Industrial Trainee / Summer Student Review

I would recommend doing an internship or year in industry to everyone - I have gained so much on the technical knowledge front as well as putting my self in an advantageous place for the graduate employment race.

Right from the start I was given a sense of empowerment and freedom to develop myself by being able to challenge concepts and contribute to real projects. This was helped by the very encouraging and open management style within my team.

I felt very supported - At any point, I felt like I could express my feelings and/or thoughts.

No day was the same as I was given real work to do. My work would mainly consist of assisting the engineers in their daily tasks - sometimes even creating scope for managing my own "microprojects" (which would then obviously be checked before issuing). Workload would vary based on what was going on within the team at the time.

Far more than I was first expecting. Arup will reward you with responsibilty if you can rise to the challenge and grab it with enthusiasm and drive. By the time I left my group, I felt like I was able to contribute actively to the team and that my work was appreciated.

I came out of my placement feeling more confident and technically able. The work ethic that I had gained from the "9 to 5" was also of help when I returned to uni - specifically in terms of time managment. Furthermore, it has help me specialise in an engineering discipline that I have grown to love; I am currently undertaking a postgraduate degree in a related subject off the back of it. Overall my internships with Arup have helped in my early professional development and contributed to building my engineering skillset.

As with all things it would vary with the workload and the associated stress levels but on the whole the atmosphere was always pleasant. There were a variety of extra opportunities to socialise with colleagues through office parties and sports events.

Very well! When I arrived, I was given an induction session to introduce me to the company and its internal procedures. Assistance was always available, should I have required it. There is a tried, tested and solid process for taking on interns, placement students and graduates into the organisation.

There were a number of internal weekly "lunchtime talks" covering a variety of technical and non-technical subjects which were delivered by other Arup employees who would share their job experiences or event external company representatives. In addition, there is also a number of internal training opportunities which are offered to staff. Finally, I was given the opportunity by my manager to take time off work to get external training and gain additional relevant qualifications.

The possibilities are growing, as is the business. Lets see where I end up!

Yes! In addition to corporate / office parties and sports events, there was also annual department camping trips, occasional team lunches and a healthy weekly visit to the pub after work with other colleagues. The organisation and its people on the whole are very approachable - I made a few friends in the process.

I was based in central London, so socialising has its price, and a bit more on top. However this was covered by what I still perceive to be a healthy salary and after all, London is an experience in itself!

Regular trips to the pub, dinner with collegues an annual Christmas event with the whole team, all dusted off with occasional deviations via London's thriving night scene... Need I say more?

There are a number of networks and sports clubs freely available on Arup's intranet. They offer a great number of opportunities to meet your workmates in a different setting - I for instance, used to go cycling around Regent's Park with graduates from my department on a near daily basis.