Student Placement Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my work experience as it allowed me to gain lots of information and experince from working in the industry. I attended several workshops which also helped to improve my knowledge. Attending a site visit was also exciting and I found this a very useful and interesting experience.

I felt very welcomed by most members of staff in hte office, everyone was willing to answer any questions or assist with work. If they were busy they always came to catch up later and help to solve the problem. I always had work to do and felt like I helped make a small contribution to this huge project.

My management was alwyas there to offer support and help with any issues that I had. If they weren't in the office then I could drop them an email and recieve an answer the same day to help me solve my problem. I had great guidance and if I was ever unsure about anything they were always happy to explain things futher for me.

I always had enough work to get along with. Some days were busier than others, some days I had meetings and other days I was out on site. This brought a nice balance to my 4 weeks on placement and meant that my time spent there was more enjoyable as I wasn't doing the same thing everyday.

I didn't have responsibility for anybody else during my placement, this was because I did not have any previous experience. I wouldn't have felt comfortable with more responsibility during my time. I had my own responsibility to turn up to meetings and workshops on time and to meet the deadlines for my work.

I definitely feel like I have gained skills for life whilst working on this placement. I have learnt the importance of temworking skills and improved my own. I have also learnt useful pieces of information that I will take forward with me. This placement has given my a good insite into the industry and confirmed that it is what I want to do with my life.

The office varied on a daily basis, some days it was really busy and other days it would be quiet. I always felt comfortable and welcome in the office. It was a friendly professional environment where everyone was able to work as a team if needed. There were also several clubs and social events which I could participate in. This helped to build friendships within the office.

The work placement was organised very well. I had someone to meet me on the first day and a computer was set up for me ready to start working on my first day. My manager had emailed me work to get on with as she was in a different office. Several workshops and site visits were organised for me during my placement which I benefited from greatly.

The company provided me with the resources to revise for my exam to get my cscs card. They provided me with the DVD and book so that I could improve my knowledge ready for my exam. I therefore greatly improved my health and safety knowledge and passed the exam with 100%.

I still have several years of study left on my degree, but I have been told to stay in touch and to get into contact if I would like a placement in the future. I was not looking for future employment at this stage as this is the first time I have ever done anything related to civil engineering.

I didn't participate in any other social activities with fellow placement students because I had other commitments outside of work. But they did go for a night out together and to the footbal one day, so the option was there had I wanted to go along too! The company had social activities going on every week.

My placement was in my hometown, so I didn't notice a difference in the cost of living and socialising. I lived and home and travelled in by train daily. This allowed me too still spend some of my summer holidays with my parents as well as gaining valuable experience from my placement.

Cardiff is a great night out! The student night on a wednesday has lots of great deals on. On the weekend the prices are more expensive but this is what you would expect from any capitol city on the weekend. Cardiff is a good night out and the locals are friendly and up for a laugh.

There were opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work. Every Wednesday the running club went for a run and were always welcoming and inviting about new people joining. There was also a social club that held events once a month. During my time they went to the local glee club one thursday after the team briefing/