News & Views

Last month, Divyesh, Jess and Matt celebrated a significant milestone—their first anniversary with ITP! This occasion provided a perfect opportunity for them to reflect on their journey over the past year. This Q+A delves into their personal and professional growth, memorable experiences, and discusses the challenges they have overcome. They highlight the projects they found most rewarding and the skills they developed along the way. Their reflections offer a unique glimpse into the dynamic field of transport planning and underscore the supportive and collaborative environment at ITP.

What has been the most rewarding experience for you while working with the international team?

One of the most rewarding experiences has been working on the ADB E-mobility project, as I have been involved from start to finish. This provided me with firsthand experience of how an international project unfolds. Through this project, I gained extensive knowledge about e-mobility and the various dimensions associated with it. Additionally, since the project focused on the entire Asia-Pacific region rather than a single country, I developed a deeper understanding of diverse countries and their unique transport challenges and opportunities.

What aspects of international work do you find most fulfilling and why?

What I find most fulfilling is the opportunity to explore different geographies and learn about the transport systems in various countries—from Marshrutkas in Tajikistan to Jeepneys in the Philippines. I also deeply appreciate the chance to travel, engage with new cultures, and gain on-the-ground insights while working on international projects.

Can you share an example of a challenging international project and how you overcame the obstacles?

What key piece of advice would you offer to someone starting at ITP, particularly someone starting in the international sector?

Focus on being adaptable and curious. Working at ITP, especially in the international sector, means tackling diverse challenges and projects, so staying open to learning and flexible in your approach is crucial. Building strong relationships with your team and clients will also help you thrive. In terms of an international environment, be be prepared for a dynamic and fast-paced setting where no two days are the same. You need to adapt to working across different time zones—sometimes, this may mean delivering a webinar at 6 a.m.! And, most importantly, stay curious and open-minded as international work provides a unique opportunity to learn from diverse cultures, systems, and perspectives.

How do the required skills differ across various international projects you’ve worked on?

The skills required for international projects vary depending on the nature of the work. Some core skills, such as report writing and data analysis, are commonly needed across most projects. However, specific projects may demand additional expertise. For instance, I’ve worked on projects requiring the application of specialised models, such as the E-bus model, while others have involved extensive use of GIS tools. The ADB project, in contrast, leaned heavily on research and client/project coordination. Adaptability is key, as the skills needed often evolve with the project.

Are there any interesting/emerging trends in your international work that you have noticed?

One emerging trend is the growing focus on e-mobility. Climate change is a pressing global challenge, and while e-mobility is not a silver bullet, it is undoubtedly a key piece of the solution. This shift underscores the increasing integration of sustainability considerations into transport systems worldwide.

What has been the most significant challenge you’ve faced in your first year?

I have faced a few challenges since starting at ITP. Two significant challenges have been switching sectors and acquiring new skills. The SUNRISE scheme offers the valuable opportunity to experience different practices, understand various team dynamics, and engage in diverse projects by switching practices. However, this was initially difficult for me as I had grown comfortable in the Influencing Behaviour team where I knew everyone well and understood my role. Transitioning to the Policy and Strategy team felt like starting a completely new job. Although I was familiar with the people, I had to learn their working styles and adapt to entirely different types of projects. The second challenge has been learning new skills. Being eager to advance my technical abilities has been both exciting and intimidating. Facing a blank GIS map or an InDesign file was daunting at first, but now that I have mastered the basics, I am enthusiastic about continuing to improve and expand my skill set.

What advice would you give to someone beginning a career in transport planning?

Transport planning is much more than you think and there are so many different opportunities so don’t be afraid to take on challenging projects. They can be the most rewarding and allow you the chance to gain new skills. It is important to be open about what you want to learn. Sharing your interests and taking ownership of your career development where possible is so important so if you have a passion, make sure you follow it. Also, do not be afraid to ask questions. No question is a stupid question! There is no point sitting in silence and struggling as you will never progress any further. So, make sure you always get the support you need from anyone around you.

