Junior Quantity Surveyor Review

8 - I really enjoyed my placement with National Grid for a number of reasons. Very flexible working hours and locations allowed me to comfortable and efficient in my tasks, going to site and seeing different projects not only helped with seeing what I was actually doing as a result but also helping my technical knowledge.

8 - All of the people I have met during my placement made me feel very welcomed and comfortable no matter what part of the business they came from or how senior/high up in the business they were. External contractors also acted in this way which is really reassuring to me.

9 - Whenever I needed help or assistance with anything regarding work or self development, the support given to me by my peers was incredible, lots of collective years of experience passed down sound advice from professional behavior and conduct, to layouts and systematic company processes. This is especially shown during my review periods.

7 - To begin with the work was really slow in getting to me but I soon found my feet and realized that using my initiative to find work was more creative and realistic than sitting and waiting as I would at university or school. Finding a balanced workload was tough at times as you are out to impress which you can then easily overwhelm yourself.

6 - I never took the lead on any projects throughout the placement programme but rather assisted and supported where it was needed, although I feel like I was capable of taking the lead at times, I understand that a trainee QS on placement has no relevant qualification or quantification to go through with it.

9 - I have learnt not only hard technical skills but amazing soft people skills throughout many different classrooms courses, I'm looking to take these skills through the next years of graduating with a degree. This is also something I will take through life and remember not just a temporary thing.

Some days of the week the office can be quite quiet so can lead to long uninteresting days if I'm not on site or working alongside anyone. But for the most part, going for lunch with different members of the team and conversing with each other made it worth while.

I think overall that the programme setup was decent, it had all the right objectives and classes in place to make it sound. Although a slow start, it soon picked up and was in full swing.

A lot, NG has invested a lot of time and money into not only technical development for the job in terms of health and safety and access qualifications but also in terms of soft skills.

I was successful on my placement programme and now moved into a full time staff role as a Junior QS - with the rest of my undergraduate degree sponsored.

The other students and I developed a brilliant social circle during our time at NG, so much so, I strongly believe it will continue despite not all of us following the same path/programme.

I lived at home whilst studying on placement so made it a lot cheaper for me than other people who had to move away from home. However the area I lived in made some socializing events particularly expensive, especially if travelling was involved.

The nightlife was good whilst on this placement, both in my home town and when travelling to meet friends who also lived in different places whilst working for NG.

There was ample opportunities for social events outside of work such as end of year parties, 5 a side football, the world cup etc.