Atkins Summer Student Review

I really enjoyed my internship; the work given to me was engaging and I also enjoyed the lifestyle.

Colleagues gave me any suitable work which made me feel included and valued.

The buddy and line manager system made me feel very supported. I always knew there was someone to go to if I had a problem.

Generally, I was given tasks before previous ones had been completed. Occasionally I needed to ask around for work, but this was not a problem. There were always more menial (but still relevant) tasks available for me to do if I had <1hr to fill. Technical and non-technical training also filled my time.

I was given a reasonable amount of responsibility during my internship, but I never felt under felt that the risk associated with the work I was doing was too great. The risk was the right level to make me feel valued in the team without being expected to do things beyond my capabilities.

The skills I developed both consolidated things I have learnt in my degree, whilst also training me for longer term goals within naval architecture.

The atmosphere was great in the office. I was part of a smaller team within a larger unit, but everyone was in an open plan office. For the first few weeks, people would come and find me at my desk to introduce themselves and make me feel welcome. There were always people to head out to lunch with. The atmosphere was also really good because of the lunchtime 'lunch and learn' and 'energy bites' events which occur weekly. These are informal discussions about subjects of particular interest and also current work.

The overall organisation was really good. From day 1 there was a plan in place for me. I had what was expected of me explained, and I was given the opportunity to set some objectives and goals for myself during the internship. The structured onboarding process made me feel prepared for the start and duration of the internship.

I was trained in AQWA, GeniE, HydroD and SIMA during my internship. I also followed a personal development framework which was supported by my line manager who was always proactive in increasing my personal training and development over the course of the internship. I feel as though both money and time were invested into me.

A future job with Atkins is very appealing. The work has been both enjoyable and interesting. My colleagues are all really nice, and have demonstrated to me a good work-life balance with almost all of them having a sport to which they are fully committed to as well as their job.

In my 3 months at Atkins we had lunches together regularly - making sure to eat out together when a colleague was moving onto somewhere new (inside or outside of Atkins). Team drinks were also organised and regular lunchtime walks were available to Regents Park. I also met fellow placement students in the first few days during induction activities.

The cost of living was as to be expected for London - but commuting from further afield was also very popular among colleagues. The cost of socialising around Euston was again, as to be expected for London, but if you are careful it is still a very fun and sociable thing to do.

I'm not sure what the nightlife is like around Euston itself. But it's so easy to travel around London that I think you can include the whole of London in this question - where there are many options and lots of variety in terms of nightlife. Something to suit almost everyone.

There were a few charity based activities going on during my time at Atkins over the summer. There are also a few sports teams to get involved in which happen outside of work hours. There were also before, during lunchtime and after work yoga sessions organised by a group of colleagues.