Programme and Project Management Summer Intern Review

For this role, I was assigned to a project and worked with a team. The role includes communicating with internal and external stakeholders on the project, focusing on sustainable performance. On a day-to-day basis I attend client meetings, collaborate with colleagues to organise workshops and create slide decks/ documents to assist with communication.

Studying a broad interdisciplinary science degree at university, I have always enjoyed working together with others to solve complex issues. Arup has allowed me to develop this tremendously. From day 1, I have been given lots of responsibility. Although challenging at first, this has allowed me to enhance my communication skills, becoming more confident at chairing meetings and workshops. This placement has also strengthened my ability to coordinate and engage team members, creatively think beyond a project’s core aims and drawing insights from other sectors.

Yes, I was given lots of responsibility during my placement. From day 1, I worked independently and with the team to manage stakeholders, plan workshops and create guides/ documents to help communication within the project.

The support and guidance system was great. After a useful induction from the Early Careers Teams, in this internship, I had a 'buddy' who is a graduate project manager. They are the person to turn to if I had any queries/ need guidance or just want to have a chat! I also have a placement lead who is extremely helpful and supportive, yet still allows me to have responsibility and work independently on tasks.

The culture at Arup is what attracted me to the company in the first place. Arup has values of high quality work and prosperity of staff, and these really shine through in day to day life. There are not siloes between different teams and disciplines, which allows for effective collaborative working, where teams can teach and learn from each other. I've also found that all colleagues, regardless of their position, are always happy to assist me, which creates a supportive and inclusive environment, free from hierarchies.

I thoroughly enjoyed my internship. It has been a perfect introduction to Programme and Project Management and Arup as a company. Working with the team and talking to other interns has helped me develop knowledge and skills in the profession, giving me insights into not just the project I worked on, but a wide range of the services and opportunities Arup offers around the world.

Yes

I would advise you to really get to grips with Arup's values and Key Speech to see if you align with them. Also research Arup's commitment to sustainability and humanitarianism. Think about how you can apply the skills you've learnt at university to the role, as well as any other experience such as part-time jobs. Also, familiarise yourself with some of Arup's projects, and investigate how they were delivered/ the impact they have had on the world.