Junior Quantity Surveyor Review

As my first official office job, National Grid's placement offered a great deal of training and support to allow me to settle in. I enjoyed all aspects of my role, with new challenges and opportunities arising everyday allowing me to learn and better myself throughout my placement.

During my placement, I felt valued by my team. My colleagues have constantly been supportive and offered a friendly environment to grow with the business. If I ever encountered issues or challenges, my colleagues and support networks was always happy to help me address them.

Weekly and monthly meetings was set aside in my managers calendar to have catch up and address any issues I had encountered. A mentor had been assigned to me to give support and guidance throughout the year.

Workload during my placement varied depending on the time of the month and the projects in which I was working on. Some weeks, towards the end of the month, my calendar was full due to project review meetings however this balanced out mid-month when less work was on, allowing time to catch up on emails, training and personal development.

Working with some vastly experienced colleagues and contractors on projects gave me the feeling that throughout my placement I was given a great deal of responsibility. However any work I completed was always assured and feedback always given.

The training complete and skills developed in my placement were invaluable, offering me a chance to put into practice theory from my degree. Learning first hand how to manage live projects has given me skills and understanding that university couldn't provide.

The atmosphere has always been positive and welcoming in the office. Colleagues at National Grid are friendly and supportive.

The placement was organised well, with more than adequate training put in place in the beginning allowing me to ease into the role.

National Grid are extremely supportive in personal development, offering online training courses and instructor led training at Eakring. If an opportunity to develop skills arises, my managers were more than happy to approve my attendance.

National Grid are keen to offer future opportunities within the business. Future prospects are clearly laid out in the beginning which, throughout the year, allowed me to work towards a more permanent graduate role within the business.

My colleagues and fellow placement students have been in constant contact throughout the year. We have had time to meet up and catch up with each other in both formal and informal settings, in and out of the office.

I lived at home and commuted to work during my placement therefore I didn't see the costs associated with socialising in the area I worked in.

The nightlife in the surrounding area is thriving. A great opportunity to go out with colleagues!

National Grid offer opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work. On the first day in office I was offered to come along to a five a side football after work.