Geotechnics Industrial Trainee Review

It was the best secondment during my graduate scheme. I learnt new skills and the work was often fast paced. My time at Arup was less enjoyable when there was no or very little work to do. I like to be busy, efficient and productive, if there isn't much work to do it means you slow down when completing it.

My colleagues treated me with respect and were always friendly. They seemed to give me jobs and they trusted me to get on with it. One of the best things was to be given relevant work on the very first day of my placement. All of my other placements on my scheme have begun with reading boring, long documents as a day 1 activity.

My Line Manager was incredibly good at helping me or giving me responsibility for tasks. When my Line Manager was away then it was hard to get work and other colleagues were not able to provide as much support. However, the overall atmosphere in Arup is always supportive and people are willing to help.

This varied greatly during my time on the placement. I loved it when I was busy, but there were quiet periods with no work. On a daily basis I was probably, on average, 80% busy. The summer months were the period when I had the least to do and this could make work quite boring.

A little bit more responsibility would have been nice, but I know that can be difficult with placements. A six month placement limits the amount of responsibility given to someone as everyone knows that they will no be around for long. However, I was given tasks that I had to deliver on and tasks which I felt I owned which was good.

It was a valuable placement on my graduate scheme and will help me if I want to pursue a career related to Geotechnical skills in the future. Having achieved a geology degree, it was good to see what a real world geologist does on a day-to-day basis. I developed a lot of computer skills and used new programs relating to data analysis.

It was a positive atmosphere. Everyone seemed to be quite friendly and willing to help. There weren't times when I felt out of place and it was easy to settle in. It was one of the best offices which I have worked in, you felt able to talk and discuss work without interrupting others - this was good as it encouraged people to ask for help.

It was quite well organised. Arup London had never had anyone from my nucleargraduates scheme, so they were surprised by the amount of work which was required for the graduate scheme. I had no issues with IT or passes when I first arrived, although there could have been better communication prior to my start - such as confirmation of my placement.

I was able to complete training such as the General Site Safety Brief and online moodle courses. I felt like I got as much help with training and development as I did during my other placements. My learning/training and development has mostly been provided by my grad scheme.

It has been a very positive experience at Arup and team members have encouraged me to apply for a job in the future. It is something which I would consider doing, although I would not want to come back as a graduate again - having completed a 2 year graduate scheme I would want to come back on the level above graduate.

There was social activities organised by the team. I was not, however, put in touch with other graduates or placement students before or while I was at Arup - this could have been really great and is maybe something which should be done for future placements.

It is London so it is obviously very expensive. My placement was of no cost to Arup, they didn't pay me, so I received no finical help from them. The cost of living would deter me form returning to the London Office, however, being in London is good because it is very easy to socialise.

London has a lot going on. There are a lot of bars close by and activities which can be undertaken. However, as mentioned in my previous answer the cost of this nightlife is quite high. Events organised by Arup were often quite good value and there were a couple of enjoyable team events during my time.

Yes there were definitely opportunities, such as volleyball or softball. I don't think I full utilised the opportunities. It would also have been good to have a meet new people/new starters events. If I was at Arup for longer I probably would have got more involved in outside of work activities.