Assistant Building Surveyor Review

I was exposed to the side of project management and design and not just the side of building surveying which i enjoyed.

They trusted me by enabling me to be speak to clients; i.e. undertaking inspections on my own.

My supervisor was away for a few weeks as it was summer at the time of my placement. When away, the rest of the team stepped up and offered me guidance if i asked for it. If i was unsure about any surveying knowledge, they would stretch the extra mile by passing on research of any relevance to me.

The first couple of weeks I found myself with not enough work to do. However, I know that they were trying to ease me in gently and so if anyone didnt have any work for me, I was sometimes asked to accompany a surveyor on site. The workload increased in the coming weeks and i sometimes found myself staying late some evenings. Overall, I found myself with a near-perfect balance with my workload.

I was asked to undertake a survey on my own; and also to arrange several surveys by ringing up clients. However, I would have liked to be given an independent mini-project over the 8 weeks (something to be getting on with in the meantime if no other work was given to me).

Everything that I learnt in lectures was put into practice over these past 8 weeks; I will go back to my third year with a whole new set of skills and gained knowledge of building surveying.

There was a lot of 'banter' in the office which made me feel more relaxed. Everyone was open and friendly.

On our first day, we received an introductory pack which contained all relevant information with regards to who key staff were in the comapany and information about the comapany in general. A lunch was set up in the bid to 'break the ice' with other interns and employees. C&W set up a summer programme with organised activities over the 8 weeks; including site visits to buildings within the City of London and also social activities such as a softball match - 'Grads v Interns' so that we could have a chance to interact with people on the graduate scheme. In our final week, we were given the chance to express our views in an exit Interview. Overall, I think that the placement was extremely organised.

I was given guidance If i struggled with any of the work. I feel that I would have liked to have undertaken a project on my own to help in my personal development.

I am awaiting my appraisal so therefore am unsure about my performance in the company. I have been told that there is an opportunity to join the graduate shceme next year.

The 'Interns' formed a strong friendship over the 8 weeks. We organised a lunch every friday where we would have our weekly catch-up. We would play softball every Wednesday and in our last week, we are arranging a meal and cinema trip together. I will definitely stay in contact with them after the placement and hope to see them on the graduate scheme in September 2012!

London is an expensive city, however we managed to find certain pubs/restaurants in the area (by reccommendation from fellow collegues) that offered 50% food/drinks before 8pm weekdays.

Central London is buzzing and you will always be able to find some event/party round the corner!

I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to attend the Formula 1 at Silverstone with work which was incredible. I attended the softball every Wednesday, which we played in Hyde Park. Additionally, there are numerous sports teams within Cushmans such as Netball, Rugby etc. Furthermore, there is a summer party in September to which all employees are invited to.