Marcus Sellars

My interest in transport began during my undergraduate degree in Urban Planning, where I came to see it as both a key economic enabler and a critical component in shaping sustainable, connected communities. When this internship opportunity arose, it felt like the perfect chance to apply my knowledge and skills in a real-world setting within a region I care about and want to see thrive. 

From the outset, I aimed to make the most of the experience by supporting as many members of the Transport Team as possible. This gave me valuable exposure to different areas of work, while the team’s welcoming and flexible approach allowed me to tailor the internship to my interests. I even started earlier than planned due to a prior commitment in my original first week, something the team fully supported. While I mostly chose to work in the office to gain the richest experience, the flexibility to work remotely when needed was helpful. 

One of the key projects I worked on involved active travel schemes undergoing public consultation. Contributing to live projects alongside the wider team was especially rewarding. I also developed a strong interest in future mobility and innovative transport solutions, attending stakeholder meetings with suppliers, specialists, and engineers. A highlight was taking part in a two-day kick-off event with Aurrigo, where we planned trials for autonomous cargo carriers and shuttles at the airport, a first for the aviation industry and later announced as major news. 

The role wasn’t limited to desk work. Most weeks I attended site visits, assisted at public consultation events, or joined guided tours, including one of Teesworks. These opportunities deepened my understanding of project delivery, letting me see how people from a wide range of disciplines work together toward shared goals, and giving me insight into project management in practice. 

This was my first experience in a professional office environment, and it helped me build confidence in managing my time, meeting deadlines, and communicating effectively, both within the team and with wider stakeholders. It also gave me the chance to apply the knowledge I’ve developed during my studies in a meaningful way. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Everyone was genuinely supportive and made an effort to align my work with my interests, which made a huge difference. I’d highly recommend the experience to anyone passionate about their local area and eager to spend their summer doing something impactful.