Student engineer Review

My placement was very enjoyable, it included construction work that I was interested in and allowed me to gain a valuable insite to the road construction industry. I enjoyed all aspects of the work including site works and office works. Small amounts of training was also provided making it more enjoyable.

My work colleagues were very welcoming. there have been several social events that I have been included in throughout my placement. There is also a weekly site football match that I was invited to before I even started. We all sit together and get on well. They are a great bunch to work with.

There has been no lack of support or guidance given through out my placement. I always feel I can ask questions and I will always get an answer that will help me gratefully. The buddy system works very well so I know they are my first point of contact if I have any questions or need any support with any issue.

At the start of my placement for the first few days I did struggle to find things to do. However as the weeks went on, I was delegated more tasks that would occupy my day nicely. These tasks included; permits to dig, site diaries, and surveying works. these will all be useful for future work.

I feel I was given a fair amount of responsibility on my placement. There were several times when I briefed permits to the operatives, I also had the responsibility to do permits and site diaries that are needed weekly and daily respectively. I was happy with the amount of responsibility I was given on this placement.

I was very happy with the skills I developed throughout my placement. I am confident when using a GPS and Total station now to do checks for construction works. I also gained my CSCS card. this will aid me in the future meaning I will not need to do a refresher course for the next few years.

The atmosphere was good in the office. it was nice and calm without any major issues. everyone treated each other well and were polite and encouraging. It is an environment that I defiantly enjoyed working in throughout my placement. The desks were set up well so that people could talk easily.

My placement was very organized. on my first day I was given my laptop and monitor and all other electrical equipment. This allowed me to set up my work station and get straight into the work. I was also booked onto my CSCS test straight away without any issues occurring.

there was a fir bit of personal training invested in my time on placement. I was trained on using the Total station and GPS for surveying works, this will aid my future in the engineering industry. I was involved in meetings that will be useful in the future to gain an incite to the works.

Future employment looks good at the moment. Costain have a really good graduate scheme from what I have heard and that is defiantly something that I would be interested in persuing.

There was one other summer placement working with me during my time here.

The overall area was quite cheap, the accommodation was cheap and the travel expenses were also cheap.

Nightlife was ok, if I wanted to have a good nightlife I would have to travel for about an hour.

yes there were football matches weekly and also other work social events throughout my placement.