Vacation Student - Fire Engineer Review

Review of documentation and production of fire strategies throughout all RIBA stages and retrospectively. Production of fire strategy mark-ups and use of fire engineering solutions to identify derogations and risks mitigations to accommodate non-compliances.

Report structure, use of mark-up software, identification of non-compliances, reading and understanding codes and legislation as well as their intent. Ability to read floor plans and create mental models of structures.

Named as Project Engineer on two projects within two weeks of starting. Handed projects as sole engineer working under a PM and PD and entrusted to provide full reports, analysis results, and mark-ups within deadlines. Attended a client call in week 5. All work is checked twice by PM and PD before issuing, but PE responsibilities were equal to those of permanent employees.

Frequent feedback both written and verbal. Guidance on hand whenever needed, context of tasks provided in depth with great care as to use of jargon. Full interaction with the team at all levels across multiple offices, all of whom offered help at any time it was needed. Explanations were provided with full care and attention, but still offered the chance for my own thoughts on the matters to ensure my understanding.

Very welcoming atmosphere. Regular opportunities for professional development during lunch breaks. Welcomed into the team as a member and multiple opportunities to spend time with colleagues in a non-work environment (walks at lunch, out together twice in the evening). Members of other teams also introduced themselves to me and kept in touch throughout the internship.

Very much so. Arup offered the chance to see a broad variety of projects and understand how fire engineering influences every part of infrastructure. Challenging enough to keep my mind stimulated but never daunting or overwhelming.

Yes

Lots of useful information on the website; ensure you understand the company as a whole as well as your potential team’s role within it, and what your role would be as a new starter. Have something in mind that gives you an edge - if you’re applying for a legislation-based role (such as ADB and BS9999 for fire engineering), read as much as you can of the codes and make sense of the guidance and jargon. The Approved Documents have glossaries at the back; other codes likely do too. Understanding the jargon before the interview will mean your thinking time is going towards your response, not towards understanding the question.