Summer Placement Review

I really enjoyed my placement at Atkins. My colleagues made every effort to provide me with extra knowledge and insights into the engineering world. They made every job I worked on interesting and fun and provided a friendly, comfortable, welcoming working atmosphere. The Atkins transportation team ensured I was able to participate in a number of different engineering projects, from rail to highways, so the work was kept fresh and interesting.

From my first day in the office at Atkins, I felt very valued and was treated as part of the team. My line manager, and all my colleagues made it very clear I was able to approach them with any questions or queries I may have, at any time. Everyone went the extra mile to ensure I felt settled in and happy during my work experience and everyone tried there best to ensure I was able to go on-site on as many projects as possible to gain the most experience from my summer placement.

At Atkins, I received all the help and support I required from both my line manager and my 'buddy'. I was assigned a 'buddy' on my first day, a recent graduate who had been working with Atkins for about a year. He provided me with all the support and knowledge I required and worked closely with me throughout the summer to ensure I was comfortable with the volume and difficulty of the work I was completing. I learnt a lot from this pairing and he provided me with extra resources and reading so I could fully understand the basics and the terminology of the rail industry. I was placed at a desk located next to my line manager and this was great as he was able to help with any difficult challenges I faced.

Throughout the placement, the level of work I received was at the optimum amount. In the first week whilst I was still settling in, I was given a little less work so I could focus and understand thoroughly what I was doing whilst working closely with my buddy. Then I was put in charge of my own work package where I was responsible for completing a package of work in my own time. This package furthered my understanding and confidence. By the end of the summer I was managing a work package and communicating with the design offices in Bangalore and Delhi to bring together design submissions. This work was fast-paced and something which I really enjoyed being a part of.

I feel that I was given the correct amount of responsibility during my time at Atkins. Of course being a student, I was not given the same responsibility as the qualified engineers as I do not have the skills and knowledge ad experience they have. However, I was given work to complete individually, and then this was reviewed with my buddy/the colleague I was working with. Being put in charge of my own work package gave me a lot of responsibility as I had to manage my time and organise the scope of the work I was completing. By the end of my placement, I was given a lot of responsibility to organise and package together some design submissions with the Atkins design offices in Bangalore and Delhi. These packages were then checked and reviewed by qualified engineers before being submitted.

This placement at Atkins provided me with a lot of skills and training required to work in an engineering design office. The placement showed me that transportation is a section of engineering that I would like to explore further and possibly base my future career on. In this sense, this placement has been invaluable. I have learnt how to communicate and liaise with external companies to ensure a strong working relationship. I have seen engineering problem-solving first hand and I can now see how the theories learnt at university can be applied to real-life situations. This will benefit me greatly when returning to university.

The atmosphere in the office was the correct balance between business-like and comfortable. The office as a whole was very hard-working and focused to ensure all work was completed on time and to the highest of standards. However, the work place remained a happy, friendly place to be where everyone had positive attitudes. It was clear from my first day that everyone was welcoming and supportive of one-another. Engineering requires teamwork and this office was one happy accomplished team.

The work placement was set up and organised very well. When I arrived on my first day, all the equipment I required was located at the desk which was appointed for me. I had a meeting with my line manager where any questions I had were answered and all my induction tasks were completed. My buddy was made aware of my arrival a few weeks earlier and so was able to put together a list of jobs and tasks I could participate in and help him complete. My first week was busy and enjoyable with a site visit on my third day! This theme continued throughout my three moth placement.

The company invested a lot of their time and efforts to ensure I gained all I could from my summer placement. They furthered my knowledge greatly and made me feel part of the team. My line manager and colleagues discussed the graduate scheme with the company with me as this is a company I am interested in working for after I complete my degree. Atkins gave me the opportunity to participate in their pension scheme which I did so.

After speaking with my line manager and the practice manager in the transportation office, they expressed that they would happily welcome me back again next summer for another placement. We also discussed the graduate scheme as Atkins is a company I would be very honoured and happy to work of in the future after I complete my masters degree.

There was a very good social scene amongst the colleagues in the transportation team. There were a number of sports teams, in which no level of sporting competence was required, that were run for the team. These seemed very popular and a good way for colleagues to form friendships and relax outside of the office. Everyone was very friendly and I was invited on many bus journeys over to the near shopping complex at lunchtimes for a bit of fresh air and a break from the work. I was made aware of many graduate socials and holidays with the company and seasonal company social events.

The car parking fees were £5 per day which is rather expensive, however I managed to park for free a short distance away which required a 10 minute walk to the office but I was grateful for the fresh air. The cafe/food shop located in the office building was fairly expensive however cheaper alternatives were available just a short distance away. The gym membership was subsidised for people working in the office.

I did not experience the night life in the area as I drive to and from work from my home. I believe there were several pubs and many bars located in Warrington, just a short drive or train journey from Birchwood.

There was a gym on the site where the office was located that offered gym classes and sports teams which you could join.