Placement Student Review

I've honestly enjoyed the entire experience. I worked as a site engineer where I was giving the opportunity to work on a variety of different treatment sites. Everyday has come with new challenges and an opportunity to learn. This placement has reaffirmed my decision to work on site after graduation.

My colleagues have been quite accommodating, knowing fully well that I am learning. They are keen to take time to explain processes that I am not familiar with. This has been quite helpful in allowing me to develop my understanding of the treatment process. I feel like a valued member of the team, because they have helped me feel this way.

On my first day on the placement, I was allocated a buddy. This was an experience Site Engineer that would guide me into getting comfortable with my role. I appreciate the buddy system at JN Bentley. I consider it extremely effective in training new employees. Personally, my buddy has been quite vital in my development as a site engineer. She is always willing to help and explain how processes work.

How busy you are is dependent on the stage of the project, there are busy days and also the less busy ones. Over the course of the placement my work load has fluctuated. That being said there’s always something going on on-site. I would usually assist the operatives on my less busy times gaining some valuable insight on to how construction occurs.

I didn’t have very many responsibilities when I joined, this was merely due to the fact I had not undergone any training. I was provided training by the company, in order to be more involved. .After completing training my responsibilities increased and this allowed me to further increase my development and knowledge

It’s giving me the opportunity to expand on my already owned knowledge, developing my skills and understanding. An example is the gross amount of Surveying I have done as a Site engineer, I am now able to manipulate the total station to do things I did not know about prior to my placement. Overall its provided me with a chance to apply the theoretical principles I have learnt during my course, insight into how it all fits & the application into this industry.

The general atmosphere seemed quite lively, most people wanted to know how I was getting on. The office managers especially are quite supportive and accommodating. It’s got an informal atmosphere. An example is the dress down day in which every Friday for charity, the employees are allowed to dress casually.

It has been well organised from the start, I was allocated to work on site as this was my preference. Being provided a buddy to show me where my site was located. The placement has been quite flexible, were I have been given the opportunity to choose where I would like to spend my years’ experience. (Site or Office based)

The company were willing to sponsor my CSCS competency qualification and also provided me with more safety training during the placement. In my case I already had a CSCS card, so I opted in for further H&S training. I was also given the opportunity to take the Site Supervisors training Scheme.

I have enjoyed this year and am looking forward to working here again. The prospects are quite appealing having had an insight/taste on to my day to day activities as a site Engineer. I have been able to make a decision of what aspect of civil engineering I intend to practise.

There was a yammer page created solely for placement students. In this forum we were able to socialise about our experiences during the placement. This gave us a chance to know one and another. There were even gatherings discussed to meet for social events, However I was unable to attend due to circumstances.

I lived in a house share with 3 other people who all worked for MMB. The cost of living was quite good, it costs even less than my cost of living at university. This has allowed me to save in rent expenses. The only drawback with the Telford area was finding Halal food, which there was but was scarce.

I haven’t really been out in Telford, most times we went out was in Birmingham which is less than an Hour away. There’s a town centre in Telford which has a variety of things to get involved in. There are two cinema’s and also a bowling alley. Telford has a lot to offer.

As discussed earlier the weekly Football games at Idsall, have been a highlight for me. Its been an opportunity to see my colleagues in a different way. This has been an excellent team building activity and a means for me to seat comfortably in the office team. There’s been a variety of other activities such as a Banghra night, go-karting and Barbecues.