Summer Placement Student Review

I enjoyed my two month placement with Atkins as it allowed me to apply knowledge gained from my university course to practical applications. I was also given the opportunity to learn how to use new computer software which will help in my future career and will also improve my employability prospects.

I felt useful as several colleagues had recently left which meant there was no one in the office able to use Revit, so because I had the time I learnt how to use the software and could then help editing drawings for several projects. However there were times when I felt more of a hindrance as it would take a colleague the same amount of time to explain to me how to do a task as it would for them to do it themselves.

I was allocated a 'buddy' on arriving at Atkins who was a recent graduate. They were my first port of call if I had any problems or questions. They also would allocate me work to do. If my 'buddy' had no work for me I worked with a chartered engineer within the department. My line manager also occasionally checked on me to make sure I was busy and was enjoying myself

The office was quiet as a project had just finished so no one had much work on and even less that could be given to me because of my lack of skills and security clearance. However everyone in my department would give me any little bits of work that they thought I could do and I managed to keep myself busy by learning new computer software.

I was trusted to check technical drawings and make alterations to the online master copies. I also worked alongside qualified engineers on calculations and was left to do my own research into alternative technologies that may be used within the project to solve existing problems. I ran several work placement days with secondary school pupils.

I was able to apply knowledge gained from my university course to practical applications and learnt new skills which I will study in the following years, giving me a head start. I was also given the opportunity to learn how to use new computer software which will help in my future career and will also improve my employability prospects.

The atmosphere in the office was good. It was a large building, with four large offices containing different departments but everyone seemed to know, and get along with each other. Everyone was really friendly towards me and within my department we would take it in turns to make drinks for others and bring in cakes each week.

The placement was not that well organised as the work I had depended on the official work within the department during my time with them. They also did not seem to be sure how long I was staying for or who was responsible for me, however as this is my second placement with them we soon fell into the same routine that had been established last summer.

They paid for the computer software that I needed to work on and spent time teaching me new skills that would be useful in my future studies and career. They also explained to me the process involved in becoming a chartered engineer and helped me record any relevant experiences that I can put towards gaining the qualification.

Future employment prospects with Atkins are appealing as the have a good graduate scheme and a clear career progression. However the whole company has just had a worldwide organisational restructure and the office was warned people will be moved about and they may not employ anyone new for the next year.

There was a social group for new employees within engineering companies in the area, but as far as I could tell it wasn't very established and had few members. They're weren't any other placement students withing my department and any that were else where in the office kept to themselves. However my colleagues were good friends and would meet up outside of work to go the cinema or do sport.

As I was able to live at home during my placement I didn't have to consider the cost of living. However I was based in the North West of Cumbria with is a cheap place to live and I know rent isn't extortionate. However Sellafield is close by which brings in well paid workers and the Lake District is near by which can slightly bring up the cost of getting a house.

If you are wanting to go to a club you will need to travel about 30 minutes by car. However because of this most towns near by have several pubs that are always busy and often have live music. I wouldn't recommend West Cumbria as the place to have a placement if you enjoy lively nightlife but Atkins has placements all over which will be near better nightlife.

No work ran activities but the local area where my placement was is amazing is you enjoy outdoor activities. The Lake District is on the doorstep where you can go fell walking, sailing, kayaking, paragliding, mountain biking to name but a few. There are cinemas and theaters but there isn't much 'culture' is that's what you're after.