Industrial Trainee Review

My role involved producing Geotechnical and geo-environmental reports and desk studies on various projects such as flood alleviation schemes, nature park restorations and waste disposal facilities. Often I would spend time reviewing internal and external resources which will then be formatted and typed up into these reports and reviewed. This involved looking at contamination, geotechnical appraisals and producing a final risk register which summarises the hazards for this particular site.

I was given lots of responsibility. Most often I would be given a task and I would make a start on it based on previous examples of work similar to what I am supposed to be doing. I would work on this until I get to something I don't understand and it would be thoroughly explained by a member of my team and all work would be reviewed so it reaches the company standard.

I have developed my report writing skills and how to fully optimise software such as Bluebeam, word and excel.
I have also learned various digital skills such as the use of ArcGIS Pro, gINT and Leapfrog. These have helped to produce appropriate and professional figures for use by clients. I also have discovered various useful websites to review geological and geotechnical conditions observed from previous research and how to properly apply it to my work.

Throughout my time, I was also given a lot of support. There is a Moodle page dedicated to developing skills and learning new things, so this was useful when I was starting on the placement. I also had a great team around me that were always a quick chat, message or call away from helping me with my work. They would always sit down with me and go through anything I didn't understand.

Everyone on the team made an effort to introduce themselves when I arrived and I was always offered help by anyone that I asked. The atmosphere at the job was very relaxed but focused and everyone was friendly.

The placement has been very enjoyable and rewarding. I have enjoyed most things I have worked and it has helped me to develop skills for my final year of University. I have enjoyed working in a team of like-minded people who are interested in similar things to me.

Yes