Assistant Engineer Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed working for CMDP (Costain/Stantec JV for Southern Water). I have worked in a number of teams with a number of different people, all giving me sound advice and mentoring me for the year. My favourite part has been working for the estimating team, putting together data schedules to be priced by the supply chain. The whole office have been kind and it has been a nice environment to work in.

At the start of the year, I was working for only a few people, therefore had only a few daily communications. As I grew in confidence and started to work with more people, I have since felt like I have been a useful member of the team with others relying on my work and being a key contact along the project timeline.

I have been given a lot of support throughout my time with CMDP. whenever I have had any queries, I have been able to ask any one of a number of people for advice. Everyone in the office has been patient and easy to talk to which has made it far easier for me to develop.

At the start of the year, my workload was a bit uneven, with some periods being especially busy and others a little quiet. Since working with the design team about 6 months in, then following onto the estimating team, my workload has increased and become more steady. I have enjoyed being able to come into the office and know what I need to do and by when so I can plan my day effectively.

The responsibility given to me has increased as my placement has gone on. By the end, I am now working as a Civil Estimator, with 7 projects to my name, all running concurrently. All require communications with the supply chain and design teams, and if I miss an item of scope, it will have major cost implications down the line. I have also completed and compiled documents for the Senior Leadership Team for their bid for the next AMP of work.

I have developed many skills throughout the year, mainly communication based and general awareness of the construction industry. I have been in daily communications with the supply chain, creating relationships and connections within the internal team in the office and outside. My main skill that I have developed is my perception of risk. As I have been pricing jobs, it is very interesting to see what can go wrong and how this can be avoided. This will help me reflect on my university work to ensure I have covered everything required of me. I have also been on a number of training courses, all aiding my understanding and knowledge, of which I have no doubt will help me in my final years of study.

The general atmosphere is good. there are often periods of quiet, which provide opportunities to really knuckle down. Equally, there are often conversations going on which lighten the mood and everyone is really personable so the human interaction is nice. due to the size of the office and the number of people who are only in occasionally, there is a hot desk policy, which is nice to get the chance to speak to new people.

my placement has been run well. I have been treated as a standard member of the team, with no special treatment which is how I believe it should be. I have been given lots of responsibility and have fully integrated as part of the team. Equally, my colleagues know my limits of experience, so I have been given challenging work which has been enjoyable.

CMDP/Costain have provided all the required training I need. I have passed my SEATS training, as well as obtaining a Blue Card for working on clean water sites. I have written quarterly reports about my work, all of which have been reviewed and signed off by colleagues, giving constructive feedback which I have taken on board.

my future employment prospects with Costain are very strong. I have already made suggestions about a possible summer placement CMDP next summer and maybe beyond. I am on a Institution of Civil Engineers programme in connection with Costain, so I look forward to continuing my career beyond University, at any potential project around the country.

sadly, there are no other placement students working along side me, I the first placement student CMDP have had, but I feel like the success of my year will hopefully encourage more in the future. I have been on a couple of work nights with colleagues, however these seem to be quite irregular. I would like to do more in the future but understand the difficulty and priorities others have.

Working and living in Brighton is expensive. Nevertheless, Costain have given me sum of money for living away from home, over and above my salary. This has helped my to live comfortably throughout my year out. I have loved living in Brighton for the year, so cannot complain too much about the increased cost of living

Brighton is a very cool place with lots of events going on. This, combined with the good weather this year has meant I have thoroughly enjoyed myself this year, especially over the summer. I am very much looking forward to returning in the future with friends to be able to show them the sights!

I play tennis for my local club in the Brighton Parks League. this is a weekly league, with training on 2 other nights in the week. this has been a great way to get to know people and has been a great way to keep fit, playing a sport I have played for over 10 years. I have also been going to the gym, so this has been another thing to do in the evenings after work.