Student Intern Review

I was able to get very involved within a project at Arup that involved me going to external meeting and doing a range of in office and on site works.

I felt the existing employees were very welcoming and socialising after work was a regular occurrence.

All of the supervisors that I referred to while on placement took the time and more to show me how to do a job correctly and well rather than just correcting problematic areas for me.

During periods I was very busy in the office and chose to commit some overtime hours in order to get work complete for deadlines. Similarly during these periods senior members of the team also worked longer hours in order to gain completion. Between and after such deadlines work remained busy but I found that there was a slight lull were I did not need to stay on after work.

I was given a great amount of responsibility and although my work was check by senior members of staff before being issued or used for client presentation. Other areas of responsibility came from meeting organisation with internal and external bodies at the office along with being able to contribute to meeting with these parties.

The skills I have received from placement I feel are much more applicable to working life than those learnt in my studies. From the language and display of information and emails to my areas of interest within the subject. Before placement I loathed have computing modules, now I will be choosing to take Computer Programming as a university module when I return.

Arup as a office has a very dynamic approach to project were working as a team in key. The office is very open plan with numerous areas where group work and discussions could take place. These areas are used daily by various teams. Outside of office hour the office also had a range of activities and event that I got involved with from office squash and badminton to evening meals and drinks.

My placement with Arup was a last minute decision through a summer placement position that got extended. Arup are as office that would do very well if they were to employ more student inters. I think in the future Arup student interns should be organised so that they have the ability to work in the various departments of their choice to get a feel of what the whole company has to offer. Fortunately I enjoyed that position I was in for the year placement so did not feel at loss because of this.

Arup are every supportive of the extra things you put towards personal development. They run a range of lunch times talks throughout the year that all are welcome to. Personally I feel that they could set goals for the interns so that some elements of this development is mandatory as it is for staff so that they are treated more like a permanent employee.

Arup has many advertising prospects for my future employment. The range of project, positions and locations makes them a company that would be flexible with the lifestyle choice of the individual to make there working life a more enjoyable place to be.

The other placement students that were with Arup the year I was I know already from university. However, I think that Arup should put on some small events for the placement, graduate and lower grade employees so that they get to know each other outside of the office and without senior department members. This would be good for the graduates and students that are new to the location and don't know many people their own age.

I have lived in Cardiff as a student for two years already so knew were the cheap food and accommodation is but generally as a city the price of living if very affordable even on a student intern salary.

Cardiff has a great night life. Some times maybe to great especially during the week when you work Mon - Fri !!

During my placement I got involved with supporting an EFOD charity cycle, playing sport after work and going on lady night shopping trips to name a few. At Arup if you have an interest there is usually some one in the office who already does it or there would be a team of people willing to try. It is a very active office on the most party but they do also like to socialise and have events like pub of the month.