Intern Review

The working environment I was in really gave a true insight into what it would be like to work at Cushman and Wakefield and I enjoyed the experience of a corporate company. As I was only there for 1 month, the workload wasn't huge and some of the tasks I was given didn't require a huge amount of expertise and could be completed quickly. Despite this, it still allowed me to understand in more depth the way in which the department worked. I enjoyed learning a bit more about the training process from previous graduates who are now qualified; which was invaluable.

As most of my colleagues had experienced placements and internships leading up to their training, they knew and could relate to my situation, and as previously mentioned gave me some brilliant advice and insight into what the next few years would shape up to be for me. I felt like I was always considered by my team and they would always make sure I could be involved in as much as possible. They made me feel at ease.

My supervisor/line manager was out of office in my first week, so the responsibility fell onto another member of management. Despite how visibly busy she was, she always made sure she explained everything to me in full and would go over anything I wasn't sure of. Upon the return of my line manager, he could tell I had fitted in well with another team and so I spent the rest of the month with them. He tried his best to make sure I understood the department and how it worked.

I was working in Asset Services, and I can appreciate that as it is an ongoing job it's difficult to give an intern much to do for 1 month but there wasn't a huge amount of work for me to be doing. I made sure that all my colleagues knew they could give me work to do, but I was often stuck with nothing which was quite frustrating. I did carry out a couple of inspections with one of the graduates and on those days we split the workload which I was very appreciative of.

There wasn't a lot of responsibility for me to be given. Probably the biggest task that I was responsible for was my end of placement presentation, which really was for the benefit of myself. Obviously the tasks that I was given carried a bit of responsibility, but it wasn't a great deal. I understand that it is difficult to give responsibility for a 1 month placement.

I was able to apply a lot of the laws learnt in property management and it made a lot that I had learnt realative, but only within the one department I was working in.

Everyone on my team were so friendly and could not have been more accommodating. They made sure they introduced me to anyone that came over. While remaining professional, everyone got on well and you could tell that it was a comfortable working environment.

The interview, training day and month was set up really well. I was slightly disappointed when I arrived that no-one knew I was going to be there and therefore there was no work in place for me to get on with. I later learned that this was due to my line manager being out of office, however no-one was notified as a result. Everything up to this point was really well organised, including logins and laptop being provided.

They made sure I understood the department I was working in, and what the general aim of the job is. There wasn't a huge amount of investment into personal training and development, but I was asked regularly if there was anything I wanted to know or anything they could help me with. I was pleased when one of the International Partners passed on his contact details and asked us to contact him if we needed anything leading into our final year of study.

Very appealing. I truly think that a Graduate Placement at Cushman and Wakefield is one of the best in the industry.

In the second week of my placement was the Summer Party, which unfortunately I couldn't attend, but it seemed so well attended and something that everyone was looking forward to. There were often drinks after work, and I was invited out at lunchtimes to join various different groups of colleagues. My team kindly arranged a lunch for me on my penultimate day which was so lovely.

I worked in Birmingham City Centre, and although we were in the CBD it wasn't overly expensive at all.

I didn't actually go out during the night in the area, as I commuted, but I know it well as it wasn't far from where I live and the nightlife is great.

Not a huge amount of opportunities, but perhaps the odd drink after work.