Summer Student Review

It was great to experience work at an engineering consultancy. Working for such a large firm as Atkins I was able to work on a range of projects across the UK.

My colleagues were very helpful in introducing the work, technical knowledge and company values at the start of my placement. I was made to feel useful and was praised for the work that I completed. I was made to feel useful during my time at Atkins as I could help free up time for the engineers by doing simple but time consuming tasks that they would usually do.

From the start my team in the office made a real effort to make me feel comfortable and welcome at work. My line manager was especially conscientious and spent time explaining software and the company values and way of working. I was encouraged to ask questions as much as I wanted and help was always given in a clear and positive manner.

I was given enough work to keep me busy at all times. When I finished one piece there was always more work which could be done as I could assist in the drawing work for all ongoing projects within the team. I enjoyed this as it meant that I was being useful by contributing to the team and making my employment worthwhile to the company. Despite being busy all the time I wasn't stressed or every pressured as my manager assigned my workload correctly.

I was given outline instructions for jobs and was encouraged to ask questions whenever I got stuck but was given some freedom in design and modelling on some of the infrastructure projects I worked on. I would be given the brief and some background explanation, I would then go away and do the design work and then show it to my manager. He would then check my work, provide constructive criticism and let me know how to improve my work to achieve the best design solution. I felt that this was a great way to improve my engineering knowledge- the easiest way to learn is from experience and mistakes.

I have learnt some vital skills in 3D and drainage modelling. I have learned how a large consultancy firm works from an engineering and a business perspective. This was something I hadn't considered in as much detail prior to my placement but I now appreciate the importance of economics in any large company. I have also gained self confidence and industry awareness. The technical skills I have gained will be helpful for my last year at university as I can apply industry knowledge to my degree.

It was generally quiet which was useful as it meant that everyone could concentrate but it was also very friendly and there was social communication between colleagues.

When I arrived I was given a company introduction, my computer and software was all set up and I was given jobs straight away. It was very well organised.

They sent me to Glasgow to experience a larger office location and to meet some of the colleagues I was working with from across the country. They were keen to answer any questions I had about the industry and made an effort to allow me to experience all of my areas of interest.

Having done a placement I will be fast tracked by one stage in the graduate scheme application process but there is no guarantee of a job.

We had a work night out and workmates often socialised each week.

Affordable

Great nightlife.