Vacation Student Review

I really enjoyed my summer experience with Arup. Mainly down to the fact that the team were extra supportive whenever I struggled with anything. All of what I did will be extremely useful in later years as an engineer.

I was treated like part of the team throughout and was given tasks that linked directly with ongoing projects. Any group team meetings I was included in whether it be the general weekly meetings or bigger team reviews.

Multiple colleagues offered support and assistance on plenty of occasions as the majority of them had been in my position before. My line manager went through in detail any difficulties I came across and was particularly helpful.

Majority of the time I was busy and working on some sort of design work. Any free time I spent showering the vast Arup library to further my learning.

I was surprised by the amount of responsibility I was given, as I was only a vacation student. Design work I undertook seemed to be used in the actual design which was a satisfying feeling.

Apart from the skills developed in structural design, seeing and experiencing how a functional team operate effectively will be useful in further group projects in my last year of university and beyond.

A very good atmosphere in and around the office. A good balance between a professional hard working environment but having the ability to be more light-hearted and be social. The main eating area is a nice layout and is used for informal meetings and discussions, further adding to the informal atmosphere.

There was no broad structure to my vacation period. It was pretty much down to my line manager to decide the tasks I'd be doing. Towards the end however the workload reduced and I helped the team with their upcoming office move which meant I was doing limited design work.

Within the Arup employee website there is an abundance of online help that can assist you in whatever task you are about to undertake. Arup encourage multiple short courses to be undertaken on yearly basis. Failing to find anything there, the colleagues within the team without doubt would guide you in what needs to be done.

Considering the friendly atmosphere it would be an ideal place to work, which is something I value highly. I am therefore going to be applying for the graduate schemes that will be made available. After having multiple chats with recent graduates, they seemed to follow the same process of having done a vacation scheme also.

On a friday after work it seemed common to go for friday drinks with colleagues, I had no issues with socialising with the older colleagues rather than other placement students. I did attend an external lunch organised by this year's graduate intake, which made me feel part of the whole office environment.

I lived at home and so the cost of living was relatively cheap, for someone who wouldn't live at home it may be cheaper to look at renting in one of the many student areas. The office is close to many bus routes and is in very close proximity to Piccadilly, meaning you don't have to live in the centre.

I didn't go on a night out with the people I worked with but from living in the area you can have a cheap night out if that's what you want. Multiple bars relatively close to the office which is ideal for post-friday drinks with colleagues if that's what you want.

Plenty of options for external activities, the stand out was a 5 a side football league. Speaking with colleagues about activities they did mention about you could organise something if you get enough people. An annual golf day is also organised and is suppose to be a good day to get know people in other offices.