For Lucknow-born Aditya Verma, engineering was never merely a degree. It became the foundation on which he learned leadership, project management, discipline and, eventually, resilience.
Over the past decade, his journey has taken him from infrastructure projects in Uttar Pradesh to postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, and from construction sites to managing teams at one of Britain’s largest retailers. Yet, through every transition, his commitment to construction and engineering has remained intact.
Today, as he continues to build his career in the United Kingdom, Aditya’s journey reflects adaptability, continuous learning and the ability to lead under changing circumstances. Combining nearly six years of infrastructure experience with international academic exposure and operational leadership, he remains focused on contributing to sustainable and digitally integrated construction projects.
Early years and the beginning of a civil engineering career
Born and raised in Lucknow, Aditya grew up in a family where government service commanded enormous respect. Surrounded by relatives who had excelled in public service, academia and administration, he naturally gravitated towards civil engineering and completed his B.Tech from Babu Banarasi Das University.
He joined Uttar Pradesh Rajya Nirman Sahkari Sangh Ltd. as an Assistant Engineer on a contractual basis, beginning what would become nearly six years of hands-on experience in infrastructure development.
Like many young engineers in India, he simultaneously prepared for competitive examinations while pursuing professional opportunities. However, after several attempts and witnessing limited growth prospects around him, he decided to chart his own course.
“I’m not that brilliant. I’m just a hard worker,” he tells The Global Indian with characteristic honesty while reflecting on how, despite his efforts, he could not secure a government position.
Building leadership through six years of infrastructure work
Between 2018 and 2023, Aditya worked on public infrastructure projects worth over ₹50 crore, including road construction and flood-protection works.
He supervised more than 40 workers and contractors, coordinated with government departments and ensured projects adhered to quality and safety standards.
One of the assignments closest to him was the execution of a 12-kilometre bituminous road project in Sitapur, which was completed ten days ahead of schedule in accordance with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways standards. Another significant project involved flood-protection works along the River Saryu in Barabanki, where embankment reinforcement and erosion-control measures helped improve flood resilience.
The experience exposed him to every aspect of construction management, from scheduling and reporting to stakeholder coordination and site supervision. He also streamlined project reporting and scheduling processes, contributing to a 10 per cent reduction in delays and achieving cost optimisation.
Even when a partial slip-disc injury forced doctors to recommend six months of bed rest, he remained professionally engaged. Those years helped him develop the managerial skills that would later prove useful far beyond engineering.
Pursuing higher studies in construction management in the UK
After spending almost six years in the construction sector, Aditya felt the need to deepen his technical knowledge and gain international exposure.
He chose to pursue an MSc in Construction Science and Management at the University of Lincoln. The programme strengthened his understanding of BIM-enabled design coordination, sustainable construction practices and digital tools such as Revit, Navisworks, Rhino and OneClick LCA.
The decision, however, came with considerable uncertainty. Having spent nearly three decades living close to his family, moving alone to another country was a giant leap. “I had never stayed away from my parents before. Then suddenly I went from Lucknow to Lincoln carrying two huge bags and figuring everything out on my own,” he says.
The move required him to invest almost all his savings. Despite resistance from some family members to pursuing education abroad, he remained convinced that the experience would broaden his horizons. His mother offered advice that stayed with him. “It’s your life. Do whatever you want, but don’t regret your choices because you’re making them.”
Adjusting to student life and new challenges in Britain
The early months in Britain tested him physically and emotionally .Finding accommodation, adjusting to a different climate, managing finances and living independently for the first time proved challenging.
“There were days when I wanted to come back,” he admits. For someone who had never cooked before, daily life itself became an education. “I only knew how to make Maggi and toast. I was a microwave generation person. I had to call my mother and ask how to cook vegetables without cutting my fingers.”
Maintaining his vegetarian lifestyle also required additional effort. Meanwhile, he balanced academic responsibilities with the need to support himself financially. His first few jobs did not last long. Some experiences were difficult and humbling.
From student jobs to management responsibilities
Eventually, Aditya secured a position as an Online Assistant with Sainsbury’s while pursuing his master’s degree. The schedule was demanding. He would wake up around 2 a.m., walk nearly an hour in the freezing weather to begin work at 4 a.m., complete his shift and then attend university classes.
His daily routine often involved more than 12 kilometres of walking. “Just one more day, just one more day—that’s what I kept telling myself,” he says. Those months transformed him. “As a person, I think I have grown so much that I couldn’t have imagined it three or four years ago.”
After graduation, he progressed internally and eventually became a Customer and Trading Manager.
Leadership beyond engineering
Although his current role lies outside construction, many of the capabilities he developed as an engineer continue to shape his work.
Today, he oversees store operations, manages teams, ensures compliance and handles critical decision-making during shifts. “I am in charge of the whole store during my shift. Everything comes under me,” he says. The transition has strengthened his understanding of operational excellence, health and safety protocols, stakeholder communication and team leadership, all areas that closely intersect with project management within engineering.
At the same time, he continues to invest in his technical development through certifications in BIM, Revit, Lean Construction, Construction Management and sustainable building practices. His master’s research focused on sustainable construction and material optimisation, reflecting his long-term commitment to the field.
Staying committed to a future in construction and engineering
Aditya acknowledges that visa regulations, licensing requirements and sponsorship challenges have delayed his return to the construction sector in Britain. Yet he remains committed to achieving that goal.
“I still consider myself a struggler, but I have come a big step from where I started,” he says. Having recently secured his UK driving licence and continuing to pursue site-related certifications. His biggest lesson from life is remarkably simple. “Stop thinking too much about what you’re going to achieve. Life sometimes has something more incredible than you can imagine. But in exchange, you have to work hard.”
For Aditya, success is no longer defined by following a predetermined path. Instead, it lies in embracing change, continuing to learn and staying prepared for opportunities whenever they arrive. And perhaps that mindset, more than anything else, reflects the qualities of a modern engineer—someone capable not only of building structures, but also of rebuilding himself when circumstances demand it.
- Follow Aditya Verma on LinkedIn