Placement Site Engineer at JN Bentley

Bentleys is really enjoyable to work for- as a company it is people orientated which is great to know that grades isn't everything- Bentleys looks for great people with an enthusiasm for their career. Ive been given a lot of responsibility, however I feel this is optional. As a site engineer im naturally learning and becoming more rounded in my knowledge.

Coming into an office/ onto site is daunting but that what every placement is like- The office environments are relaxed and no one is better than anyone else, everyone's there to help! The same applies to a site environment, we are a team and work as a team.

My line manager is often busy so I look to other members of the team I was working with for guidance. However my line manager has moved me from site to site (which I wanted to grow my experience) and offers support when I need it.

Day to day on site work is steady- there are quieter days and busier days. I don't feel stressed at work (which is very important) and I feel like I have opportunities to grow my own knowledge, read over things and see how things are actually built on site. Ive witnessed a few projects from design to build completion. Its great to see both sides of a project.

As a placement student I expected to shadow roles. However ive had a good amount of responsibility which is great. Ive had to do site orders independently and work directly with the client among other things.

My skills have improved massively- On placement in general I feel you learn so much more than you can in a classroom. The skills are easy to transfer and I feel like things at uni will just make more sense- its easier to work on something if you can visually picture it or have done something similar on placement.

The office is great- its relaxed and everyone's on an equal- from a graduate to a director no one will be behind closed doors or not talk to you- 'just a placement'. Its lively and there's a good amount of social opportunities in the office.

Placement was organised but rather than constant reviews and that it was more important to put the time into work- varied work and getting more experience- 'You get out what you put in' as they say.

Bentley opened doors to different work and let me decide on what direction I was heading. Ive access to different online courses and again a lot of learning on site.

Bentleys employ the person and not the grades- of course better grades is favourable. With work providing your a good fit and good at your job they will accommodate future employment. Many members of staff have been at Bentleys for years which shows that Bentleys is good- The offices are always taking on new employees and grads so it was really nice to not be the only newbie in the office when I started.

There is various social opportunities which is great to help build friendships. Due to the relaxed atmosphere of the office and site it was perfect to build friendships with others placements and grads.

The Leeds office situated around Leeds Dock is a more expensive part for a Friday drink or lunch. There was a few supermarkets and cheaper cafes. Living close to the area is expensive but its close to bus routes and only a 10-15 min walk from the train station. Its a beautiful part of the city I (even as a student for 2 yrs) hadn't explored it is also not far from some student accommodation so this might be an option?

Around the dock its not far from some great bars for an after work drink- its also a short walk into town (around the call lane end) so again this is a option.

The office offered loads of great social opportunities, not all involving drinking as this doesn't appeal to everyone.