Planning team Review

Really enjoyed the placement, was good to get an insight not only into planning as a profession, but also into how the workplace functions, which I had little experience before.The team were also very welcoming which put me at ease and made me more comfortable working with them. Also, the tasks I was asked to do were interesting and seemed to contribute to work the team was doing.

I felt extremely valued during my placement largely due to the level of responsibility I was given in carrying out tasks that were actually useful to the team. I was also invited on a site visit and asked for my input on the site and its potential. I was also sent tasks to do by members of teams in other offices which made me feel valued.

I received an appropriate amount of guidance during my placement. Whereby I was sent tasks to do with clear instruction and my mentor made sure I knew what I was doing and helped if I needed it. We also worked together on a few tasks that were perhaps more difficult. I also had many opportunities to talk about the company and the work they do, as well as opportunity to discuss my dissertation topic with team members who might be able to help.

I will take away many skills from this placement. Firstly, the understanding of the day to day activities of a planning consultant and an understanding of how consultancy operates. Secondly, an understanding of how planning professionals operate with clients. And thirdly, an understanding of the process of consultancy. I have also experienced submitting a planning application for the first time and putting together policy and market research appraisals. These skills and understanding will not only help towards assessment within my degree, but also in my future career.

The insight programme was very well structured with tasks and site visits being organised around the conference call talks that I could listen in to from London. Meeting with other graduates was also well organised allowing everyone to attend. My only criticism was of the talks in London, some were excellent however some were very tailored to the students in London, with a largely London focus to the topics. In addition, on my first day I was given a breakdown of work that I would be focussing on for the week and given on-going tasks to do throughout the week if I had finished more urgent work, which was very useful if I needed to fill an hour or so at the end of the day.

The atmosphere was very positive, with a warm welcoming from my team and beyond. The working environment was comfortable and productive, with help readily available when needed from a variety of people. The lunch and graduate meeting were very enjoyable and informative in gaining information about the role and advice for my future and university work in a relaxed setting.

I felt as though the team wanted to help and familiarise me with the profession and were keen to get me involved in tasks they were doing so I could learn on a practical level. They were also keen to share knowledge about employment and advice on the application process and which was encouraging and I felt that they were keen to help me with my future.

Insight was very helpful in providing an understanding of what it would be like to have a full time position within the company. I was treated as part of the team and encouraged to get involved in meeting other members of the office. I became confident in using email to contact who I needed to. I was also shown around the office so I felt comfortable working there for the week..

I was heavily encouraged to get to know other graduates in the company, who appeared to have a strong bond between each other, but also to get to know managers, so I had a range of contacts throughout the week. Also carrying out tasks like the other members of the team were doing allowed me to feel that I fitted in with the office. People also addressed me like I was a member of the team and gave me responsibility like I was part of the team which helped in gaining an understanding of how the company works together.

The content of the day was very helpful in deciding my future career path, as it gave me an insight into what the company deals with and what you are expected to be able to do yourself. Also it made me feel more comfortable about workloads, which seem to be manageable and there is help available if you need it. Also the talk on graduate opportunities was particularly useful in getting to know the exact process of recruitment and tips for the interview and CV. Importantly the insight made me realise what path I wanted to follow in my career and what would be involved in this process, so I could prepare in advance.

I was appropriately reimbursed expenses.

There were significant opportunities for networking and meeting other employees, whereby my mentor introduced me to the team I would be working with, who individually helped me with tasks. I also had the opportunity to work with managers directly. Meeting the other graduates in the company was also well arranged and attended, which felt welcoming.

They were very enjoyable and informative, whilst also relaxed and informal. There was a friendly atmosphere to connect with people who had been in the same position previously and opportunities to discuss their career paths and they were keen to give advice. The opportunity to meet people in other teams was very useful as well to gain an insight into their working life and the day to day tasks they were responsible for.

I understood there were various activities which could be attended outside of work, from sports teams, to lunches, events and even charity events. It seems that these are well promoted through the email system and encouraged within the office, with good levels of attendance. There also seems to be synergy between the regional offices with mixing well encouraged through company wide events as well as smaller activates on-going in smaller offices.

I would absolutely recommend this insight to a friend, the work I have been carrying out appeared to be useful and valuable to the team and exceeded my expectations. The level of responsibility was appropriate and help was readily available when it was needed. The insight into company life was invaluable and the opportunities to gain information were excellent. Also, opportunities to get involved with the social side of the office were well encouraged and experiencing this was very useful in gaining an insight into working full time for this company.