Industrial Placement Review

Daily tasks: I spend most my time writing and editing reports as well as creating technical drawings. As I am in the drainage team I have been writing reports such as: specifications, drainage strategies and drainage calculations. For the drawings I have been using the software: Bentley Open Roads and AutoCAD. Daily interactions internally: I interact with my core team, sitting in a friendly office Daily interactions externally I phone and email clients for projects.

I have learnt a vast range of new skills. Some of the main one include, great team working skills as we are always working together on projects with many different people and people you haven't met. This has also helped to develop my communication skills, especially via things such as email and teams. I have really been able to build on my formal writing skills. The other main skill I have gained is my ability to design well.

Yes I was given a lot of responsibility. On my first week I was straight into design work, creating drawings by myself and writing detailed reports. Although, they gave a me a lot of responsibility they were also there to support me if I needed. I was sat between two graduates that were able and willing to answer all the questions I had about different projects. They have slowly increased my responsibility throughout the year.

I received a lot of support. If I needed help I always has my buddy or colleagues or various managers who were always willing to help me. If I was struggling on tasks they would show me how to do them or sort out my issues. My manager would give me a list of tasks that would have to be done in order to help me break down huge tasks and make it easier for me to know what to do

The company had great company culture. The office is full of a wide range of teams, including the water team, bridges team, transport team, rail team, environment team and ecology team. this means that there are always friendly and interesting people about. The office also hosted a load of social events to help bring everyone together. We have had Christmas parties sports days, trips gorge walking and organised trips to the cinema or for drinks at the end of the week.

I really enjoyed the placement. I think it has developed me in a lot of ways, socially and technically. Of course there were times where I didn't have too much work or were doing really boring repetitive tasks, but in general it has been really interesting and has helped me to learn what the real workplace is like compared to in uni. I feel like I have got a lot better at report writing which should help at uni.

Yes

Be yourself. They like people that show they are willing to learn and develop themselves. they also like people that are themselves. Like don't pretend to be someone else. Show your quirks and use them as a strong point to help in the company socially and within your design work. Make sure you go to all the social events and really try and socialise as there are a great bunch of people that will make your placement more fun.