designing a different future and reimagining how we plan, design, and build in New Zealand.
To get a better understanding of a day in the life of a WSP Graduate, we followed four of our new starters to gain insight into their experiences.
6.45AM
8.00AM
12.00PM
1.00PM
3.00PM
5.00PM
A DAY IN THE LIFE
JADE CROSS
6.45am
The first thing I do when I wake up is make a cup of green tea and read my book for a few minutes. Then, I quickly get ready and head off to the bus.
8.00am
When I get to the office, I start my day creating a to-do list. First on the list: working on a report investigating the likelihood of a land contamination on site that is having new school buildings constructed. This will be used to inform if further investigation and remedial action is required.
12.00pm
Today is a beautiful sunny day, so some of my team and I go and sit in the park down the street for lunch.
1.00pm
The sample bottles for tomorrows stormwater sampling have arrived at the office. One of my team members and I organise them into chilly bins and take them down to the storeroom where we organise the equipment and PPE we will need to take with us tomorrow. We then go over health and safety, and plan what sites we need to visit.
3.00pm
In the afternoon, I have a kick-off meeting for an exciting new project. I also do an Akoranga learning/training course. This one is on Future Ready. Future Ready is about identifying future trends relating to climate, society, technology, and resources, and how we should integrate those into our work to create informed, resilient, and adaptive outcomes.
5.00pm
After work, I head to the beach with my friends for a swim and to catch the sunset.
7.00AM
8.00AM
8.30PM
10.30PM
12.30PM
2.00PM
5.00PM
A DAY IN THE LIFE
ALEX WIERZBICK
7.00am
When I wake up, I read the news and make breakfast: Today it is a fruit bowl and tea.
8.00am
I head out from my apartment and walk to work along the waterfront and viaduct. It’s a beautiful summers day and the cafes are starting to fill up.
8.30am
Because WSP is a multi-disciplinary company, I am able to work on wide-ranging projects. I am currently working on a large-scale transportation project, a city-wide strategy and a park design.
10.30am
I meet with my team for a workshop on the large-scale transportation project. I then collate our ideas in a digital mapping space so that we can take these further into concept design.
12.30pm
I head to the lunch room with my team. There's always someone looking for a table tennis match!
2.00pm
I have a meeting with the Australian Cities team regarding a city-wide strategy I am currently working on. We set up future meetings for collaboration and discuss how to achieve the client’s goals.
5.00pm
I take advantage of the great weather and walk home through the city. After work I like to catch-up with friends. Today's been busy in the office, so I am going home to watch a movie and unwind.
7.20am
My commute into work takes 40 mins via two buses. Even though WSP has a flexible working policy, I prefer working in the office everyday because I enjoy being around my team.
8.00am
When I get to work, I set up my desk and check my emails, messages, and calendar. Our office has hot-desking, so I book my desk for the next available days.
8.30am
My first task is to carry out some ventilation calculations on Excel and estimate the building’s heating and cooling loads using HAP software.
This is an important step in the project’s concept design stage for HVAC/mechanical services.
10.00am
Every morning at 10am, my team meets on Microsoft Teams to do the daily Stuff quiz and have a quick catch-up.
10.30am
I have a meeting with the Project Director to get feedback on my work. We run through the equipment selection procedure together as part of my on-the-job training.
12.00pm
The nationwide Building Services team attend an online Tech Talk every Monday. Today’s topic is “Ventilation for Pandemic Conditions”. As one of the Tech Talk organisers, I am responsible for sending reminders and recording the presentations.
1.00pm
For lunch I eat homemade fried rice. There are lots of yummy food places near our office, but I like to save money and only eat out when there's a planned team or graduate lunch.
1.30pm
Team resourcing meetings also occur on Mondays. We discuss workloads for the week ahead and give project updates.
2.30pm
For the rest of the afternoon, I complete the equipment schedule and use Bluebeam to markup symbols and comments on drawings for concept design submission.
5.30pm
After getting home from work, I like to go for a walk around Big King Reserve and practise piano.
7.20AM
8.00AM
8.30AM
10.00AM
10.30AM
12.00PM
1.00PM
1.30PM
2.30PM
5.30PM
A DAY IN THE LIFE
VANESSA CHONG
7.30AM
8.00AM
12.00PM
1.00PM
4.00PM
5.00PM
A DAY IN THE LIFE
MICHAEL ALCANTARA
7.30am
I start my day with a quick breakfast and cup of coffee. I live on the shore, and I take advantage of the public transport subsidy provided by WSP to get to work. It’s about a 10-minute bus ride for me and the view over the harbour is always amazing.
