RateMyPlacement and RateMyApprenticeship are now Higherin: Learn More

Higherin

Industrial Placement Student Review

at Mott MacDonald

Placement (10 Months+)

Environmental Science

Bristol

Review Submitted: April 2026

Overall Rating

4.6 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

4/5 - Overview of Role
4.5/5 - Skills Development
4.5/5 - Support and Guidance
5/5 - Company Culture
4.5/5 - Overall Experience
4/5 - Future Career Prospects

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.
I worked within the ecology team as a placement student. I would go on site visits to support surveys and write reports detailing findings of surveys and desk studies to inform planning applications. I was also involved in carrying out desk-based assessments for a variety of purposes - mostly to inform the planning process.
Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
I was given a suitable amount of responsibility for the role I was in. At times where I was given more responsibility, I felt I had the necessary support when I needed it.
Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was
4/5

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?
I have learnt a great deal from my time in this role. Before I started, I had a very limited understanding of the various survey techniques, the role ecology plays in the planning process, legislation surrounding developments and how to write a professional report. I feel that I have developed in all of these areas, and I have also developed an understanding of the corporate world.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
3/5
How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?
5/5
How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development
5/5

Support and Guidance

How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?
I feel that I received a suitable amount of support and guidance during my placement. One of the skills I learnt in this role was knowing when to ask for help.
How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?
5/5
How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?
4/5

Company Culture

What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
There were a lot of grads in the office I worked in and regular organised socials which allowed me to integrate into the office easily. I've gained a lot of good friends from this experience, and I think it's a great place to work as someone early in their career. The company as a whole seems to put a lot of effort into making the workplace a good place to be.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the social opportunities?
5/5
How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
5/5
How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
5/5

Overall Experience

To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
I really enjoyed my placement, I learned a huge amount and loved getting to know all the people in my office. The team I was a part of were very welcoming.
As ecology is a seasonal role, the quieter periods could be a struggle, but this isn't particularly a reflection on the company; it's simply how the industry operates.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on your placement / internship
4/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Mott MacDonald to a friend?
Yes
What advice would you give to others applying to Mott MacDonald
For ecology, demonstrating an understanding of the industry you wish to enter is key. You need to show that you understand the basics of the legislation relevant to the role and that you know what you're signing up for. Being able to integrate into a team is hugely valuable.

Future Career Prospects

Please rate the future employment prospects at Mott MacDonald
4/5
Did you receive an offer to return as a graduate?
Waiting to hear
In This Review
Join Now

Join the Higherin Community

Save Time

Easily add jobs from Higherin or external platforms to keep everything organised.

Personalised Alerts

Get tailored job recommendations and updates straight to your inbox.

Exclusive Features

Access tools like application tracking, deadline reminders, and saved searches.

Stay Ahead

Be the first to know about the latest opportunities and deadlines.

Completely Free

Create an account and unlock powerful features at no cost.