Assistant Commercial Manager Review

Apprehensive about starting my placement year, I really enjoyed my year with Mace. I was given a high level of responsibility from the first day, managing my own account, under supervision. Having the opportunity to be placed on a project on site, I was able to walk site, observe how processes happen and how problems are resolved, on a daily basis. An opportunity you could not gain through University studies. I was also fortunate enough to be placed on a project near the beginning, seeing the project develop from the strip out phase through to completion. Having this opportunity to gain an insight into a construction project from the beginning through to completion was both enjoyable and rewarding - an opportunity I never thought was possible in the mere 12 months I was with the company.

As a student with little/no experience in the construction industry, I was initially worried about being the 'tea maker' for the year, however, Mace's colleagues made me feel like one of the team. I was given a high level of responsibility when beginning the placement, which gradually increased as the year progressed. This level of responsibility made me feel like a valued team member, positively contributing to the team and project as a whole.

From day one I was given a high level of support and guidance from not only my line manager and project team, but also the wider business, including the HR and Emerging Talent team, and even manager's higher up in the business who I networked with both through work, and work events. This guidance included support through my day to day tasks and responsibilities, and future University work - i.e. contacts who would be happy to complete questionnaires for my dissertation data for my final year studies.

At the beginning of the placement, I was not as busy as I would have liked to have been, however, this was because my line manager was trying to gage both my knowledge and capability. As the placement year progressed, my responsibilities enhanced, and my daily tasks, likewise, increased. I believe that this process was successful, as too much responsibility and too many tasks to complete would have been overwhelming as an undergraduate new to the industry. The type and amount of tasks increased in difficulty as the placement progressed, successfully breaking me into the commercial role within the company.

As the placement year progressed, the amount of responsibility increased. Since first joining the company, I have been given a lot more responsibility than I expected, managing accounts, closing final accounts and commercially leading client meetings. Collectively, these tasks were each crucial for the project and the team, resulting in making me feel like a valued, trusted, and important member of the team, equal to those who had been in the industry for many years.

Since joining the company, my skills and attributes gained at university were minimal, not having experienced how to behave and communicate in a professional environment. I believe that I have developed numerous skills, including time management, where I have gained the confidence to prioritise tasks, and leadership skills, where my personal confidence has significantly developed. These skills will not only be transferrable to my final year of my course at University, but will no doubt support me throughout my future career.

Despite facing numerous problems on the project, the general atmosphere was great. We still kept positive and supported each other, both in the office and at social work events.

I gained the impression that the company was very well organised, right from my first interview. The HR and Emerging Talent team were quick with responses during the recruitment process, and kept in contact with myself and the other placement students throughout the year.

Aside from the day to day responsibilities and the support I gained with these throughout the year, Mace also offered both mandatory and optional training courses. These will help me with my University studies next year, as well as my future career.

Very! I hope to return to the company once I complete my degree next year.

Yes, I regularly met up with the placement students, and the project manager also regularly organised social events, which i believe boosted project morale and helped to settle me into the team.

Too expensive - More than half of my wages was spent of living costs in London.

Great! There is always something to do in London.

Yes, again, there is always something to do, and get involved in in London.