Graduate Consultant Programme
Begin your career working on the complex challenges shaping transport, energy and places.
From your first week, you’ll contribute to projects that connect people, places and economies – helping clients navigate uncertainty and deliver solutions that make a measurable difference. Build the skills, experience and confidence to shape your career in a global infrastructure and transport consultancy.
Make an impact from day one
At Steer, we believe that fresh perspectives are essential to how we think, work and grow. That’s why our Consultant Programme is designed to help you build your skills, gain exposure to meaningful work and explore the career path that’s right for you.
You'll work on projects that influence how transport systems operate, how infrastructure is funded and delivered, and how places evolve. Throughout the programme, you’ll develop the skills gained during your studies and broaden your experience across different sectors and disciplines. Whatever direction your interests take you, you’ll be supported to grow in capability and confidence.
Our teams work on complex, high-profile projects across infrastructure, transport and energy. We combine deep industry knowledge with rigorous analysis and innovative thinking to deliver solutions that make a measurable difference – and you’ll be part of that from the start.
What you can expect from your Consultant Programme
Your first 18 months combine structured development with hands-on project work.
This builds strong foundations for your career.
Real responsibility from day one
Contribute to live global projects from your first week, taking on real responsibility and seeing the impact of your work early on.
Structured development
Build industry knowledge and develop core consultancy, technical and project management skills through a structured development programme.
Engaging onboarding
Take part in onboarding activities, connect with your cohort, explore your development goals, and settle into life at Steer.
Mentorship opportunities
Receive guidance from experienced colleagues committed to helping you develop and refine your skills.
Supportive buddy system
Be supported by a buddy – a previous graduate who will help you navigate your role and settle into life at Steer.
Why choose Steer
Discover what makes Steer a rewarding place to begin your career.
- Make an impact from day one: contribute to global projects where you’ll take on real responsibility and see the difference you make right from the start.
- Develop technical depth: build strong analytical, consultancy and project management capability through structured learning and practical experience.
- Work collaboratively: join multidisciplinary teams where colleagues support your development and value diverse perspectives.
- Understand the commercial landscape: gain the insight and confidence to navigate your career within consultancy.
- Broaden your experience: develop a well-rounded understanding of our work through planned rotations across teams, sectors and projects.
- Contribute beyond projects: take part in initiatives such as our Research & Innovation activity and community volunteering.
- Shape your future: build your career path with clear support, guidance and development opportunities.
Graduate applications now closed
Applications for the Steer Consultant Programme are now closed.
The programme opens annually. Please visit our Careers page for updates and other opportunities.
Have questions about our Graduate Consultant Programme?
Find answers to common questions about applying, development and working at Steer.
Programme & applications
We look for strong analytical and problem-solving ability as well as academic achievement. We ask for a minimum 2:1 degree (or equivalent). All subjects are considered, though degrees with a quantitative or social science research element are often well aligned to our work.
The Graduate Consultant Programme opens annually. Application dates will be published on this page.
The process has three stages:
Stage one: Complete our online application and CV submission, followed by three short online assessments. We aim to inform candidates within two weeks of the closing date if their application is not progressing.
Stage two: Submit a 500-word essay in response to one of several scenarios. This helps us understand how you approach real-world challenges and communicate your thinking. We ask candidates to complete this independently without generative AI tools.
Stage three: Attend an in-person assessment centre, including a structured interview, group exercise and individual exercise. You’ll also meet current and former graduates.
Yes. We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds and graduation dates, provided you have a strong academic record and the skills required for consultancy.
We offer a limited number of student placements, typically aimed at students completing a sandwich year or an internship as part of their degree. Opportunities vary year to year. Please check our Careers page for current vacancies.
Life at Steer
We work in collaborative, multidisciplinary teams and value rigorous thinking and diverse perspectives. Alongside project work, colleagues build strong professional relationships and often lasting friendships across offices and teams.
There are regular opportunities to connect through social activities, professional networks and volunteering initiatives, helping you feel part of the business from early on.
Employee ownership means our people have a direct stake in the company’s success. Rewards are shared, and our mission and principles shape how we work and make decisions. It ensures everyone has a voice in Steer’s future.
We offer a competitive benefits package tailored to each market and geography. Full details are provided during the interview process.
Development & Career
In your first week, you’ll join your cohort to build early connections and understand how we work. You’ll meet your buddy, Personal Supervisor and project teams, and take part in introductory technical and consultancy training sessions.
The induction is designed to help you settle in quickly, understand how our projects operate and feel confident starting your first assignments.
You will join our structured Consultant Programme, combining on-the-job project experience with formal training. This includes technical workshops, consultancy skills development and access to digital learning platforms. You will also receive regular feedback and guidance from your Personal Supervisor.
You will complete three rotations across different teams, based on business needs and your interests. This allows you to work on live projects, learn from different colleagues and develop a broad understanding of our consultancy.
Graduates may progress to Consultant grade after completing the 18-month programme, subject to meeting the expected standard. Beyond this, progression is based on readiness, impact and contribution, with increasing responsibility for project delivery and business development over time.
