Summer Scheme Student Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my time working at Savills during the Summer Scheme I carried out in July in the planning team. This was due to the work load I was set, the office environment and the people in the office who are happy to help me develop my understanding of the UK's planning system.

My colleagues were welcoming from my first day, and as my time went on the team members were able to help me develop skills and understanding of projects which meant I was able to be involved and carry out tasks for them which were needed due to the large amount of work which they had over the summer leading up to submitting applications on behalf of clients.

The graduate and mentor I was assigned helped me settle in on my first few days, and arranged a "driving tour" for me to see sites that the team had recently done planning applications for and on some occasions we were able to see completed developments which were a result of these. I was also assisted in tasks if I needed any help, and advice on the APC.

Every day I had tasks to complete, either due to asking directors myself if there was anything I could help out on, to working continually with other directors on onoing projects which meant that I had work to do every day, as well as attending meetings, my assigned internship project and site visits.

After I had been assigned a piece of work to do it was trusted that I would be able to complete it to the highest standard and within a time period. Due to the team being top heavy, with more directors than graduates, I felt that smaller pieces of work wee able to be passed down to assist them in their work for clients.

This past month has aided my understanding of the planning process from a large consultancy's perspective immensely. Following my studies in surveying, and more specifically development, seeing the inputs and type of work which is carried out at the planning stage before development can commence has been hugely valuable. This will help me in further studies and when I come to completing my APC in the future.

People in the office are friendly and supportive, whether that be bumping into each other in the kitchen while getting coffee, or supporting me through a task I have been assigned and aiding my understanding of the general work that is carried out in the office which has been varied.

I found it useful that there was a project set up to complete, as this meant that when there is less work to spend time on for the team, I was able to get on with my project which involved researching the team's clients and position in the UK property market. This also enabled me to speak to more directors about this, and therefore build relationships with further team members. There were also weekly live streams from the head office from different departments in Savills, which was useful as they may be potential rotations on the grad scheme.

Savills were very helpful in structuring the internship with weekly meetings to develop our knowledge of other teams within the company so we weren't solely experiencing one part of this large organisation which was insightful. The progression which was clear also seemed important through support throughout the APC and continued training and development even after this.

Throughout my time on the Summer Scheme at Savills, the support, training and progression which is evident makes future employment prospects very appealing. Hearing from current graduates up to Directors has been useful to hear from people who work at the company and therefore I will definitely be applying to the graduate scheme.

My team and I arranged a lunch and several pub trips which was great to be able to network and develop relationships with people in my team and across the office. Having a relationship with other interns was also important to me as it gave a flavour of what life on the grad scheme would be like as you all work your way through the APC process together.

As I was not located in London, the cost of living was very reasonable which meant that my salary went further. This includes lower rates of accommodation, car travel to work and lunches, which meant that it was highly affordable and an option to socialise more as it was not expensive to do so.