Economics Research Intern Review

I really enjoyed the range of tasks I was given, as it helped to explore what a career in this area could offer. Of course, you could never gain a full insight with clients as an intern in a 1-week role, however, I really did enjoy it.

I was given constant feedback through and members of the team and outside of the team were more than happy to answer all questions about Savills. In the end, I have been offered more time to also work on some projects with the team as an extended internship almost. This has really made me feel that my effort has been worthwhile and appreciated by the team. I could not thank the team anymore for their help.

I received a lot of support, and was also able to ask a lot of questions without judgment. I have studied some of this material at degree level, but this does not cover some of the practicalities. As a result, I was sometimes left confused. But the team was great in answering all questions. They also regularly checked on me to make sure that I was doing okay, finding the right resources and making good progress.

It has given put all of the work that I have been doing through my degree into practical use, and hence really useful. It was also my first time in an office environment, which was again really useful. The tools such as GIS that I used will also be extremely helpful.

I wouldn't give the full mark, due to my own fault. I ended up a week late and as a result, there was a bit of a hiccup at the start when trying to work out what I was working on.

Really friendly, and constructive feedback at every turn. Really enjoyed it.

No formal training, but by being allowed to work on a range of different tasks, I was allowed to really get to grips with a lot of different topics. So I feel it was a good development opportunity. There was no formal training, such as you are going to learn this skill and x,y,z. However, I don't think it would have been appropriate, or useful. This was a week to learn about what the firm does, and that was what happened.

Throughout the week, I felt I was treated like a full-time member of the team and not just an intern. As a result, I feel pretty confident about what to expect if that was a full-time role. I was expected to work the same hours, and do the same tasks as other members (with more support of course), but it felt like I was part of the team, rather than being on the outside of it.

I think the opportunity to work in the office was a major benefit for this insight. If it had been a remote opportunity then it would not have felt certified. Therefore, working in the office, being face to face with the team really helped to gain an insight to how Savills communicates internally, how the team approaches their tasks and communicates. Of course, the opportunity to meet more staff in a social would have been useful, but with COIVD this could not be expected.

It has been really useful. Part of any internship is working out what you like and what you don't like. There were tasks I really enjoyed and some tasks that I didn't enjoy. I think the role has shown that I would be keen to work in a property firm such as Savills, but possibly more in residential development, or viability, rather than in-depth economic research. Therefore, it has been extremely valuable in future career choices.

Travel was the biggest part of my costs, and therefore for my travel expenses to be covered is a huge bonus. Of course, a paid opportunity would be great, but for Savills to offer many of these opportunities I appreciate that they have to keep costs low. As a result, I do not find the no-pay an issue, as I was able to really learn about that role in a property firm and experience Savills. A fair exchange.

Sadly COVID limited these opportunities. Although I was able to meet many people informally in the office, and discuss what it is like to work in Savills. This is why I think the office-based internship has been really impressive during these times, as it has allowed people space and no pressure to go on socials after work, but still allowed for informal communication during offices hours whether at lunch or in the office kitchen etc.

I was a week late to the internship and did miss out an opportunity to meet other interns. This was my own fault and not of Savills. My friends said they enjoyed that experience, and hence can only go off their word. My team and members of the other teams really made every effort to go to lunch with me throughout the week and felt this was really worthwhile. This is why the office-based role has been so useful for myself.

Savills has always made it clear that they approach their work as a team, and try to involve their staff in all different sorts of activities outside of the workplace. A welcome email detailed this all, and the staff also mentioned it in informal discussions. I feel like throughout my time there that I learned a lot more through discussions than through presentations. Not to fault presentations, but the staff give a more in-depth view that a quick presentation.

I really would. It was really helpful for me in working out the next steps in my own career, and for that reason, I would recommend it. Whether they are property-based or not, the range of tasks, support and feedback were given, really would allow anyone to gain a good insight into this firm and this industry. I would say this is contingent on the internship being office-based, as I felt this was crucial to the success of it.