Commercial manager trainee Review

It was great to be apart of Mace and network with lots of people. It gave an insight to what it would be like being a quantity surveyor there if I joined on the graduate scheme. There were lots of opportunities to meet people and understand how the processes work whilst having time to yourself to undertake further learning from jnfomace.

At the start it was just my line manager and I which enabled a good bond to be built. Then we moved to be with the whole team and there were people that made more effort than others which made me feel like I wasn't able to participate as much.

The support progresses with the time spent with the team as they begin to understand what you are looking for and are already able to do. As long as I asked guidance was always given but patience is necessary due to seniors being in meetings and having a busy schedule.

The days varied as it would depend on who was there in the team to advise me on work to do. On days that I was not busy i would give myself university work to do in order to complete my placement report. Asking for more work or to shadow allowed me to keep busier.

A lot to trust and responsibility is given for completing work that will be sent off to the PQS and being able to liaise with key people in the project. We were given the opportunity to go on site and to meetings even if it was to sit in and watch.

We were apart of the beginning of the project which was the tendering process. There was a lot of skills learnt such as measuring, using spons and reporting cash flows. Also communication and team working skills improved from the environment I was in. I was able to show my work for next year at university to ask for advice too.

It depended on the day as sometimes it was be very quiet as everyone was busy or tired. Other days were very loud and people were excited but this depends on the effort put in by people and when the whole team is in. It is what you make from it.

The beginning was a good opportunity to meet people from the induction but it is up to you to keep in contact with these people as they usually don't form part of your team. Work was organised on a day to day basis which meant there wasn't a lot to do some days. The review form helped to give some structure.

I believe mace cares for their employees and makes sure that we are able to work happily. There was a lot of modules to do at the beginning which taught us about mace, however there was not many opportunities for summer placements to do cpd training that were linked specifically to being chartered.

Mace work on great projects and have many international opportunities. It would be great to be able to work abroad on a significant project whilst being involved in a new environment. Additionally the graduate scheme seems to help more with training and leading to becoming chartered by RICS with Mace.

It was good at the beginning but there had to be a lot of effort to be maintained to keep up relationships with students. However it was easier to chat to colleagues you would see around the business because you would see them during the day whereas I live further from work so it was difficult to meet up with people after work.

It worked out better for me to have an hour and half commute in to London from my family home rather than live in London. Socialising was expensive but did not happen too often which made it affordable as it would be good or drinks which were standard London prices.

There are a lot of good places to go nearby although I did not make full use of this. A lot of the other students had great nights out and recommended many places to go. Many places would be busy in the summer but it was a good way to bond with people.

At the beginning there was a few work drinks but it is up to you yourself to make plans outside of work and mace did not provide this. It would've been good to have more organised events outside of work as it is difficult to work around everyone's schedule.