Assistant Cost Consultant Review

I really enjoyed my placement, there has been a huge variation of activities and I think that I have been given a good level of responsibility. It has been a good mix of being able to go on site and see how my work actually fits into the wider aspect of construction, and also being in the office. One thing that I would change, is to be given a more consistent flow of work, I find that there are times where I am not doing very much at all.

I feel really valued by my colleagues, I think that I have been well integrated into the team and that the work that I have been completing has been appreciated and valued. Many of those on the graduate programme have also been very thoughtful to include their revision sessions and also send us relevant material that could be useful for our time here.

My managers and supervisors gave me a lot of support, I would have liked to have met with my line manager more, but unfortunately he was too busy a lot of the time. Other managers have been really good, always really easy to approach and talk to whenever I have a question but they are also clear with what they need you to do.

On a daily basis, how busy I was fluctuated greatly, sometimes I would have loads of work to do which is great, and I would be working on lots of things. However other days would be incredibly quiet and I've had almost nothing to do. A lot of the time it was up to me to go and ask around to see if there was anything I could do for people. It would be good if there was a more structured plan of work for the whole placement.

I think that I was given a good level of responsibility and I think that I have been trusted with lots of activities which is really good and means that I have learnt more. But, also I don't think that I have been put in a position of too much responsibility for my level and so I have been stretched but still within what I am comfortable with.

The skills that I have developed will really help with my studies because I have seen the 'theory' put into practice and so I can put a picture to what I do and continue to do. I now have a much better understanding of a lot of the processes that a QS actually does.

The office atmosphere is generally very friendly, everyone is easy to talk to. There are times where it is pretty quiet and focused and there are other times where it is chatty and people are having a bit of a laugh. It is also a good atmosphere to work in.

It has been well organized and lots of support and inductions etc. However, there are times where there is very little work set up for us and so it can be very quiet. I like that it has a buddy system and so it has a person we can easily go to get work and also get help with any general things.

The company have invested some time into training and development particularly in understanding the APC. There have been several occasions where they have invited us to either graduate revision sessions or along to the training work shops. So there has been a good level of thinking about our futures and investing in us to a certain extent. Apart from that it is very much on the job training - learning as we go.

They are really appealing on several levels. The company has a great graduate programme of which the summer placement programme can follow on from. But also, from what I have heard there are lots of opportunities to progress within the company and so this is very appealing to me.

There is not a very good social scene. There has been one or two social things between all the placement students but so far that is it. It would be nice to have a lot more opportunities to have 'networking drinks' so that we get to know each other better and to the point that we can organize things for ourselves.

It has been extremely expensive to live here, the transport into work has also been very expensive. Most of the places that you can go to socialize are also really, really expensive. To afford to socialize you just have to limit the socializing that you do, which is a shame, but again that is just the nature of the location.

The nightlife in the area I work is really good, there are lots of places to go either 'out, out' or just out to bars/pubs/eating out. There is also a huge variety of different themed places and so you can carry on having fun, and try lots of new places!

Yes there were several volunteering activities that was offered to us apart from that nothing else. However, having not been at the placement for a very long time I am sure there are more opportunities available once you have been at the company longer and meet more people.