8.00am
My days at the office are never the same. Today, I will be working on a culvert design, developing, and assessing options to upgrade an existing underperforming culvert under one of Auckland busy state highways.
12.00pm
A new member has joined our team this year. And what better welcome than a wholesome team lunch.
1.00pm
I then get ready to go out for a weekly culvert inspection. Together with the team, we inspect culverts throughout the Auckland region to check that they are operating as designed. I then write up my findings and send it back to the asset manager to help inform vital stormwater asset management decisions
4.00pm
To finish of the day, I am joining a kick off meeting for a major stream restoration project. Today we discussed our approach to restore and future proof a vulnerable stream section in the Auckland region.
5.00pm
After work, I like to unwind. On most days a quick workout at the gym, but today, a nice walk on the beach.
A DAY IN
MY LIFE AS
A WSP GRAD
Graduate Environmental Scientist - Earth and Environment
Jade’s iwi: Ngāpuhi. Jade’s hapū: Ngāti Kawa
CROSS
JADE
What if you could
make a difference
in your career
every day?
Jade joined WSP’s Earth & Environment Team in September 2022 after graduating from the University of Auckland with two degrees: a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Global Studies, majoring in Global Environment and Sustainable Development.
What are your areas of responsibilities in your role?
In my role I work on many different projects, each with unique contexts and challenges. For example, one of the projects I am working on is a preliminary site investigation on the potential contamination risks involved with part of a waterfront upgrade project. This is the first step to ensure the support of human health and the environment through the development and completion of the project.
What does a typical day-to-day look like?
My typical day-to-day at WSP involves a lot of report work. This is inclusive of researching and resourcing information relevant to the report, reviewing that information, and writing the report itself. Some days I can be out in the field with a co-worker conducting environmental monitoring work which typically involves sampling different mediums including stormwater, surface water, groundwater, and soil. What I enjoy about this work is the variety it offers. No day is the same, each project brings something new to the table and I find myself constantly learning.
What made you choose WSP as an employer?
Being passionate about the environment and sustainability, I have always wanted to make a difference and contribute to paving the way to a better future. WSP stood out as an employer that could help me achieve those goals as they prioritised purposeful change, collaboration, and diversity. Also, the global reach of WSP is second to none. As someone who wants to move overseas at some stage while still progressing in my career, it was very enticing to know that there might be the opportunity to do so while remaining in the company.
What advice would you give to a student studying environmental science?
The advice I would give to an environmental science student who is looking for their first role is to make sure you stay true to what your passionate about. Aligning with a consultancy and a team that wants the same things as you will greatly enhance your career experience. Also, looking for a role that has a great graduate programme that fosters connection, growth, and collaboration with others will be invaluable. That was WSP for me.
What if you could turn our concrete jungles green?
GRADUATE URBAN DESIGNER
WIERZBICKI
ALEX
A DAY IN
MY LIFE AS
A WSP GRAD
Alex joined WSP's Landscape Architecture team in September 2022 after completing a Master's in Urban Planning and Urban Design at the University of Auckland. Alex also has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
What made you choose WSP as an employer?
WSP stood out because its scale would allow me to gain the greatest breadth of experience possible, while the interview process and feedback I had heard made me feel that as a graduate I would still be included in the decision-making process for projects.
What was the recruitment process like?
The recruitment process was friendly and relaxed, but still thorough. Communication from HR and my now current team was very strong and made me feel valued and gave me a good impression of what life at WSP might be like.
Is the job what you expected?
The job is mostly as I expected with regards to the contents and processes of project work. However, working in a new team (Urban Design) in a very large company was something that I was unsure how to anticipate and has proven to be an area of great learning for my interpersonal skills as well as being rewarding as it has allowed to feel a greater ownership of my role in the company.
What advice would you give to an urban design student who is looking for their first role?
I think some young prospective urban designers are put-off the field because of it being so small and new: I encourage them to take the plunge as it has a lot of opportunities for people that are passionate and creative. Also, trust your gut and go where you feel is best for you to grow as a designer.
A DAY IN
MY LIFE AS
A WSP GRAD
Graduate Mechanical Engineer
CHONG
VANESSA
What if you could help rewrite the future?
Vanessa joined WSP’s Building Services team in February 2022 after completing her Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechatronics Engineering. Vanessa also completed a Certificate in Languages in German.
Why did you choose a degree in Mechatronics Engineering?
