Placement student Review

I enjoyed most of my placement at Arup. The work was stimulating and challenging which I enjoyed. I also was given a wide variety of work to do, meaning I got to experience many different aspects of Rail engineering. In general I enjoyed my placement and looked forward to coming into the office each day.

My colleagues in the team I was working in were very friendly and they often thanked me for the work I was doing to help them. I felt that the work I was doing was actually helping the company and my colleagues, and their acknowledgement of this motivated me to keep doing good work.

Help was always available whenever I requested it. I was also given several help documents related to software I was using for the first time. In addition, the tasks were always fully explained to me before I carried them out and I was given the opportunity to ask for further explanation.

I was kept fairly busy throughout my placement, and I was encouraged to ask for more work if I ever ran out.

My work was checked before going further but I was in charge of designs. I was also given my own small project to run which I very much enjoyed. I was in charge of making decisions myself and came up with my own ideas and solutions to solve different problems which emerged during the projects cycle,

I was able to apply some of my engineering skills learnt during my degree so far during my placement. I also hope to be able to apply some of the skills I've learnt during my placement to my final year at university, for example report writing, technical and computing skills.

The atmosphere was extremely friendly. There was regular team activities and everyone made an effort to greet me and introduce themselves. There was a very welcoming atmosphere from my first day there right till the end. I would welcome the opportunity to return there - I think the office is a unique place to work.

Very well organised.

I learnt several new skills, including the use of several computer programmes. This required several hours of help from my colleagues and the company. The HR department also gave me health and safety inductions and site safety briefings. Therefore I would say that they invested a moderate amount in me.

I have been offered a chance to return to the team (subject to an interview with the Head of Department) and I am definitely considering this opportunity. I would very much like to stay within the company, and will explore opportunities at different locations, as well as returning to the same office.

Regular team meetings and quiz nights. I also regularly ate during my lunch break with my collageas as well as other placement students.

I stayed in my university accommidation throughout my placement - a relatively cheap area. However I would have rented this regardless of my placement so did not cost me any extra money.

Did not explore the nightlife during my time there.

I got invited to join the badminton club, however this did not interest me.