What Does it Take to Build a Successful Career in Infrastructure?

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Osborne’s Infrastructure business is growing rapidly. We have a healthy pipeline of secured projects, which means we’re recruiting for a wide range of roles at all levels. If the idea of helping to make our road and rail networks more accessible, resilient and reliable appeals, maybe it’s a good time to reflect on the personal qualities that will make you successful in the sector.

If you’re drawn to stories about sustainable transport, rail technology or making it easier for people and goods to flow around the world there’s every chance that you’ll find a natural home in infrastructure. It’s a demanding sector to work in – so being curious about road, rail and the technologies that will help shape the future is a great start.

A Great Organiser

Infrastructure is a sector where time is always critical. Project deadlines are tight and work often has to be completed within a fixed window when the road or rail line is closed. Because the project outcomes matter so much, late delivery is never acceptable.

This means you need to be highly organised and super-focused on the details. It’s not a work environment where things can be left to chance.

A Problem Solver

Some people, when they’re faced by something that they don’t understand or know how to do, shrug their shoulders and walk away. Others take on the challenge. If you enjoy solving problems and finding practical and safe solutions, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to do that in infrastructure.

A Team Player

Infrastructure projects involve multiple teams and stakeholders. So we like great communicators and sharers. The Osborne culture is based on collaboration and being mutually supportive. If the performance of the team and the project matters as much as your own contribution, you’ll feel right at home.

A Seeker

Transport infrastructure is an environment where things tend not to stand still – literally or figuratively. People who do well are inquisitive and obsessed with finding better ways to do things. That’s how we continually find better solutions that add value to our customers and improve the experience for millions of road and rail users.

If you’re reading this article and mentally ticking the boxes as you go, it’s probably time we had a talk.