Summer student Review

Enjoyed a lot - I got a mixed variety of work from checking documents to making drawings to send to the client. I also would work out what sized wires would be using to follow the wiring regs. The regulations are a big part of the industry and it was good to get an insight + get trained in them.

I was put onto a team working on a project in my second week, where I'd make changes to some of the drawings and after a few weeks was contributing in group meetings. They all were really cheerful and were always grateful for someone to make corrections/ to act as a fresh set of eyes on a drawing.

My line manager (part of the EC&I department) and I had meetings when I first started, a week in, half way through and at the end of my placement. Any help I've needed I could go to him or the manager of my other team and they'd be able to point me in the right direction. A lot of the problems I had were queries with the wiring regulations, and they'd lend their wiring regs book or notes.

The start was slow - lots of paperwork and induction materials (generic corporate stuff that seems to be in every larger company regardless) telling me the risks of an office job. After that I got put onto a team and the project was interesting, and I had work a good 70-80% of the time, however if my line manager was off I'd find myself looking back over induction stuff. As with a lot of consultancies there will be times when there is no work and the office mood drops, and towards the end we weren't working on any projects. The manager however set us projects to work through to give us more experience and practice however, which was useful especially when there was nothing else to do!

I was responsible for one section of drawings on the design and kept checking these to ensure the most recent revision was the live one. I also would work on projects just like any other member of a team and if I hadn't done something before I'd get shown a bit of it before doing the rest myself.

reports - I've had a lot of experience in writing and checking technical reports, which is one of the big things you will be doing in industry (so a very useful skill). Wiring regulations - this placement has effectively been an 10 week crash course in the regs (BS 7671) and its an almost essential skill if you go into working in an electrical power/ HV proffesion.

The atmosphere for the majority was great, as it was alive with activity and always busy. Other departments would be coming in to ask questions and going for meetings and you got to know people pretty quickly. The end slacked a bit due to the project finishing and contractors going back home, but this is generic of a lot of energy related consultancies at the moment (look at oil and gas) and on the overall it was good.

Although there was no official scheme, we had work to do with regards to projects and to doing training for this too. We also got an arrivals and leavers checklist, to ensure we'd done certain things by the first day, week, month, and by leaving. The HR and LD departments provided lots of useful tools for this, and have an obvious scheme in place.

Lots of E learning and videos, and manuals to work through, and the opportunity for learning events too. If you were here for a year there would be more need for other training like site visits and surveying skills, but they would be offered if you needed them. Access to AutoCAD/ software training online through the companies intranet too.

There's a graduate scheme in place and I think its meant to stand in good favour if you've worked here before. The managers are always up for getting undergraduates to come back once graduated, and its a good way for them to try and get you to do this. I wouldn't mind coming back in the future, but maybe try and get a few placements with atkins on secondment (at other sites) to get some experience in different environments/ sectors first.

Lots of graduates, placement and work experience students, and apprentices. Also a good community feel created by all the colleagues. The Whitehaven offices have a really welcoming atmosphere, and there's a mix of different backgrounds and ages which means the office has a good diversity. you get to know the people pretty quickly and work put good socials on too.

There are many supermarkets nearby, but these aren't open 24/7 like in larger towns, and as I used to travel home on weekends, I'd get back on sundays before 5pm to find only a petrol service station open to get food supplies. Also, nowhere seems to be open after 5pm weekdays apart from the supermarkets (which is annoying as amazon has made a killing from me when I haven't been able to try on the walking boots and have got the wrong size). Prices are similar to other surrounding touristy areas, but the bars aren't that expensive, and there's plenty of them.

Allthough theres only a few clubs in Whitehaven, work put on socials to surrounding areas fully paid for (lift, food, booze) and they're great nights out. They put money behind the bar at pubs and host many events like triathlons and golf. I miss city nights out but they're still fun over here, and a good laugh to see your colleagues out of work.

Not a lot is open in Whitehaven, Workington or cockermouth when I finish work apart from a few gyms and supermarkets, so I usually head back to my room and sleep, or go out to see people. Most of the people in office are contractors, so work a bit later and leave for home on a Friday early, and even though you don't get chance to do much in the evenings, its nice to get back on a Friday early.