I chose to study Engineering because I wanted to use my problem-solving skills to design solutions to real-world problems and work on exciting projects with people from different disciplines. I decided to specialise in Mechatronics Engineering because it is a broad discipline encompassing mechanical, electrical, software and control systems, allowing me to apply my skills to many roles and industries.
What made you choose WSP as an employer?
I chose WSP as an employer because the innovative and impactful projects on WSP’s website really appealed to me. I also liked how WSP is a multidisciplinary company with a Future Ready approach.
What advice would you give a mechanical engineering student who is applying for their first role?
Advice I would give to an engineering student applying for their first role: Don’t be afraid to apply for a role different or unfamiliar to the courses you took at university. According to the 70:20:10 model, 70% of learning comes from on-the-job experience, 20% from working with others and 10% from formal learning. Having a positive learning attitude and strong soft skills (e.g., teamwork and communication) will allow you to be successful in your role.
GRADUATE WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEER
ALCANTARA
MICHAEL
What if you could protect our streams, and streamline your career?
A DAY IN
MY LIFE AS
A WSP GRAD
Michael joined WSP’s Water team in November 2021 after completing his Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering.
What made you choose WSP as an employer?
I chose WSP as they are one of the leaders in the engineering industry here in NZ and worldwide. I also thoroughly enjoyed the recruitment process and got a sense of an inclusive and supportive community. After a year of working here, I can confirm that this is still true.
How has the graduate programme enhanced your work experience?
The grad programme has given me guidance and support in such a major change in my life. Stepping into the workforce straight out of uni is both exciting and daunting but the programme has given me a sense of direction and an assurance that I will always get the support I need to grow as an engineer.
What are the biggest challenges / limitations in your job?
The biggest challenge in my job is the escalating impact of climate change. As we have experienced recently, climate change is causing more extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, leading to increased flood risk.
This challenges engineers in the water space to acquire new knowledge and skills fast to stay ahead of the curve and make informed design and planning decisions that keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of our climate.
Embracing the challenges posed by climate change is an inspiring call to action for the next generation of water engineers, and I am excited to be at the forefront of this exciting journey.
What advice would you give to students who are looking for a career in the water sector?
The water sector is very diverse so my advice would be to get insights of the industry out of the university setting.
Take advantage of free industry events and make the most out of your internship experiences. This will not only expand your network, but this will also allow you to better understand your own interests and where they align with the available career opportunities within the water sector.
GRADUATE URBAN DESIGNER
WIERZBICKI
ALEX
What if you could turn our concrete jungles green?
Alex joined WSP's Landscape Architecture team in September 2022 after completing a Master's in Urban Planning and Urban Design at the University of Auckland. Alex also has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
What made you choose WSP as an employer?
WSP stood out because its scale would allow me to gain the greatest breadth of experience possible, while the interview process and feedback I had heard made me feel that as a graduate I would still be included in the decision-making process for projects.
What was the recruitment process like?
The recruitment process was friendly and relaxed, but still thorough. Communication from HR and my now current team was very strong and made me feel valued and gave me a good impression of what life at WSP might be like.
Is the job what you expected?
The job is mostly as I expected with regards to the contents and processes of project work. However, working in a new team (Urban Design) in a very large company was something that I was unsure how to anticipate and has proven to be an area of great learning for my interpersonal skills as well as being rewarding as it has allowed to feel a greater ownership of my role in the company.
What advice would you give to an urban design student who is looking for their first role?
I think some young prospective urban designers are put-off the field because of it being so small and new: I encourage them to take the plunge as it has a lot of opportunities for people that are passionate and creative. Also, trust your gut and go where you feel is best for you to grow as a designer.
A DAY IN MY LIFE AS A
WSP GRAD
7.00am
When I wake up, I read the news and make breakfast: Today it is a fruit bowl and tea.
8.00am
I head out from my apartment and walk to work along the waterfront and viaduct. It’s a beautiful summers day and the cafes are starting to fill up.
8.30am
Because WSP is a multi-disciplinary company, I am able to work on wide-ranging projects. I am currently working on a large-scale transportation project, a city-wide strategy and a park design.
10.30am
I meet with my team for a workshop on the large-scale transportation project. I then collate our ideas in a digital mapping space so that we can take these further into concept design.
12.30pm
I head to the lunch room with some of my team to each lunch and catch-up. There's always someone looking for a table tennis match!
