Summer Scheme Student Planner Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at Savills, I feel like I have learnt an eclectic body of knowledge going from the mitigation and litigation associated with planning, in addition to an extensive knowledge on energy from waste facilities etc. It has most certainly broadened my horizons and got me thinking about planning even when I'm just driving through towns and villages etc.

Definitely felt of value during my time at the company. I was involved in a rather large task of helping consolidate potential sites to locate an energy from waste plant in the Northern Midland region. To have such a task of responsibility given to me at the end of my first week showed the team had great trust in my ability; especially considering my background in Global Sustainable Development & History, rather than Planning, Rural Management etc.

My mentor [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] was always on hand to help out and offer advice to me. Whenever I went on site visits I would often be inquisitive in order to assimilate as much knowledge as I could and my fellow colleagues were more than co operative in giving me informed answers. It was the right balance between enough freedom to have to think on your feet and enquire yourself but you also knew guidance was on tap when and where you needed it

In relation to my degree planning is of a distant nature; however extrapolating the knowledge I have acquired during my placement I feel it has given me a more holistic and pragmatic mind-set in regards to devising policy. I was overly stuck in theorem however this placement has given me the logical thinking and practical tools needed to put policy into action.

My time here was well structured, only very occasionally was I given more reading based tasks. Most of my time was spent engaging with real case studies, projects in the pipeline and learning how to navigate government websites = giving me much needed skills. The tasks given were always engaging and were fluent in their delivery.

The general atmosphere was very good. I particularly enjoyed the social days out for instance to Newbury Racecourse and our departmental trip to monkey world; the team always made me feel welcome and everyone was approachable. Sometimes even going out their way to make sure I was included in lunch break circles for example

See reference to prior question regarding Energy from Waste activity

I felt incredibly involved in the team and in my role. The placement showed me all aspects of planning from writing letters to clients, google map research council website navigation, site visits and the various acronyms associated with the job. For sure I felt part of a team, the feeling of a full time role was consolidated by the fact that my work was also valued, in addition to often receiving feedback

Because the placement was so inclusive and eclectic in the tasks I was undertaking it really gave me a strong feeling of what future career paths are out there. I need to research what options there are for masters degrees in planning however the experience has really given my career path a compass by which to feed off; as I was previously ignorant of any feasible careers in something associated with urbanisation, development and planning

Great opportunities for networking, being taken to Newbury racecourse for the Savills Southern Regional Conference was a great experience whereby I met several fascinating people who I am now friends with on LinkedIn, in addition I got to meet a fellow summer scheme graduate at the Petworth office and discuss careers paths etc. therefore I had both he opportunity to interact with established people of position but also someone of a similar age whose journey is relatable.

As mentioned previously the networking and social event opportunities were marvellous, I definitely joined in the right month! With Newbury offering a great holistic networking experience and our departmental trip to monkey world really giving the opportunity to get to know the team and break down any personal barriers I was nervous about; the removal from the office provided the whole team with a great sense of connectivity

Yes most certainly! The experience has been invaluable with what it has taught me in regards to a field I had no prior knowledge off. It has further given me a compass by which to navigate my future career path from. Given me opportunities to network with people of position and understand the complexities of an every evolving industry i.e. AR and AI in planning processes.