Planning Summer Scheme Student Review

I can say that I really enjoyed the internship from all aspects. I really enjoyed having a working 9-5 routine and also the work I undertook was very new and exciting to me, not something I have done a lot of at university. Seeing how the theory taught at university level transfers to real life situations was quite interesting. I had to engage with a lot of planners and councillors via phone calls which I consider an enjoyable task as I was able to talk to different people throughout the course of the internship and meant everyday brought something new. Members of different teams were very welcoming and working with them on different jobs was enjoyable as I was able to see a different side to the company than I had my mind set on.

I feel that I was fully engaged in any work that was happening within the team, projects were always explained well and I got a chance to help in on a few. I was included in conference calls, meetings, lunches and I felt like I really fitted in with my colleagues including my own team and different teams within the office, everyone was extremely friendly and looked on me as a fellow colleague, not a student on placement.

My mentor was a very welcoming and helpful person to be allocated. He is a graduate planner and made no question seem to silly to ask, he was a great peer and someone to look up to. He gave me a sense of support and talked me through every task with no problems.

Every day was different as different colleagues took me to meetings and viewings so I was never bored and felt I had nothing to do over the month. Due to the fact that I had been given a handover report at the beginning of the internship from the Graduate team to be completed at the end of the month it meant that I didn't always have to be focusing on work from my team. If I finished jobs allocated that day I could work on with my own report.

I feel I was given a lot of responsibility as jobs passed onto my mentor from other teams at times were passed directly to me which made me feel valued and that I had the ability to complete the task to a good standard.

I believe the skills I built upon will help me a lot with my degree as I was thrown into the deep end and was hands on from the first day in all aspects of the placement. The internship allowed me to become a lot more confident, enhance my communication skills with colleagues in higher positions than myself and also as I was included in important meets and viewings which forced me to adapt myself to the situation. I have met a lot of people in the property field through this internship which I will hold onto as I progress into a further stage of my studies and also my career in later years.

The atmosphere in the office was relaxed and comfortable, no one in my team and the wider office appeared to be uptight. Everyone got on with their own work and were happy to talk or help any time a problem came about. Friday's were very relaxed sometimes finishing earlier and having a chat or meeting for a drink with other colleagues.

The internship was very well organised from how I seen it. I had contact with the graduate team in London who were helpful and kept you on the right track. There was a mid internship reviews and lunches planned throughout. I always felt very welcome and when I arrived the whole office knew I was coming and very keen to take me to different meetings/viewings and get me involved with everyday work within the company and witness all aspects.

I have been asked a number of times when I could begin full time work and a preference for what office to aid with my graduate scheme application next year which is encouraging. I believe the internship allows you to become familiar to the company and may make you a more appealing applicant but I feel you still have to go through the full interview and application process to give everyone a fair chance. From my time in Savills I feel confident that I would like to undertake my graduate scheme here and begin my future employment under the hands of a well respected and known company.

Yes I built a few friendships that are will last beyond the placement with graduates and colleagues. The girls in the office were extremely welcoming, I had lunch with them everyday and also went for a few after work drinks and enjoyed the Edinburgh fringe together on a couple of occasions. The first Friday of the internship I met the planning graduate from the Glasgow office in Edinburgh and we went to a Young Planners Summer Drinks even which was very sociable and allowed for networking with many different people.

I have lived in Edinburgh for three years and so have become accustomed to the cost of living. Living within close proximity to the office I was able to walk or get the short bus journey which was very beneficial as I wasn't spending a lot of money on transportation.

The Edinburgh nightlife is great especially as I worked through August the Edinburgh Fringe Festival was on meaning the city was always buzzing with endless things to do at night-time. This made for a great excuse to go out with colleagues and get to know each other on a less formal note. There are many nightclubs around the office and smaller bars which served perfect for after work drinks.

For the month I was in the office there has been chat of many different events which are taking place in the coming weeks when I leave. I believe I could have taken part but due to bad timing it couldn't happen. There is talk of a 5K run, a day at the races and whilst I was here an office evening at the fringe seeing a show and having a few drinks with colleagues.