Summer Scheme Student Review

My time at Savills was highly enjoyable, I was given real responsibility from the first day and was able to get involved. The fellow employees in the office were lovely and friendly which made my time all the more enjoyable and comfortable. Overall, the experience was rewarding, insightful and enjoyable.

My colleagues were always willing to help me or give me work if I asked if I could help them, this made me feel valued. Then once I completed the work given they were always very appreciative and often gave feedback. Overall, my colleagues made me feel valued through giving me responsibility to do work and through feedback.

The support and guidance I received during my experience exceeded my expectations, everyone I came into contact with was very supportive and willing to give advice on all aspects of working in property. I felt able to ask anyone for advice, support or guidance which helped make my time at Savills more insightful.

Each day was different with different variations of busy but on average I was fairly busy but not overworked. I always felt I had something to do, I was never sitting twiddling my thumbs. Having the project of doing 5 fact on each department was a good idea as it made you go out your way to speak to different people from different teams.

I was giving a good amount of responsibility and felt I was able to contribute to the everyday ongoing of the organisation. I never felt I was doing a pointless task and everything I did I learnt something from. In general, I was given a good amount of responsibility but felt I could ask questions if I was unsure.

The skills I have developed will definitely assist in my masters and then into the work place. Simple skills such as using excel, being able to research who owns a property, find out planning applications and others will give me a head start when I enter the workplace. Also being able to understand how different properties are measured and the practical side of property will assist when doing the masters.

The general atmosphere in the office was relaxed and friendly. It was the atmosphere where everyone was welcome to go ask anyone a question and where people could have a small chat without feeling they had to leave the room or whisper. The office was also very well integrated and not segregated between different teams

In general, it was well set up but as it was holiday season a number of people were off on holiday. This meant it was sometimes a bit ad-hoc but I didn't mind as it was good to mix it up and go with the flow. Also because I was the only intern in my office there was no need to have a very regimented structure to my 4 weeks.

In terms of personal development the firm invested me as the people in the organisation were very willing to take time out of their day to talk to me and help me with anything. Personal training wasn't emphasised too much in the 4 weeks but the 4 weeks were more aimed at being immersed in the company rather than training.

Future employment prospects look good, although no direct offer of a place on the graduate scheme has been made and I am unsure if this happens. There has been positive talk of at least making it to the assessment centre and that they are here to help with anything once I leave after the 4 weeks.

There was good social scene, one of the graduates introduced me to an intern at another organisation and we went to a young surveyors event. There was also a few people doing work experience at different times in the 4 weeks, so I was able to go out for lunch with them. In general, there was a good social scene in the office.

The cost of living was fine as I brought my own lunch in everyday and there was an outdoor area to eat it. I was also able to walk to work, however if I had needed to rent somewhere to stay the cost of living would have been pretty high. Socialising wasn't the cheapest place in the UK but it wasn't the most expensive either.

The nightlife was good in the area I worked in, it had a good variety of stuff and things for everyone. It was small enough that nothing was too far, you could either walk or get a bus. There was lots of new restaurants and bars to try too.

In terms of work related there was few options such a touch rugby but apart from that not many but I think that was because the office was smaller. However, there was in general a lot of things to do in the city, particularly because the weather was nice.