Assistant Surveyor

Faith Alori

Property Development

Placement (10 Months+)

Cushman & Wakefield

What made you apply to Cushman & Wakefield?

I had previously considered a career in property in my early school years, however my interest in surveying specifically grew following a presentation by Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) at Lambeth College. A position at C&W offered an irresistible opportunity to work at the largest privately owned real estate company and experience the diversity of the fields and services provided by the firm through the rotational programme. In addition to the vast level of support provided I was keen to apply!

Describe a normal day in the office.

I have just completed my first 10 months in our Corporate Occupier and Investor Services, Account Management department. In that role a normal day would consist of regular contact and correspondence with tenants (customers) in dealing with specific issues, attending meetings, site visits and inspections, report letter writing, and liaising with contractors and other members of the team in working on a project. I have recently rotated to the Asset Management department and I am really enjoying it!

How did Cushman & Wakefield prepare you for your placement/internship?

On our induction I learnt valuable skills such as business etiquette and networking. I understood what was expected working within a business environment. During the placement I received training for skills that will enable me to do my job better. For example, I received systems training like Agresso, Yardi, and lease database systems. I also received training in other areas, such as through mentoring and regularly attending various professional seminars to expand my knowledge. This enabled me to develop professionally.

What advice would you give to someone planning their placement/internship?

If you are looking for an internship you should research the company and their undergraduate programmes before applying so that your application stands out from other applications. If you secure a place on an internship, you should display the following attributes: willingness and enthusiasm to learn; willingness to take on new challenges and adapt to change; team work and people skills so that you can network and build connections. These are all key skills in order to succeed!

What were the highlights of your job?

The highlight from my placement was working on the portfolio accounts of two of the company’s biggest clients. It was daunting but it was a great experience.I especially enjoyed working as part of a team and getting involved in different activities and challenges regularly. The tasks were diverse as were the roles I was involved in, and I enjoyed being able to visit sites and attend inspections every once in a while.