Summer Scheme Student Review

As a planner I focus on helping with planning application and making sure they get approved. This involves doing site appraisals, which includes searching through planning policy documents such as Local Plans to find policies relating to the site, and learning more information about the site. Other tasks include making spreadsheets to present information such as site allocations, as well as using policies to create maps that show information in a more accessible way.

Developing research skills was a major focus of my placement, which included getting more familiar with where to find specific policies and planning information. I have also learnt more about the processes and systems in planning, for example what documents are included in planning application, and how planning applications progress. I have become more comfortable using programmes such as excel and learnt about new software that might become useful in the future.

Yes I was presented with a variety of tasks and projects to complete during my placement. The work varied in scale and the types of tasks I need to complete for them. Some of them were short research tasks to find information about certain sites or companies, whilst other were long term spreadsheet tasks that took many days to complete and involved a lot of research, some of which was completely new to me.

The support I received was really great, and if I ever had any questions about my tasks or didn't understand a certain concept, help was always available. This is applied to everyone in the team, meaning I could ask anyone and they helped greatly. Even concepts that I had an understanding off were explained to me in greater detail then I knew before, improving my understanding of the subject.

The company was really great to work at. Everyone was very friendly and inviting, and was able to talk to a number of people not only during/about work, but also during lunches. The atmosphere was very supportive and I did not feel stressed working here.

The placement has been a fantastic opportunity for me develop my professional skills, get experience doing real planning work, and get comfortable working in an office environment. The skills I was able to develop will help with studies and will stay with me until I get actually working, helping me at the start of my career. Learning more about how planning works and the sort of documents and information real planners work with has really improved my knowledge about the subject, which will be beneficial in the future. Also working in an office for the first time means when I begin working I will be more comfortable in that environment and get used to how it works more rapidly.

Yes

Being yourself is stated repeatedly during the application process and I agree with that greatly. Make sure you express yourself when doing the application and interview. Learning about the industry you're applying to is also important, understanding the current trends and projects that are happening especially in the area you are applying in will show your understanding and enthusiasm for the subject.