Sumemr Student Review

This Summer I returned for my 3rd Summer Placement - as a Graduate Engineer - in the same sector of the company and therefore enjoyed returning to a team I had previously made working relationships with. The placement was enjoyable because I was often site rather than office based, communicating with contractors and seeing the practical side of engineering which is different to what I had worked on before.

I was working on a project that was in construction phase and needed another hand to help with design work and communication with a specific contractor. Right from the start of my placement I was given this opportunity and responsibility to work independently and was trusted to deliver work that represented Atkins well, this trust made me feel very valued by colleagues alongside praise for problem solving and the work I delivered.

I was given the opportunity to develop my own working proficiency and trust my decisions as a graduate engineer, guiding my own decisions and thoughts. However support and guidance from my colleagues was on hand and many discussions or phone calls helped develop my understanding. Colleagues and my line manager always took time to provide knowledge and guidance.

Due to working from site in an active construction phase of the project, there was sufficient work to keep me busy most weeks - with a lull during the peak holiday season, which is the way during a 'summer' placement. I found the main bulk of work came in on a Tuesday and therefore being able to decipher the priority of work and time it would take was key to not overloading and becoming too busy on one day and having nothing left the next.

I was trusted right from the get go to take on an important and valuable job which was providing mechanical design support to the project and communicating directly with the mechanical installation contractor. I was reviewing drawings coming in and sending out comments for review as well as having the ability to accept drawings for fabrication. I was allowed to work independently and was working from site in a joint venture office at least 3 days a week. For a summer student this was a true show of trust in my capabilities - which I had shown in my previous two summers.

Having a professional working environment insight is instrumental to writing good technical reports for university and understanding how your decisions effect a project in either a minor or major way. I developed communication skills and the training I received in previous placements was used again during this placement. Having the experience of work similar to that expected of a graduate will aid my transition into the industry from University.

The office atmosphere was what I expected from a working professional office. The Atkins office atmosphere I enjoyed more than that on site as I knew more of the colleagues.

I was quickly and easily taken onto the summer placement scheme and because I had worked for Atkins previously it was a streamlined application process. Upon arriving I was given a good overview of the projects in the office and was working from site the very next day. I had plenty of work and felt that the placement was set up well to develop my objectives to becoming a Chartered Engineer in the future.

As I had done a lot of training in previous placements, there was less for me to do in the current summer placement, however I still continued to develop skills and Engineering Competences which will lead towards professional registration/status in the future. I was encouraged to write a quarterly report and attend training seminars/webinars.

Atkins has a good graduate scheme and my specific department tend to employ new graduates regularly. Future career prospects with Atkins are good.

Often would eat lunch together and visit the local pub, enjoyable time spent socialising with colleagues.

Cost of living was not too bad for South London/North Surrey area and was socially ok.

Non-existent in the town where the office is located but gets better as you travel towards London

Yes many events and company clubs were advertised and available if you wanted to join.