Project Manager Review

This was the first time that i had ever worked in a professional office, and I wasn't really sure what to expect. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Mace, and quickly settled in. The staff are all friendly and on hand to help, and I was given many oppurutnities to see how the business worked in the different departments. I got a real feel for the company as whole. Although primariliy based in Project Management, I was able to experience other departments such as cost consultancy.

From my first day i was welcomed in by my colleagues and felt part of the team. Everyone seemed to be interested in getting to know a bit about me, and didn't just see me as a student, I was treated equally like everyone else in the team. Although there is a fine line between colleagues / friends, I found the atmosphere in the office as friendly as it could be without crossing the line. My colleagues trusted me to do work to a high enough standard for the project.

I couldn't have asked for a better line manager! He was always there on hand to help me with anything i needed, and we reguarlaly sat down to discuss the assignments i was working on. All of the staff in my team were extremely happy to help me with my work, and answer any questions. Nobody ever turned me away when asking questions, even if i thought they were 'silly'. I was told there was never a silly question!

This varied. Some days i was extremely busy and had mutiple tasks to get done, where as other days I struggled to find any work to do. However, I learnt to take my time on the pieces of work that weren't required in a rush, so that i could do the best i could, rather than rushing them just to get them passed on. I was able to ask other members of my team for work, not just my line manager, and there seemed to be jobs here and there.

To begin with i wasn't given much responsibility - i was sent away to do pieces of work that weren't really necessary for the project, but gave me an understanding of the project. I was rewarded for the work i did, and the amount of responsibility increased during my time. I ended up being given a good dela of repsonsibility and being asked to go away and put together documents that were way beyond the level of work expected of me. I felt privileged to be asked to do this work, and when told how good the work was i felt a real sense of acheivement.

I learnt how to communicate professionally, not only with collegues, but also with clients, contractors, sub contractors, vendors, etc. My time management skills have approved, when given multiple tasks i had to manage my time effectivly and priortise work to get it completed before deadlines, this will help me at uni when undertaking courseworks. Working as part of a professional team, will help in group work. I practiced my presentation skills, a skill that is so important in almost all careers.

There was a good balance between working hard, and getting jobs done, but mixed with good conversations and jokes with colleagues. I would say the office was never dull, even when working there was a good atmosphere and i was happy to be working there. I looked forward to turning up to work. Somedays the staff went out for drinks, or we all went out to have lunch together.

I would say overall the internship was set up well. The recruitment process was great, and not daunting at all, especially as it was my first proper interview. There were no assesment centres, just an interview at the head office. There was an induction day on the first day where we got to meet the CEO's of the company, have talks from the different sectors, see the office set up, and meet all the other interns. On my first proper day in the office, i set up a plan with my line manager of what i wanted to acheive, and my goals. We regularly sat down to go through this and see my progress. However, the work load did vary, but this couldn't be helped!

I did a few online training programes including, Anti Bribery and Corruption, Confidentiality.... I unfortunately didn't get to go to site which i think would have been really benificial. A few of the other interns were able to attend training meetings but there wasnt anything offered to me.

There looks to be a good oppurutnity with the company in the future. Although my placement was only for 10weeks over the summer, if you have worked well and been recommened by your line manager there is the option to be invited back for another internship, or to even enter their graduate scheme.

We organised a few events amongst ourselves where the placement students met up for drinks. The HR team organised a closing event at the end of the placement where all the interns got back together. There could have maybe been one more orgnaised mid way. My team were quite social and we went for drinks a few times after work on a friday.

Being in the City of London is never cheap! However, the office had a canteen which offered cheap good food. There were a few pubs nearby which didn't put you out of pocket. As a student in London, i am used to the prices and have my own flat so there was no extra cost for me.

A few times we went out for drinks in the evening and there were good bars and restaurants around. Shoreditch is only down the road which has a great range of pubs and bars on offer.

There were a few oppurtunities that the company offered. They had a Race for Mace which was a 5k run round Regents Park, followe dby a social event. There was a breakfast offered with the board as well.