Summer Placement Student Review

My role was a Summer Placement Student within the Development South team at WSP, based in the Southampton office. Throughout my placement, I supported civil engineering projects related to drainage design, flood risk assessment, and infrastructure development. My responsibilities included carrying out engineering calculations, preparing technical drawings and reports, analysing site and survey data, and using industry software such as Civil 3D.

Yes, I was given a good level of responsibility throughout my internship. I started with smaller tasks to build my understanding and confidence, but quickly progressed to taking on more responsibility and contributing to a range of projects.
I particularly enjoyed learning from different colleagues and managers, which gave me valuable insight into the industry. Everyone I worked with was approachable, helpful, and kind, creating a very supportive environment. My people manager was always willing to answer any questions I had, no matter how simple or complex, which made a huge difference to my learning and development.

Yes, I have developed both new and existing skills during my internship. I improved my technical skills by working with industry software, carrying out engineering calculations, and contributing to live projects. I also gained experience in report writing, problem-solving, and communicating with colleagues across different teams.

I received a lot of support and guidance throughout my placement. Everyone I worked with was approachable, helpful, and always willing to answer questions or explain new concepts. My people manager was particularly supportive and encouraged me to ask questions, no matter how simple or complex they were. This helped me build confidence, develop my skills, and make the most of the experience. The supportive environment made it easy to learn from others and gain a better understanding of the industry.

The company culture was very positive and welcoming. I particularly appreciated the balance between remote and office working, which provided flexibility while still allowing opportunities to come together in person and build meaningful professional relationships. Everyone was friendly, approachable, and willing to help, which created a supportive atmosphere and made it easy to learn from others and feel part of the team.

I enjoyed it so much that I have chosen to return to the company for a Year in Industry placement, which reflects how positive and beneficial I found the experience.

Yes