From marine enthusiast to engineering graduate – with recent grad Mitchell Crawford

Mitchell Crawford always thought he’d work in the marine industry.

A coastguard for six years, a passion for boating and a Bachelor of Applied Technology in marine, the writing was on the wall.

However, the onset of COVID-19 and a gentle push from a colleague to study engineering meant Mitchell went back to uni and trained as a civil engineer.

Now a recent graduate at Harrison Grierson in the Tauranga land development team, we caught up with Mitch to ask him about life as a new grad.

‘’I was working in Sydney on a scaffolding project handling QS and tenders after I’d finished my studies in marine.

COVID was rearing its ugly head, and I felt like it was the perfect time to go home to Auckland and study engineering,’’ said Mitchell, who had a team member recommend he study engineering after noticing Mitch’s love of physics and design.

‘’I was excited to study again because I really did enjoy engineering.

‘’It truly is a lifestyle because I feel like I’m doing what I love. It doesn’t feel like a job.’’

With just three weeks at HG under his belt, he’s already sunk his teeth into designing a stormwater basin for Tauriko West.

Moving from Auckland to Tauranga, Mitchell is still trying to find the best local surf beaches and spear fishing spots.

His advice to anyone thinking about studying engineering?

‘’If you like designing and figuring out how things work, then engineering is going to be perfect.

‘’Once you get into the workforce, there are a lot of ‘’management’’ things to navigate like keeping your diary and liaising with clients, but it’s all worth it.’’

Apply for the 2026 engineering graduate program

The 2026 graduate engineering program at HG is now open for applications. Applications close 15 April, apply now