Industrial Placement Student Review

Working with members of the team and independently on tasks I am capable of. A very wide range of projects has been covered over my 12 months here ranging from the civil asset management of a stadium, to maintenance of rail. I have worked on niche design scenarios for elements like noise barriers and unique design scenarios like the track-structure interactions of viaducts.

The basics of finite element analysis software's LUSAS and STAAD. How to use standards associated with rail projects About the impacts of fatigue and cyclic loading How the UK draining network is managed The structure of an engineering consultancy and how profits are made

I was given responsibility when on site to communicate and direct the material testing contractors I felt like a respected member of the team when completing work and receiving feedback, rather than being treated like a junior all year

Bi-weekly meetings with my line manager where I could raise my concerns. The principal account lead was also often available however I did not feel the need to contact them.

Overall very positive. Would be better if some senior engineers could make more of an effort by introducing themselves and speaking to the placement student as there are some members of the team that I still have not spoken to

I enjoyed my placement most when I was working contributing valuably to projects and with members of the team who trusted me to carry out fulfilling tasks. At some points I felt my potential was restrained by being given mundane, repetitive tasks and also often being light on work, although I understand that this is often the nature of consultancy and time sheets. Additionally, having no time allocated in my work week for compulsory University related tasks like producing my 4-month and end of year reports, my 13 topic Professional Development Record, a poster summarising the placement and meetings with my University Placement Officer placed a strain on my personal time. However, more positively, I really enjoyed learning from my colleagues and working on a range of projects which will look great on my CV and provided me with a wealth of experience.

Yes

Be positive and show you have a passion for the industry you are going into and you really want to be part of the team you are joining