Student Journeys

My journey in 2009 when I heard about the company’s bursary scheme through friends and fellow varsity classmates. I decided to go for it and completed the easy online application process.

A few weeks later, I received correspondence from Murray & Roberts – I had been shortlisted for Phase two of the selection process. This phase was a one-day programme, that began with a full range of psychometric assessments (spanning from the acquisition of an individual’s knowledge in mathematical techniques right through to general life skills) and ended with an informal interview with Zazél Sale. The interview involved general questions to get an idea of our personalities.

A month passed and I was excited to see an email from Murray & Roberts. The big news? I had successfully completed Phase two of the selection process and was eligible to take part in Phase three (final stage of the selection process).

When the big day (Phase three) came, I arrived at the Head Office in my best suit to impress. Phase three consisted of a formal interview with a panel of managers from the Group. At this stage, I had felt like a part of Murray & Roberts team through my regular interaction with the company. The pressure was on to impress. My preparations for the interview involved research about the company and my role. This helped to gain better understanding about my possible career path within the

I’ll never forget the day I received the life-changing call from Murray & Roberts, 22 October 2009, the day I also celebrate my birthday. The call I had been waiting for delivered the message I had been hoping for. I had successfully completed the selection process. In January 2010, I would officially be a member of the Murray & Roberts family. The rest, as they say, is history.

SThe Bursary Programme consisted of regular vacation work ensuring that I complete the six-month experiential training. This was essential for my qualification. The on-site experience was invaluable. It provided me with a practical overview of what my career would look like as a qualified graduate. I also gained an understanding of what would be expected of me by my colleagues and seniors. In fact, the relationships I built/ created during my time as a student continue to make my work much easier to embrace.

The thought of starting a career is pretty scary. The thought of starting that career at one of the biggest organisations in the country is nothing short of terrifying. When it finally dawned on me that my time at varsity was over and it was time to ‘swim with the big boys’ I was understandably nervous, filled with equal parts joy and fear.

The first few weeks of 2013 as a graduate were spent at the Head Office where graduates partook in the graduate orientation month. This involved meeting fellow graduates from other companies within the Group. At orientation we discussed employment contracts, medical aid, financial literacy and pension funds. During orientation we also had the privilege to meet the ‘Big Guys’ (Murray & Roberts Limited Board) who explained their respective duties and gave advice where necessary). We also had the opportunity to go to project site visits within the Gauteng Province. Personally this provided me with invaluable insight into different areas within Murray & Roberts Group. In a nutshell, the orientation month insured a smooth transition from student to young professional.

The 102 Rivonia Road project (Ernest & Young Headquarters) in Sandton was myfourth project I worked on, but also the first project I worked on through to its closure and final account settlement. I have enjoyed exploring Johannesburg’s Maboneng Precinct through the ABSA Towers project, the Melrose Arch precinct through the Melrose Oak Apartment Block project and the Fourways area through my active involvement in the Evergreen Broadacres Retirement Village project.

Working on The 102 Rivonia Road project definitely takes the cake. The complexity of the building and the tight construction schedule has really demanded great strength and support. Strength comes from within and support from the individuals you surround yourself with in the organisation. I’ve found that support is an integral part of the company’s values though their structured Quantity Survey (QS) Developmental Plan as well as monthly QS forum meetings.

Care, Respect, Integrity, Accountability and Commitment are values so embedded into the Murray & Roberts culture that they have been at the forefront of all my experiences in the Graduate Programme. As an individual, you are challenged to think differently with the view to change and improve construction in terms of how it’s managed. At the same time you get to enjoy great friendships with amazing graduates who come from diverse backgrounds. My journey with Murray & Roberts family has changed my views, eliminated all my previous fears and equipped me for an exciting future.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

A couple of years ago I worked at the Driefontein Sewerage Plant Extension. I knew, standing on that construction site, that this was the career path that I wanted to follow. The first step on my chosen career path was the Murray & Roberts Bursary Programme. I applied in May 2012 and was awarded my bursary in August of the same year, having undergone psychometric testing and completed the interview process.

The programme has benefited me immensely by giving me exposure to experiences, which I otherwise would not have had. During recent projects site visits and assessments, I have seen these experiences evolve into competency and confidence., Thus enabling me to better conduct myself and giving me a huge advantage over my peers. Not only has the programme given me a head-start professionally, it has given me the support that I require as a student, both through the ever-present ‘family’ support system and various social media channels that keep us connected to the company and up to date with what’s happening in the industry.

I have worked on the Driefontein Sewerage Treatment Plant Extension (June 2012) and at the City Deep site in Johannesburg (June & December 2013).

The exposure to what I will one day be doing as a civil engineer . I feel so honoured to have such an amazing company behind me, supporting me through my journey.

The programme has put me on another playing field in comparison to my peers. The support I have received from the company as a student has been such a gift. In short, I don’t need to worry about my future because I feel secure in the knowledge that I am in great hands.

