Placement Review at Arup

The Role

Role Description

Arup encourage their employees to develop multi-disciplinary skills working within the mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls and automation (MEICA). The Leeds office mainly deals with water based projects and the MEICA team has two main focuses; water and energy.

Water:
During my placement year I worked mainly on water projects involving water treatment works (WTW), wastewater treatment works (WwTW) and pumping stations. Undertaking M&E surveys, checking electrical drawings, witnessing MCC FAT tests and writing electrical tender scope of works.

Energy:
I was involved in several energy projects involving wind turbine (WTG) and hydro generation projects.

Wind Turbine Feasibility - Wind speed analysis, grid connection design & costing and civil engineering works costing. Consultation with microwave communication link operators, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Defence.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - detail site constraints that affect the number of turbines on a site and their layout, prepare and modify drawings.

Hydro-generation Feasibility - application of basic fluid dynamics for technical investigations of potential hydro sites. Asses viability of a hydro scheme involving input from mechanical and civil engineering specialists within Arup, obtaining quotes from turbine manufacturers, analysing and criticising assumptions laid out in pre-feasibility report.

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

A steep learning curve for time management but an excellent introduction to the world of engineering consultancy. Really friendly atmosphere to work in.

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Placement students represent a cheap source of labour and are treated well to so they are inclined to help out on as many projects as possible.

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Guidance was easily sought. However emphasis is made on managing your own workload efficiently. Technical enquiries were also easily resolved.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Slow start to the year but picked up and balanced out towards the end. Time management is greatly improved to understand when to line up new work.

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Communication with clients, finalising and issuing of reports and completing technical evaluations can directly affect a projects outcome.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Seeing how theory learnt during a degree is applied in industry first hand.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Friendly atmosphere, loads of biscuits going round, good balance of young and experienced employees.

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Well facilitated by HR although the direction and outcome of the placement is mainly determined by the student.

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

CPD presentations mainly ocured during lunch times (unpaid but free lunch). H+S construction training provided. Site visits organised for introduction to industry and processes. Software training. Most training provided in house to minimise cost to company.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

• Financial Bonus

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Annual sponsorship for rest of uni and offer of graduate position.

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Majority of placement students were based in London/Bristol. However it was easy to get involved in the graduates social scene in Leeds.

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Cheap student housing rife in Leeds. City centre apartments are expensive. Lots of cheap restaurants, bars and clubs.

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Something to do every night. Often too much choice. Leeds is like a downscaled London with all the social benefits but without the huge crowds.

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Lots of sports and volunteering activities organised by people from work.

Review 3/5 for Arup

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