Placement Student Review

It is a small, top heavy team where we all do the same type of work but each director specialises in different sectors e.g. industrial, retail. This means I work in all sectors to support each director by conducting market research, drafting reports and emails, calculating values and going on site visits to measure and inspect properties across the country; among other tasks.

I was given a huge amount of responsibility and free reign. My team are very 'anti-micromanagement' and therefore allow and rely on me to complete work to my best ability but also expect me to voice any concerns, question or if I am struggling to complete the task. I have a lot of responsibility in planning site visits, researching, preparing and presenting legal updates to keep the team informed on legislative changes and case studies and also responsible for the research and data that underpins their work.

I have developed skills and knowledge based on my past experience and first two year at university which have been excelled this year. I have become more confident when meeting new people especially in a professional manner and even in a personable manner during networking events and more confident in every day tasks such as solo traveling across the country using public transport and confidence in my ability and work. I have also developed professional skills such as legal reading and understanding, presenting and professional writing.

Initially, I do feel like there could have been more support and guidance at the beginning of the placement. I do not think my team had prepared to train me at all or realise how much or how little I would know of certain aspects of the work. The majority of initial learning I had was through my own research or by listening to the directors on the phone / reading emails I was coped in to in order to understand how the processes worked.

I think parts of the atmosphere and company culture were good but sometimes you do feel a bit on the outside as a placement. It feels very 'busy' a lot of the time so it is difficult to spend time meeting new people and developing friendships within the business.

I do enjoy my placement but i think the lack of diversity within my team makes it difficult sometimes. I am the only woman in my team on top of all the team being directors with no middle management makes it difficult to fully be myself sometimes.

Yes