Infrastructure Summer Student Review

The opportunity to undertake a summer placement with the Atkins Ground Engineering department was both a very enjoyable and enhancing experience. The insight that I gained into the Civil Engineering industry confirmed the relevance of the degree that I am currently studying and introduced me to a range of possible career options post-graduation. The responsibility which I was given within projects made my placement a very rewarding experience.

From day one of my placement I was made to feel that my contributions and suggestions were valued by my colleagues as they were always given serious consideration. Despite my undergraduate status, I was treated as an equal within the department and consequently was able to advance my understanding on a daily basis. From discussions with fellow summer students I understanding that this was a common experience across the company.

All members of the department were very helpful and forthcoming with guidance and advice despite having to manage their own workloads and time commitments, including deadlines. The broad spectrum of experience held by individuals across the team, from Graduates to the Head of the department, meant that I was able to benefit from variable perspectives and knowledge on any subject matter.

Workloads flucuated on a daily basis in accordance with work flow and communication between parties of the project delivery chain. However, in contrast to previous industrial placement experience, Atkins has a series of set tasks and exercises for students to undertake during quiet periods. As a result, I was never left idle and was able to constantly increase my technical understanding and industrial awareness.

Over the course of my placement I was involved in a range of active project work. This presented the opportunity to both apply my pre-existing knowledge on some tasks whilst developing my understanding of entirely new concepts on others. The degree of responsibility that I was given within the team was varied accordingly however my contributions were consistently valued and in turn, rewarding.

The experience that I have gained from my industrial placement has enabled me to develop on both a professional and personal level. Transferable time management and communication skills together with the ability to prioritise my workload wll prove benefical with University deadlines. In addition, I have acquired a technical awareness of theoretical concepts learnt over the course of my studies to date and will more readily appreciate the relevance of future modules.

The working environment benefitted from an open-plan office layout which promoted communication between colleagues and generated a genuine sense of approachability for all individuals, regardless of seniority. The range of ages and spectrum of experience combined to create a diverse yet cohesive and friendly atmosphere. The office struck a good balance between productivity and social activity making each working day enjoyable.

The company runs an annual placement scheme for summer students and consequently the whole process is very well organised. From application, Atkins maintains excellent and prompt communication utilising an effective online system to management paperwork and placement details. All the members of the HR team that I encountered were very helpful and ensured that I was well-informed on the main aspects of office life enabling me to rapidly settle into the working environment. This was further supported by the comprehensive and extremely useful induction process which is mandatory for all new starters. The whole placement was very well organised and a very positive and enriching experience as a result.

Atkins has a well-established and successful training scheme in place to aid young graduates in achieving professional qualification. The same guidance together with the majority of development opportunities are extended to students. This early introduction to the qualification process will enable me to proactively work towards my own personal development objectives post-graduation and in the process increase my understanding of the industry and the potential career path opportunities that it presents.

At the time of my placement, I was one of five summer students gaining industrial experience with the ground engineering department. The company makes a point of making you aware of, and introducing you to fellow undergraduates as part of the office induction and in so doing promotes social interaction outside of project teams. In addition, there was a well-established socialising culture within the office, including regular Friday lunchtime meal outings. Consequently, my summer placement benefitted from a good balance of working and socialising opportunities.

I undertook my placement at Atkins' office in Epsom, Surrey. The area is generally associated with a high cost of living due to its proximity to London however there was plenty of opportunity to minimise costs with care and local knowledge. On a daily basis, my commute benefitted from the use of my Student Railcard on peak fares during the Summer months and I was able to save money by making my own lunch. When attending social events, I was guaranteed value for money owing to the previous experiences of my permanent working colleages who would readily give an honest review on any suggested establishment.

The size of the Atkins Epsom office is such that there are a range of social activites available to all employees, including students. These mostly involved outdoor pursuits and sporting activites, exploiting the range of facilities in Epsom and the immediate surrounding area. Blanket e-mails were regularly circulated around the office informing you of new participation opportunities and challanges, including a Great British Bake-Off style competition.