Ben Bryant
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Bouygues Travaux Publics
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
2 years as a geotechnical engineer. 2.5 years as a tunnel shift engineer at Hinkley Point C on shotcrete and TBMs. 3 years as a tunnel engineer on HS2. Started as a shift engineer, then moved into management of one of the TBMs, now in charge of all tunnel finishing works.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
Tunnelling and mining is in my family, it was my grandads whole career, this got me interested in it. I have always liked heavy machinery and construction, and I wanted a career that would let me be involved with this but from an engineering and management perspective. It also enables global travel should I wish, tunnelling projects are always available. I most enjoy the problem solving and technical aspects of it, it means I can go from quickly finding a solution to a problem, to in depth study and planning of tasks and processes to try and optimise production. Some of the people you get to work with are world class and great craic, from them you learn things that can never be taught at school or university.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I was a member of FSKC throughout uni, a club mostly made up of CSM students at the time, many of which I am still good friends with. I also went to most of the CSM socials and events.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
The enthusiasm of lecturers and the field work. My biggest highlight was my mapping project on the Isle of Rhum, type 2 fun to be sure but it was an amazing experience.
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
The camaraderie of CSM, the proximity to the beach, and the smaller nature of the uni.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
I chose to study at Cambourne School of Mines, I would have even if it wasn’t part of Exeter. It is a world renowned school and the only place in the UK to provide the education that I wanted. It is also located in my favourite part of the country and filled with people I knew would be of a similar mindset to me.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
People skills and communication, my job involves a lot of getting people to work. Technical thinking and problem solving. The first few weeks in tunnelling which quickly showed me that I did not know anywhere near as much as I thought I did!
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Network! I have got every job in tunnelling through people I know not by applying. You need to be willing to put in the hours, expect to work 12 hour shift on days and nights in the beginning. Always say yes to opportunities presented, but don’t be afraid to ask for guidance. Do not go into your career thinking you know it all, the one down side of CSM when I was there is that it gave you a feeling that you are the best (you are in terms of education and graduate experience, you know nothing compared to a miner with 40 years experience!)
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to stay with my current company for the next project. After that I will see what happens, I am hoping for Cornish mining to have the resurgence it deserves and I will then get involved with that.
