Building Surveyor Review

I have learnt so much during my time at the company as well as greatly enjoying all the tasks I have been assigned. I have especially enjoyed the site visits as I was then able to link the theory knowledge I have gained from university with that of the roles of a Building Surveyor such as seeing a variety of different types of buildings.

I felt like the work I was doing was useful and helpful to my colleagues in the office. Everyone was very friendly and wanted to know more about what area of the industry I would like to enter as well as giving me advice for when I graduate from university. This included why I wanted to enter into the industry, and what path I could see myself going into.

I was assigned a variety of new tasks which I had no knowledge of how to complete prior to starting the placement. After first attempting the task on my own, if I wasn't sure what I was doing was correct or needed the task explaining, everyone was very happy to assist so I could learn how to do the task successfully.

I have learnt valuable skills of working and interacting with new people, all from different backgrounds and of different ways to getting into building surveying. I have also learnt a lot of essential knowledge which I didn't know prior to starting the placement which I can apply in my final year at university but also once I graduate, especially that of commercial pathology which I found especially interesting.

The insight was quite structured in that I was able to undertake a variety of tasks as well as work with a number of different individuals on various projects. We also had a catch-up meeting with the organisers of the summer scheme mid way through the placement to ensure that we felt comfortable.

The general atmosphere was friendly and welcoming during my insight as everyone was happy to interact and chat to me about what I was doing. Everyone was very busy with projects they were undertaking and so were very happy for any help that I could offer. I found that in both offices I worked at, the atmosphere did differ in being in a small office than a large open plan one however and that the larger one was more comfortable for me to be in.

During the summer scheme, there was the opportunity to do development training for different departments, set-up by the summer scheme. Unfortunately due to site visits and other arrangements my mentor had arranged, I was only able to attend the first and the last overview which had technical issues. During the site visits I attended however, I was taught how to conduct differing survey types and why these were necessary. I found these to be very beneficial to my personal development.

During my placement, I had the opportunity to work with a recent graduate working on the APC programme. He talked me through his first two years as well as the APC programme he was on. He allowed me to find out about the APC as well as the level of support you receive compare to a smaller firm (which he started his APC at).

During my time at the firm, I have taken part in the dress-down Friday practice for charity, I have also learnt of many of the other charity events typical throughout the year at Savills (such as the company relay triathlon). I have also learnt of the variety of network events and teambuilding activities planned throughout the year for employees at Savills.

During my placement, I have had the opportunity to experience the varying roles a surveyor undertakes, such as pre-acquisition surveys, RCAs, dilapidation surveys, client meeting, party wall surveys and project works. These are all typical of the works in a commercial surveying practice and so I now understand what working in a large surveying practice will consist of. However, I will need experience in residential to help me choose which I prefer.

I was paid the equivalent monthly salary of a year placement student, who was employed at the firm for a placement year. This included two compulsory days holiday. I am also to be reimbursed for any expenses that I have spent when going out on site visits, such as travel and food expenses.

In the four weeks I was at the firm, I went out with colleagues from both Birmingham offices (Innovation Court and The Exchange where I spent my third week). As well as this, I have also been out for coffee with various team members to discuss my time at the firm as well as where I would like to be employed at once I graduate.

The networking and social event activities allowed me to interact with fellow colleagues on a social basis where I was able to ask them how they came to do Building Surveying and the path they took to get here. I also was able to ask how they found starting the firm and if they would recommend me joining the firm.

Yes, I found out about the team building days out planned, in particular the trips to the Races, where they can network and socialise with surveyors from across the country. Another teambuilding exercise I learned of was the walk up Snowdon for both Birmingham offices. I was also told of the annual Christmas party which was always planned as a trip to a different country.

I would definitely recommend this insight to a friend. This is because, whilst I have only been at the firm for four weeks, I have experienced many of the different roles that a surveyor undertakes by going on site as well as being involved in the works in the afterwards to see what happens then. I have been encouraged to ask questions and learn as much as possible which I can say I have in the time I have spent here.