2.00pm
I have a meeting with the Australian Cities team regarding a city-wide strategy I am currently working on. We set up future meetings for collaboration and discuss how to achieve the client’s goals.
5.00pm
I take advantage of the great weather and walk home through the city. After work I like to catch-up with friends. Today's been busy in the office, so I am going home to watch a movie and unwind.
What if you could protect
our streams, and streamline your career?
ALACANTARA
MICHAEL
GRADUATE WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEER
Michael joined WSP’s Water team in November 2021 after completing his Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering.
What made you choose WSP as an employer?
I chose WSP as they are one of the leaders in the engineering industry here in NZ and worldwide. I also thoroughly enjoyed the recruitment process and got a sense of an inclusive and supportive community. After a year of working here, I can confirm that this is still true.
How has the graduate programme enhanced your work experience?
The grad programme has given me guidance and support in such a major change in my life. Stepping into the workforce straight out of uni is both exciting and daunting but the programme has given me a sense of direction and an assurance that I will always get the support I need to grow as an engineer.
What are the biggest challenges / limitations in your job?
The biggest challenge in my job is the escalating impact of climate change. As we have experienced recently, climate change is causing more extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, leading to increased flood risk.
This challenges engineers in the water space to acquire new knowledge and skills fast to stay ahead of the curve and make informed design and planning decisions that keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of our climate.
Embracing the challenges posed by climate change is an inspiring call to action for the next generation of water engineers, and I am excited to be at the forefront of this exciting journey.
What advice would you give to students who are looking for a career in the water sector?
The water sector is very diverse so my advice would be to get insights of the industry out of the university setting.
Take advantage of free industry events and make the most out of your internship experiences. This will not only expand your network, but this will also allow you to better understand your own interests and where they align with the available career opportunities within the water sector.
A DAY IN MY LIFE AS A
WSP GRAD
7.30am
I start my day with a quick breakfast and cup of coffee. I live on the shore, and I take advantage of the public transport subsidy provided by WSP to get to work. It’s about a 10-minute bus ride for me and the view over the harbour is always amazing.
8.00am
My days at the office are never the same. Today, I will be working on a culvert design, developing, and assessing options to upgrade an existing underperforming culvert under one of Auckland busy state highways.
12.00pm
A new member has joined our team this year. And what better welcome than a wholesome team lunch.
1.00pm
I then get ready to go out for a weekly culvert inspection. Together with the team, we inspect culverts throughout the Auckland region to check that they are operating as designed. I then write up my findings and send it back to the asset manager to help inform vital stormwater asset management decisions
4.00pm
To finish of the day, I am joining a kick off meeting for a major stream restoration project. Today we discussed our approach to restore and future proof vulnerable stream section in the Auckland region.
5.00pm
After work, I like to unwind. On most days a quick workout at the gym, but today, a nice walk on the beach.
Graduate Mechanical Engineer
CHONG
VANESSA
What if you could help rewrite the future?
Vanessa joined WSP’s Building Services team in February 2022 after completing her Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechatronics Engineering. Vanessa also completed a Certificate in Languages in German.
Why did you choose a degree in Mechatronics Engineering?
I chose to study Engineering because I wanted to use my problem-solving skills to design solutions to real-world problems and work on exciting projects with people from different disciplines. I decided to specialise in Mechatronics Engineering because it is a broad discipline encompassing mechanical, electrical, software and control systems, allowing me to apply my skills to many roles and industries.
What made you choose WSP as an employer?
I chose WSP as an employer because the innovative and impactful projects on WSP’s website really appealed to me. I also liked how WSP is a multidisciplinary company with a Future Ready approach.
What advice would you give a mechanical engineering student who is applying for their first role?
Advice I would give to an engineering student applying for their first role: Don’t be afraid to apply for a role different or unfamiliar to the courses you took at university. According to the 70:20:10 model, 70% of learning comes from on-the-job experience, 20% from working with others and 10% from formal learning. Having a positive learning attitude and strong soft skills (e.g., teamwork and communication) will allow you to be successful in your role.
7.20am
My commute into work takes 40 mins via two buses. Even though WSP has a flexible working policy, I prefer working in the office everyday because I enjoy being around my team.
8.00am
When I get to work, I set up my desk and check my emails, messages, and calendar. Our office has hot-desking, so I book my desk for the next available days.
8.30am
My first task is to carry out some ventilation calculations on Excel and estimate the building’s heating and cooling loads using HAP software.
This is an important step in the project’s concept design stage for HVAC/mechanical services.
