WFH Profile: Caitlin Braysford

Remote working is certainly an interesting concept when operating within the rail industry. In our series of Working From Home (WFH) Profiles, our YRP members describe how they are embracing this concept and adapting their collaborative methods to ensure that they deliver to their respective roles. This week, our WFH Profile has been submitted by Caitlin Braysford.

Caitlin Braysford - Graduate Safety Engineer – Atkins. London – YRP Member

When I started back in September 2019, I was definitely not expecting to work from home 6 months in. Fortunately, with the job I am in and the flexible working culture at Atkins, I can continue to learn at a crucial stage in my career. It also really helps that the team I work with are supportive of each other; we have calls during the week where we get to chat about our thoughts on the week and how our weekends have been – even though we haven’t been able to really go anywhere.

I realise especially now how adaptable, and easily, projects at certain stages can be done remotely. During this period I have been working on the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme (CARS), updating the hazard record, working with the designers and developing the infrastructure access strategy amongst other things. As CARS involves a large number of people based in different locations there has been no major change since moving to the new working arrangement. I am well-practised with getting in touch with people in other locations and using our online digital capacity and tools to deliver together.

One thing I am finding challenging is not having to commute to work every day. I actually miss the routine of waking up as early as I did, walking to the train station and having some time to read the news or a book before starting work – I’ve adapted this routine into: running before work, having a cup of coffee and keeping reading as part of my routine. I do miss people, the small talk and meeting up with people in the kitchen for lunch.

On the other hand, whilst I don’t have to commute, I save two hours a day on travel which I either dedicate to more sleep, to learning something new or to reading – it depends how I’m feeling. It’s also allowed me to focus more on assignments for my MSc in Professional Engineering with The University of Derby Online Learning. This course is helping me progress towards Chartered Engineer status with the IMechE – it is spread over three years and it guides you to tie work projects (enabled by working with Atkins) to competences within the UK Spec to achieve chartership with your institution.

I am excited to be able to head back into the office, when safe to do so, as I do learn a lot from spontaneous conversations I have with other people in the company who share the same office space. I have of course taken advantage of some of YRP’s recent webinars too!