in town retail agency Review

I enjoyed my insight programme with Savills, due to the range and diversity of tasks that were set for me to complete. I was given enough freedom to be able to complete the work in the way that suited me best but also in a way that my graduate wanted it to be done in. I was easily accepted and felt like I was part of my team during my week.

I feel like my work for the company has actually been used and even if my mentor has had to double check my work, and amend a few details, it has been sent to a client which makes you feel very valued both within my team but also to the office as a whole.

Due to having some previous work experience, my mentor would give me the guidance and support at the start of the task set, but would ultimately leave me to be able to complete my own work. He was however readily available if I had any problems or questions relating to the scheme, and each task was set out clearly

I feel that the real world examples that are easily relatable and clearly explained provide a back up to the theories that are discussed within my degree studies. I also feel that some of the contacts that I have met during my time, will be valuable to me in the future. The task that were set will provide useful in future potential coursework

Overall, I feel that my schedule for the week was clearly set out, and my mentor (even though he was only told a few weeks before) was able to provide me with a range of tasks that would appear in his day to day. My biggest issue with the structuring was the online departmental overviews from which many did not work and was a waste of time for those in the regional offices

I felt that the atmosphere was a very accepting and friendly, I was treated as a graduate and not as someone doing work experience, as the work set was current on-going projects rather than looking over previous cases. The convocations around the office both work and social related were open to allow me to get involved.

The company invested its time into me, which is a rather valuable asset. Most members of the office gave me the time to sit down and talk, in order to pass on both their experiences and advice that I believe will prove to be vital in the future. It is also beneficial as your name is now on the companies lists.

I have defiantly seen the day to day workings of the graduate working at Savills, not only within my team but at the other teams who have been accepting and allowed me to experience their daily tasks. It is vital that you understand what are the typical jobs that are needed to be completed rather than just the high end deals that some may expect.

I believe that there is a variety of cultures depending upon which office you are based in. Asking some of the graduates or older members of the firm, there is a clear difference between the regional offices and those who work in London. Even within the regions there is a difference such as between Leeds who are all based in one office compared to Manchester who are split into two.

At this point in my career, understanding what my options are, is once again vital to giving me a direction to drive towards. I has a slight idea to which are to work within before the insight programme but now I feel that I have a better idea of where my line of work will take me. Overall, thanks to the other members of the office that helped to decide which areas can be ruled out.

I was reimbursed my expenses for the week, however as I did not get either my first or second choice of office, I had to stay in a hotel for the week which cost more than the maximum value of my reimbursement. Therefore any extra expenses for the week came out of my pocket rather than being able to recover my costs.

At the start of the week, I was introduced to all the other members of the office which gave me a chance to put names to faces. On Thursday there was also a meet and greet lunch which was very useful as various head of departments talked about their work, what path they took to get there and any advice that they gave to me. I was also invited out with members of my team for lunch in order to get to know them better. However it may have been beneficial to meet other graduates from different firms that work in the same area as that is who are useful contacts to have outside the business.

If you are considering a career in property, then this programme is very insightful to the workings of a graduate surveyor