10.00am
Every morning at 10am, my team meets on Microsoft Teams to do the daily Stuff quiz and have a quick catch-up.
10.30am
I have a meeting with the Project Director to get feedback on my work. We run through the equipment selection procedure together as part of my on-the-job training.
12.00pm
The nationwide Building Services team attend an online Tech Talk every Monday. Today’s topic is “Ventilation for Pandemic Conditions”. As one of the Tech Talk organisers, I am responsible for sending reminders and recording the presentations.
1.00pm
For lunch I eat homemade fried rice. There are lots of yummy food places near our office, but I like to save money and only eat out when there's a planned team or graduate lunch.
1.30pm
Team resourcing meetings also occur on Mondays. We discuss workloads for the week ahead and give project updates.
2.30pm
For the rest of the afternoon, I complete the equipment schedule and use Bluebeam to markup symbols and comments on drawings for concept design submission.
5.30pm
After getting home from work, I like to go for a walk around Big King Reserve and practise piano.
A DAY IN MY LIFE AS A
WSP GRAD
JADE
CROSS
Graduate Environmental Scientist - Earth and Environment
Jade’s iwi: Ngāpuhi.
Jade’s hapū: Ngāti Kawa
What if you could
make a difference
in your career
every day?
Jade joined WSP’s Earth & Environment Team in September 2022 after graduating from the University of Auckland with two degrees: a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Global Studies, majoring in Global Environment and Sustainable Development.
What are your areas of responsibilities in your role?
In my role I work on many different projects, each with unique contexts and challenges. For example, one of the projects I am working on is a preliminary site investigation on the potential contamination risks involved with part of a waterfront upgrade project. This is the first step to ensure the support of human health and the environment through the development and completion of the project.
What does a typical day-to-day look like?
My typical day-to-day at WSP involves a lot of report work. This is inclusive of researching and resourcing information relevant to the report, reviewing that information, and writing the report itself. Some days I can be out in the field with a co-worker conducting environmental monitoring work which typically involves sampling different mediums including stormwater, surface water, groundwater, and soil. What I enjoy about this work is the variety it offers. No day is the same, each project brings something new to the table and I find myself constantly learning.
What made you choose WSP as an employer?
Being passionate about the environment and sustainability, I have always wanted to make a difference and contribute to paving the way to a better future. WSP stood out as an employer that could help me achieve those goals as they prioritised purposeful change, collaboration, and diversity. Also, the global reach of WSP is second to none. As someone who wants to move overseas at some stage while still progressing in my career, it was very enticing to know that there might be the opportunity to do so while remaining in the company.
What advice would you give to a student studying environmental science?
The advice I would give to an environmental science student who is looking for their first role is to make sure you stay true to what your passionate about. Aligning with a consultancy and a team that wants the same things as you will greatly enhance your career experience. Also, looking for a role that has a great graduate programme that fosters connection, growth, and collaboration with others will be invaluable. That was WSP for me.
6.45am
The first thing I do when I wake up is make a cup of green tea and read my book for a few minutes. Then, I quickly get ready and head off to the bus.
8.00am
When I get to the office, I start my day creating a to-do list. First on the list: working on a report investigating the likelihood of a land contamination on site that is having new school buildings constructed. This will be used to inform if further investigation and remedial action is required.
12.00pm
Today is a beautiful sunny day, so some of my team and I go and sit in the park down the street for lunch.
1.00pm
The sample bottles for tomorrows stormwater sampling have arrived at the office. One of my team members and I organise them into chilly bins and take them down to the storeroom where we organise the equipment and PPE we will need to take with us tomorrow. We then go over health and safety, and plan what sites we need to visit.
3.00pm
In the afternoon, I have a kick-off meeting for an exciting new project. I also do an Akoranga learning/training course. This one is on Future Ready. Future Ready is about identifying future trends relating to climate, society, technology, and resources, and how we should integrate those into our work to create informed, resilient, and adaptive outcomes.
5.00pm
After work, I head to the beach with my friends for a swim and to catch the sunset.
A DAY IN MY LIFE AS A
WSP GRAD
At WSP, each year we proudly recruit graduates across our 26 offices and 10 laboratories located throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
We are passionate about the work our graduates do, leading the way in designing a different future and reimagining how we plan, design, and build in
New Zealand.
To get a better understanding
of a day in the life of a WSP Graduate, we followed four of our new starters to gain insight into their experiences.
JADE
CROSS
MICHAEL
ALCANTARA
ALEX
WIERZBICKI
VANESSA
CHONG
