Project Managment (Consultancy - Private Sector) Review

I enjoyed my time at Mace, as I was able to get an insight into project management. My main aim of the internship was to confirm if project management is for me, and through this placement I can say this is a path I would like to go down in the future.

Very much so, I was regularly praised for any good work I did, and felt part of the team straight away. Everyone made me feel welcome and I felt I was making a difference. Most good work was recognized which not only felt good but boosted my confidence along the way.

Management were very supportive, they actively encouraged me to attend in house training sessions, which I did. Additionally, I was able to ask questions whenever no matter how small or irrelevant they seemed; and I never felt I could not ask a question. I was given guidance by the whole Mace team, not only those I worked with by also by HR and my mentor.

Initially I was not very busy, but as the internship progressed I had more to do on a daily basis. On the whole some days were busier than others. Although, work was never consistently busy every day. On some occasions I wished I was extremely busy just to be able to say I had experienced this.

I was given a fair amount of responsibility, once again this progressed at the later stages of the placement. Initially I was not given a significant amount of responsibility, however, eventually I had my own set of responsibilities which felt good to have e.g. one included attending site independently to carry out daily inspections and reporting on this.

Very much so, I can apply what I have learnt in management related modules at university, and I may also be able to grasp concepts more easily next year for my masters. E.g. in areas relating to tendering for example. Finally, I passed my CSCS card training, which means I am competent to attend most construction sites, this will allow me to progress beyond my studies.

It was very nice in fact. I was located at the head office for a short time, but was mainly located on a project site. Both atmospheres were nice. The head office was very open, it was easy to talk to others, and hot desking was promoted which allowed you to meet new people. My project site was also nice, although there was only a maximum of 5 of us located on the project.

The work placement was well organized from HR's point of view. We had to set objectives, targets and other measures to access our performance on our placement. A regular sit down with your manager was encouraged with allowed you to progress each time. Although, as I was located on site my placement was not extremely structured, though I did not mind this.

I was invested in heavily. The company paid for all personal protective equipment, training, benefits etc. The company also regularly paid for any Masters courses that employees wanted to take that related to their job e.e such as MBA's. This just showed they were willing to invest in you as an individual.

From what I have heard and been told future employment seems likely, as the company have already invested in you so heavily. With demand for project managers on the rise the company are actively looking for places to fill and expand. This means they want to employ you after you graduate.

Yes, there was a good social scene amongst placement students and a few events were organized both by the company and by other students. These were great, as it meant you could meet other people who you would normally not get to meet. the down side was being on site meant being slightly away from it all, and missing out on some events.

On site these were not so expensive as it was on the outskirts of London. However, when in Central London at head office prices for accommodation could be astronomical, as well as the price for drinks. However, as I live in London rental accommodation was not something of a problem for me.

There was none near site, although many places near head office at Moorgate. The down side was to meet up other colleagues after work meant having to commute specially into London just for that particular occasion which often meant this was off the cards as the commute was over an hour.

There was some opportunities available but not many. However, as I was on site it meant I was a little cut off from any events that were going on outside work. Many employees who were on longer placements or were employed full time would do things from time to time.