#Murray&Roberts is the best decision someone could make for himself or herself. It changed my life, it will change yours #thefutureisbright

In July 2008, during my first year of study, I heard about the Murray & Roberts Bursary Programme and decided to submit my online application. That September I received a call – they wanted to interview me.

As nervous as I was, I was composed as I faced the panel of three interviewers and being able to keep my nerves at bay paid off. In November 2008 I received the life changing call – my contractual agreement was ready and all that was needed to secure my bursary was my signature. And so my journey with Murray & Roberts Construction, under the Buildings division, began.

The label of ‘bursar’ drove me to do the absolute best that I could throughout my studies. I aimed higher for myself than most varsity students and with the support of other bursars, and the company, I managed to achieve the title of Best Overall BTech Construction Management Student in my year, 2012.
,br> I knew little about the industry when I started this journey but as my knowledge of it grew, so did my passion for it. The Bursary Programme is a phenomenal vehicle for learning and growth, offering students project site trips, opportunities to serve as a brand ambassador, vacation work and bursar camps.

Most of all, having some form of a job security enabled me to look ahead and envision where I’d like my career path to take me so that I could confidently make the choice between majoring in Construction Management or Quantity Surveying.

I have worked on four Murray & Roberts projects; SANRAL, Medupi Power Station and GCIS in the past and 102 Rivonia Road, Sandton, at present. As I am based in Gauteng, the part of South Africa that Murray & Roberts has taken me to explore is Limpopo where I worked on the Medupi Power Station project during vacation work. This ‘exploration’ formed part of my experiential training while I was still in varsity.

The highlight of my journey was the day that I realised that I had been chosen to be a permanent employee of a leading company in South Africa’s construction industry. In short, a dream not only became a possibility, it became a reality. I am proud to be living my dream as a Murray & Roberts Site Engineer and excited by the promise of a new dream – that of someday becoming a Contracts Director.

As many can relate to my story, being raised by a single parent meant having to face the reality that I would have to resort to applying for financial aid such as NSFAS, of which I may not have been granted and if I had been eligible then I would later have to pay off the debt. This is not ideal, which is why being awarded the bursary changed my life more than I could have ever expected.

My M&R experience has proven to be a great testimony. An opportunity was presented to me and every step since has been graceful.

I was interviewed by Murray & Roberts, for the Bursary Programme, at the University of Stellenbosch in 2010. Having met the requirements by the end of that year, I was awarded a bursary and spent the following two years acquiring the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience to secure a position with Murray & Roberts in 2014 as an Intern Engineer.

As a bursary student, I was continually inspired to achieve more as I learnt about the company. I was given the platform to gain experience in site operations and construction procedures while engaging with my fellow bursary students, office staff and project teams who I could potentially work with in the future.

As a student I had the opportunity of working on the Sunday River Bridge Project in Colchester where a new bridge was constructed. During this project I worked in the precast yard, laboratory and on the new bridge. I also worked on the Rehabilitation of the National route 2 Project. During this project the office was established in Jeffrey’s bay.

The highlight of my journey was definitely visiting the Portside Towers in Cape Town during the construction phase. This state of the art building is currently the tallest in Cape Town.

From representing the company at my University as a Brand Ambassador in 2012 to visiting Cape Town’s tallest building – a career with this industry-leader is a path like no other.

#InspireToBecomeBetter#DoMore#TeamWork#SuccessfulProjects#SuccessfulCareer

I’ve always had the desire to be a part of an industry-leading, world-class company. The Murray & Roberts Bursary Programme provided the ideal opportunity. On hearing about the programme, I got online, and filled out the application in less than 30 minutes. To my excitement, I received an email a few weeks later informing me that I had made it through to the selection process.

The multi-stage selection process is designed to enable candidates to gain a better understanding of their personalities. I learnt a great deal about myself through this process, which I found not only interesting and exciting but a valuable precursor to the main event –being awarded a bursary with the Buildings division of Murray & Roberts Construction in 2013.

Since receiving my bursary, I have had the privilege of working with the team at 102 Rivonia Road in Sandton. A massive undertaking, within a short timeframe, this project not only kept me busy but served as a wake up call. This is a demanding industry, characterised by challenges as it is by excitement. It calls for personalities that aren’t afraid of hard work and are prepared to navigate the long hours to achieve the world-class end product that Murray & Roberts has built its reputation on.

I have two highlights; the first is the day I received the email informing me that I had been accepted into the bursary programme; and the second is the vacation work experience at 102 Rivonia Road in Sandton – at that point, the biggest construction job I had ever been involved in. Learning in class is one thing, but I speak from experience when I say that learning on-site is eye opening.

The programme has helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses. It has given me confidence in my strengths and the tools to overcome weaknesses. My Murray & Roberts journey has not only changed my life in so many ways.

I look forward to making my mark on the industry thanks to the investment Murray & Roberts has made in me to develop my skills.