Which project has been your favourite to work on so far, and what made it stand out?

One of my most rewarding projects was supporting Leicestershire County Council (LCC) with their Blue Badge appeals. My role involved understanding expert guidance on the impacts of digital application processes on various disabled groups and then assisting LCC in the assessment of complex applications. This meant assessing all the information available in the appeals process and notifying applicants of the outcome of their applications. It was incredibly fulfilling to know that by approving appeals and giving people access to a blue badge was actively making their lives easier by helping them secure the support they needed. In turn, knowing I had helped enable them to travel without stress or worry about being too far from their car, significantly enhancing their mobility and independence making their lives more accessible.

Do you have a clear vision of the types of projects you are most passionate about?

How have you managed the transition from university theory to practical application in your role?

Transitioning to my first professional job at ITP was easier than I anticipated, possibly because I didn’t join straight from university. Between university and ITP, I worked part-time shifts at a shop in my village. However, moving from part-time, where I worked two or three days a week, to a full-time 9-5 schedule was a considerable change. Starting a new role always comes with its own unique set of challenges so I was initially unsure of what to expect. However, I quickly found the work to be incredibly fulfilling and productive and have since progressed leaps and bounds, with the role exceeding all my expectations. Once I settled into a routine and gained a clearer understanding of my responsibilities, it became much easier. It’s nice to have structure in my work life now.

Can you share a favourite memory from your first year at ITP/RHDHV?

My favourite memory is probably the first office Christmas party. It was a great way to wrap up the year and my first big office social event. It was just a lot of fun to see everyone relaxed and enjoying themselves.

The best project memory was hearing the ZEBRA2 bids had been successful. This was the project I spent the most time on during my first few months at the company when still settling in. Five of the bids written by ITP, including three of the ones I worked on, were successful in securing funding on behalf of our clients. It was exciting to find out they had been successful as this was something all of us involved had worked incredibly hard on.

What are the key benefits of participating in ITP/RHDHV’s graduate training scheme?

The graduate training scheme offers a number of benefits to new starters at the company. It’s split between SUNRISE, which is specific to ITP employees, and Basecamp which involves all UK grads at RHDHV. The scheme gives you a chance to meet new starters from the different offices and widen the network of people you know, which can be useful going forward in your employment with the company. It also provides the opportunity to develop your presentation and communication skills in a safe environment, so you’ll feel more prepared when presenting to clients.

How do the Basecamp series and SUNRISE initiatives work in tandem?

The Basecamp and SUNRISE initiatives complement each other well due to their distinct focuses. The SUNRISE scheme, being exclusive to ITP, is ideal for discussing specific aspects of our work, such as feedback on webinars and trainings, and presentations on project involvement. On the other hand, Basecamp offers broader training that isn’t limited to transport planning, helping us develop as well-rounded consultants. Together, these two schemes form a comprehensive development programme.

What new skills have you acquired since starting the graduate programme?

What advice would you offer to someone starting a graduate programme at ITP/RHDHV?

Be proactive! The graduate programme provides a space for new starters at the company to meet each other and feedback on their experiences, as well as getting dedicated training to improve your consultancy skills. If there’s an area of particular interest to you which could be improved through training or more experience, the best thing you can do is ask. There’s a wide range of experts within the company, specialising in anything from behaviour change and public transport to GIS and modeling, who will be able to provide you with training and in-project experience to boost your skills. But to make this happen, make sure managers know this is something you want to do. A proactive approach is the best way to make the most of the people around you.

How has the graduate training programme shaped your career goals?

The SUNRISE scheme has allowed me to experience the different practices which ITP specialise in. Since joining I have spent time as part of the Public Transport and Influencing Behaviour practices and I’m about to start my third placement in Economic and Financial Appraisal within the broader Strategic Transport Planning Team. Getting the chance to work in a variety of areas as part of the graduate scheme has helped begin shaping my career goals as I get to experience the full range of what ITP does, allowing me to explore different aspects and discover what sort of work I’m most interested in, which I can begin to focus on as I progress at the company.