My Stantec Story: Building a graduate career as a risk analyst with Duncan Maxwell
March 17, 2023
Duncan, a risk analyst within the Programme Management and Integrator Services group, pays the support he received forward to new grads
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In the My Stantec Story series, our designers, engineers, marketers, project managers, and leaders come together to share how their career journeys at Stantec have shaped their lives and moved them closer to their goals.
Tell us about your role…
I joined Stantec’s Glasgow office in February 2019 as a graduate risk analyst within the Programme Management and Integrator Services group. In this role, I’m accountable for running the risk management process for various projects, ranging from facilitating workshops to problem solving and quantitative assessments.
Having completed Stantec’s Graduates & Apprentices programme, I’m currently involved with two regional investment programmes as the lead risk manager.
What attracted you to a career at Stantec?
Whilst at university, I knew I wanted to be involved in delivering project and programmes, so I reached out to several companies while writing my dissertation to act as my interviewees. Stantec agreed, providing great access, and encouraged me to apply to an open position. I love the variety of the role, in terms of our people, our clients, and the huge variety of expertise we have in our company, in the United Kingdom as well as internationally, where there are options to get involved.
How would you describe the culture at Stantec?
At Stantec, I have been given room to grow with clear instruction on what areas they want me to focus on. This only works with the trust we build between ourselves, working closely together, and having ties with colleagues of all career levels willing to spend time with each other. I’ve loved getting involved as a grad and now work with our new grads as a first point of contact for any issues, repaying the time people spent with me when I first joined.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I love looking back at the work I’ve done and seeing the effect my team has had. Knowing the story behind the work gives me the motivation for the next commission and appreciation of how a small group can impact a major part of a community.
Knowing the story behind the work gives me the motivation for the next commission and appreciation of how a small group can impact a major part of a community.
How has your personal and professional development been supported at Stantec?
I joined Stantec out of university. During the two and a half years I was a graduate, Stantec organised twice yearly mini conferences where all the graduates and business leaders/subject matter experts would come together. Additional support came from the Developing Professionals Group (DPG), which met monthly, and a mentor from within my own team. I have since become a mentor to seven people where I have found myself passing on what I learned.
Stantec also encourages external development, including returning to my university course as a speaker, taking an active role in the Institute for Risk Management Scotland Development Group, and enrolling for further qualifications that are highly sought after in the industry.
What are your passions outside of work?
Outside of work I enjoy all sport, with weekly five a side football and hill climbing at the top of the list. Once a year, I go to Tiree, an island of the west coast of Scotland renowned for the best beaches in the United Kingdom, Atlantic waves, and plenty of opportunities for a BBQ.
What are your ambitions for your future at Stantec?
Stantec is growing across multiple sectors and regions, for me this is one of the big draws of to working at Stantec. I plan on working in more sectors and areas of the United Kingdom, aiming to involve myself in risk and programme management approaches I’ve not yet experienced. Working abroad is also an ambition of mine, as it provides the chance of travel and encountering new professional challenges.
Why should others join the Stantec team?
Others should join Stantec as we are a people-focused organisation with the scale to offer a variety of types of work and locations.
At Stantec, we put people first. For Duncan, that means sharing what he’s learned new grads. If you want to start your career at Stantec, visit Graduates & Apprentices to find out more.