Development Department Summer Scheme Student Review

The summer scheme was highly enjoyable and I was given a wide variety of tasks to do which meant I got a good insight into how it would be to work here as a graduate. I would have liked to have had some experience in other teams but I did not manage to fit this into the four weeks.

I felt valued by the team I worked in as I was treated like anyone else who is here permanently. Everyone in the Office was very friendly and asked lots of questions regarding my university course and what I hoped to do as a career. I was also lucky enough to be around for the summer party which was a great chance to chat with other people in the office that you usually wouldn't speak to.

Almost all tasks were explained to me prior to starting them and those that were not, if I asked for help I was always given it. I was given a lot of independence by the team and was allowed to get on with the task in hand. At the same time, there was always support if I needed it.

The summer scheme has definitely allowed me to both learn new skills and develop my existing ones. These skills will give me a better understanding of topics I will study in my third year at university, but also help me greatly when I get into the workplace as a graduate.

The scheme was generally well structured both in the office I have been working in and from the head office point of view. However, it is always difficult for more senior employees to have work that is able to be delegated. Although, when there was a gap in work, I would get on with the summer scheme project.

The general atmosphere was great as everyone gets on well and they work together to provide the best care for clients. There was also plenty of opportunity to socialise throughout the month with different events, such as after work drinks, rounders tournament and the office summer party. A very welcoming office!

A lot of the senior employee's time has been spent explaining to me how to carry out tasks to my best ability, allowing me to develop my personal skills . This has been highly beneficial. Alongside this, the head office also organised online seminars covering a wide variety of subjects.

Everyone in the office has made me feel like a permanent employee, not just temporary. If I were to work her full time, I believe it would be no different to my experience over this month and I would be treated the same and carry out the same sort of work.

I have previously completed work experience at Savills but only for a week at a time, therefore it was not long enough to get immersed into the company culture. During this month, however, I have really been able to see how the company works and how permanent employees are treated.

This summer scheme has been highly valuable in helping me decide on my future career path as it has allowed me to decipher between tasks I enjoy doing and those that I do not find as interesting. The wide variety of tasks I have been given has helped this even further.

The pay is similar to all the other summer internships that different companies offer to second year university students. I believe I was paid adequately for this experience as it was what I would have been paid monthly had I worked here full time during a sandwich placement year. All my expenses were also reimbursed.

There have been opportunities throughout the month to meet other employees both within the office I was working in and nationally. I attended an auction day where there were volunteers from many different offices that I was able to meet and network with. There has also been an office party and after work drinks that allowed me to meet everyone within my own office.

All of the networking/social event opportunities were well organised and everyone was very friendly. I enjoyed these opportunities greatly and it allowed for a further insight into the company culture and how it works.

I have been made aware of a few different activities that employees are able to get involved with outside of work, but due to only being in the office for a month I wasn't able to take part in too many of these. I believe that full time employees have plenty of opportunity to take part in a variety of activities.

I would definitely recommend this summer scheme to a friend as I have really enjoyed my month at Savills. There has been plenty of opportunities and events for me to get involved with, the work I have done has been interesting and varied. Most importantly, the team have been very welcoming and accommodating.