Placement Trainee Project Manager Review

I highly enjoyed my summer placement working at Mace. The company offered me the chance to take the placement where I wanted in terms of where I wanted to invest my time, as well as providing me with experienced colleagues to gain a valuable insight into the construction industry as well as project managing. I enjoyed the responsibility of working for Mace as well as the social side making the placement informative and insightful as well as being fun.

I felt like every colleague within the company wanted to invest their time to help me gain knowledge of the company and the industry. I always felt valued within the team, and was treated as equals within the department. I felt like this was a major positive of the placement as I never felt undervalued by any colleague at any time.

Whenever I needed help/support, if my manager was available, then I felt and could go over whenever I needed too. At times when my manager was away, anyone within my department would be happy to help me, even people from other sectors were happy to provide support/guidance. However, when my line manager took a short holiday, I felt maybe better cover should've been provided (I didn't feel like this is a major negative, I just feel like there should be someone else tasked to look after you when your line manager is away)

At the start It took maybe 2-3 day's for work to pick up which is expected at any new job. But you're given work to complete in your first few days such as training. My work load quickly picked up and I was satisfied with my work load throughout the placement. I never felt over pressured, and enjoyed being busy with deadlines. I had one period when my manager was off as well as many other people in my department, where I had one 'slow' day but I was able to catch up with personal work.

I was given a lot of responsibility during my placement, something that I wanted from a placement. I felt the responsibility was adequate however I did feel that I could've been tasked with more at times. I felt like I did a lot of work for the clients, however I didn't have a lot of interaction with the clients myself (this is difficult as the client wants the same person to contact them every time)

The skills and training I received was extremely useful for my degree, I will be able to take everything I've learnt from the placement and utilize within my degree such as planning and gaining a hands on experience with the theory of my degree. The skills I've learnt have/will help me in future life, especially the insight into a professional environment at such an early age while being introduced at easier pace.

The office atmosphere was professional like any other company however is relaxed and fun once you settle. There is mix of people within the offices, especially age with recent graduates and experienced colleagues too which is nice. I found that I got on with everyone within the office, it was extremely relaxed and everyone including my managers had a laugh. The dress code is also very relaxed depending on what you're doing for the day as well as working hours.

I found the placement to have been extremely well organized. At no point did I find there to be confusion with what I was meant to do. Everyone was expecting me in the office, all new interns had their laptop and phone ready at a desk as well as Mace branded stationary. We was given excellent instructions/and kept well informed from application to the very end.

The company invest heavily in all colleagues especially placement students. I found that not only do the company invest a lot into new students, they also invest their time into training and wanting to make your placement more enjoyable and worth while. I feel that I have developed as an employee from start to finish. Colleagues also want to help you with your mistakes, I found that my manager would sit me down and show me how I could improve my work at all times.

I received a place on the graduate scheme at the end of my degree, which is extremely helpful as I can now invest my time at uni into my work instead of looking for a career. There is large scope within the company as it is constantly growing and I feel that I am valued member of the team

Within m department especially there was two summer placements and two year long placements. This was a huge positive as I was around people my age and had the chance to work alongside other students who are in the 'same boat'. We would always go to lunch together and go out after work for drinks so there was always something to do. We also organized site visits with other placement students in the company to large sites such as Battersea. My department also had a summer social party which was extremely fun and great for getting to know everyone in the department easier.

London is an expensive city, to travel to and to work in. However this is to be expected and there are always ways of socializing cheaply. I knew applying for the placement that London is expensive and that travelling to work would cost a lot. I wouldn't say this is a negative as mace offers placements in other cities such as Birmingham where it is cheaper.

The nightlife is really good around the London office. There are loads of bars, nightclubs, restaurants and street food so it really is amazing. There are also a lot of cheaper nightlife areas around so that is a benefit. The graduates who have worked at the office for a year helped us find cheap place's that were close.

The office has loads of activities such as sports and socializing. While I didn't want to do any sports I always went out with everyone when I had the chance. However, I think for new placement students its difficult to get involved in new activities such as sports as we're only here for 10 weeks, which isn't the companies fault.