Placement student - Quantity Surveying Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my work placement with Costain. It was a well rounded experience where I was able to meet and get to know a variety of people from different disciplines. I enjoyed my work because I could put skills I had learned in university into practice. I also enjoyed time getting to know my colleagues who were a pleasure to learn from and work with.

My colleagues made me feel a part of the team instantly, all offering their help and assistance if I ever required it. I would often spend dinner with my commercial team, or with other team members on the project. I received positive feedback from colleagues regarding completed work so this gave me a true feeling of adding value to the team.

My supervisors were extremely helpful during my placement offering me help and advice throughout my tasks. I feel I was taught in a way that encouraged me to use my initiative to think of innovation I could implement in not only my tasks but across all areas of the project. In addition to help with tasks I received a lot of guidance in terms of career direction which was greatly appreciated and helpful.

During my placement I was always keen to keep as busy as possible so as to make the most of my placement. My supervisor would prepare tasks for me as there was always something to do. If I had any time in between completing tasks and waiting for my next one I would assist the team with their tasks or complete my student innovation tasks I was assigned.

During my placement I was given tasks that would have an a direct affect on targets that were set for us to achieve. I felt a great deal of responsibility to complete my tasks on time so that information from my tasks could be passed to the relevant team members with no delay. This made me feel I held a high level of responsibility.

I feel that this placement has helped me gain a deeper understanding of the construction world and has helped broaden my knowledge of what peoples roles and responsibilities are on a typical project. It helped me gain an understanding what sort of tasks and challenges a commercial is faced with and how to deal with challenges in the work place. I feel this hands on experience has already helped a lot with my studies and has enabled to approach tasks in a new, work based way.

The general atmosphere in my office was that of a fun, focused, collaborative and honest nature. Everyone was very professional and always willing to help each other out if needed. I felt very comfortable approaching people to discuss problems with tasks I was given. There was a real team spirit in the office and everyone worked towards the same goal.

My overall work placement was set up very well once a project had been found for me to work on. My tasks were communicated to me very clearly and concisely. My student innovation tasks were set up in a very professional manner, as we were given a week by week planner to work through which led up to a final presentation.

My personal training and development was developed by the company very well. It started with a very informative induction about site health and safety and things to be aware of. I also went to workshops which involved me rating my experiences and thoughts in a group which were reflected on powerpoint bar charts to identify what areas I could develop myself. I also made use of the company's free online courses that they offered, especially ones on sustainability.

Future employment prospects are extremely appealing to me and I am very keen to get onto the company's graduate scheme. I was able to get a sponsorship from Costain and so will be looking to go on a summer placement with them again next summer after completing my second year of university. I look forward to spending more time with Costain.

I didn't really have any interaction with any other placement students whilst on my placement. I was the only placement student in the commercial team. There was a good social scene with my colleagues as we went to an event Costain had organised that would involve team building and provide information about future prospects. We also went for a team meal before the event as well as a meal for when I had completed my placement.

I lived in a very sociable area but didn't venture out much as I was saving money to take into my second year of university.

I didn't really venture out as I was saving for my second year of university.

Yes there were charitable events and social events you could get involved in.