Project Engineer Review

In general I did enjoy my placement. It brought me a lot of experience in all aspects of my self development like communication, report writing, engineering skills and so on.

People in the company are very friendly and always asked if they saw something unusual happening to me. Colleagues also care about your future and trying to teach not only work related information but also to give some every-day tips. I really thought that the Allelys office became my second family.

In the beginning I was required assistance everywhere since I was new not just in the company but in entire industry. Eventually I learned all standards and rules of the company and was asking questions only in special occasions. I could find support at any time with any question even if it was personal.

Every day I was doing something important and work related. I was always asking for more work if the previous were finished and I had couple hours before the end of the day. But when I had some free-time I was allowed to do my coursework or (when that was finished) read the book.

I started with very simple drawings which eventually were checked and revised anyway. In couple months I started to write RAMS and communicate with clients and local authorities. At the half term (6-7 months) I had my own project as an engineer and finally last month or so I was independently representing the project manager at site and was leading the project.

The knowledge which received during my placement probably are the most important from the last 5 years of my high education. Being at industry and have possibility to see everything on my own eyes, made me understand what I really need to achieve in next couple years. During my placement year I developed my skills in AutoCAD more than I done during two years of the university. I also learned a lot about Health and Safety in Construction industry and other important legislation. I learned couple new software and learned how to write RAMS. But the most important, I think for me was the improvement of my communication skills and English language.

The atmosphere was very friendly and sometimes we could joke for a couple hours to make our work more entertaining. But of course everyone knew the limits and when the fun should stop.

For the Allelys Group it is very new, to have placement student. My year was their second year of having students on placement and while I was there my manager was trying to write the guide for new engineers. Even then I always could get an assistance and help.

I had all sorts of training same as the project manager (apart of first aid course). I had my CSCS card done and had Health and Safety one-day course. I had 2-day course at the electrical station site to get my National Grid card. I also get some advices for my driving licence when it wasn't part of my placement requirements. And of course they give a lot of training about office work and Allelys documentation system.

I really would like to come back and work for the full time. I think this all what can be said.

I had very good relationship with all workers, not only office-based or students. During my placement there also was my course-mate from university and we became very friendly and even had made a group together after we were back to uni.

I was living in the same place as during the university years, so for me the only difference was travel expenses. The travel took my about 2.5 hours by public transport and about £12 a day. After I got my driving licence and bought a car (which wasn't as cheap as train at the end) I was spending about £40-50 per week for petrol, but it took me only 45 minutes to get to the office. So I would't say that it was very cheap, but cheaper than cancel the rent contract and change the city only for one year.

I am not a fan of the Nightlife so I am really aware about it.

I had about 3-4 hours a day at the weekdays before I went to bed, so I was spending that time for reading or hobbies. My usual weekend wasn't much different from when I was at uni, so I could meet with my friends,go to cinema and so on.