Civil Engineering - Summer Placement Review

I had an enjoyable experience working on a high profile contract. I was given genuine tasks that will add value to the company that involved me contacting suppliers and discussing our requirements of the scope brief I had written. I often went for a few beers with others from the office and enjoyed the office relations and atmosphere.

Extremely, I worked in a tight team of four people which grew to five during my placement. We worked with other teams on the project and also socialised with others. I had a lot of good evenings in the pub and felt integrated to the team. Many things were explained when I required it and I felt that if I didn't know anything I could just ask without expecting to be judged.

I could openly ask for help with any tasks that I had been set. The team set me tasks that they hoped would be useful for my development as opposed to giving me mundane and menial jobs to do that they did not enjoy themselves. Support and guidance was given to the correct level without 'babysitting' me.

Could have been given more tasks to do but I realise that this is difficult to do with a placement student as it is only a short period of time and most useful tasks are ongoing for months. Having said that I was given genuine tasks to source a material test that will be used on the project.

I was given genuine tasks to source a material test that will be used on the project and left to get on with this without anyone checking how I was getting along every few minutes. I was left to contact suppliers and write out documentation that followed the same process as everyone else.

The skills developed me for a role in engineering very well and allowed me to understand the corporate side of any role I take. Having looked at the module descriptions for modules I am due to take in the next couple of years at university I know that the tasks I have been working on will be studied in later years which will give me a good background and head start in these modules

Good atmosphere with the right balance between work and conversations

Very well organised with a set up in place centrally to complete tasks alongside my day to day tasks that all placement students in the company were doing. This climaxed with a Skype presentation with some other students that allowed me to see what others had been doing and let see what I had been doing.

I didn't undertake any training courses but I don't think the opportunity really arose for this. I had several discussions about my development and was given many things to do that were intended to 'develop' me.

It is highly likely that I will be offered another placement next summer and provided that goes well I would say again that it is highly likely I receive a place on the graduate programme with Costain following my graduation. The graduate scheme seems to be very good with lots of benefits

We often went for a few beers after work and on a few occasions had a skinful. The team went for a meal a few times together and found a few good pubs in Bristol. Most people commuted and stayed in Bristol Monday to Friday and went home for the weekend so there was lots of opportunity for a few drinks and some food after work.

Bristol seemed to be a very expensive place but this may just be to do with me being from the north and this being the south. A pint was probably around four quid and you could get a meal for around fifteen. I struggled to find a place to stay short term but found a student room someone was sub letting for the summer

There are numerous pubs in Bristol and a few decent nightclubs. I only really experienced the pubs as we had the opportunity to travel home for weekends which I took on most weekends. This was seen as a company expense which was a great benefit to find out.

We often went for a few beers after work and on a few occasions had a skinful. The team went for a meal a few times together and found a few good pubs in Bristol. Most people commuted and stayed in Bristol Monday to Friday and went home for the weekend so there was lots of opportunity for a few drinks and some food after work.