Industrial Placement Student Review

I really enjoyed my placement year within Arup. I feel the year allowed me to build on my existing skills developed at university as well as gain new skills which I believe can only be done "on the job". I was able to work in a variety of departments and work on project at differing design stages giving me a good knowledge of the typical work carried out within the company

I felt very valued by my colleagues when working at Arup. I feel I was always given a good level of responsibility on a job based on my knowledge of the project and engineering skills. I also appreciated the positive comments I would get from colleagues when the values work I was doing on a project.

I thought the support that staff at Arup provide was great during my placement. My supervisor would also ensure that I had a good amount of work to be getting on with and that the work was varied and interesting. This was also the case for other members of staff who would try give me a variety of work on the different project I worked on. I also appreciated the training in various softwares, as well as general support, that staff would give at the start of a project and throughout to ensure I was comfortable with the work I was doing.

In general, I had a good amount of work to be getting on with during my placement year and the work was varied. However, there were some periods when there was a lack of work within my department so I would find myself with spare capacity but new opportunities for work was always found for me pretty fast.

I feel I was given just the right level of responsibility during my placement year. I was always provided with support when I was new to a project or technique but once I had gained the relevant skills I was able to carry out work independently and this was encourage by colleagues.

I feel I have gained valuable skills and training in various softwares during my placement year that I can take forward with me. The level of training that Arup would provide was great and staff would always assist you in teaching you relevant skills to carry out work which I can carry with me.

Overall a good general atmosphere in the office with staff always friendly and happy to help with any questions I had. Everyone in the office was approachable and it was obvious that everyone enjoyed being at work. There was also a good social aspect about the office with a good amount of socials offered.

I feel in general this was good. I was given a tour of the office at the start of my placement and introduced to all members of my team. One area where I feel it could be improved would be to have a dedicated junior member of staff for each placement student who could provide further guidance with smaller questions you may have and who will provide you with work when you have initial quiet period when starting out on the placement.

I feel Arup were great at investing in staff. I was able to undertake numerous training courses and some of these were run by external companies and aimed at permanent staff so I appreciated Arup giving me the opportunity to participate. I feel the level of training Arup invests in staff couldn't be improved

I would be very interested in potentially working for Arup in the future. I feel they are a great engineering company and the work that I carried out during my placement year was interesting and varies so I think it would make a good job to carry on with post university if the opportunity evolved.

There was a great social scene amongst not only placement students but also staff in general. Everyone was very friendly and there were always opportunities for meeting outside of work. Within my team in particular there were monthly socials in which we went out after work to usually undertake a social activity and then a meal which was always enjoyable.

I carried out my placement in Bristol which has a lot you can do with work colleagues and friends from outside of work. The cost of living and accommodation was okay and depending on where you live can vary quiet a bit but in general I think the cost of living in Bristol was about average.

The nightlife in Bristol was great with plenty of different places to go. A part of Arup social side there were monthly pub trips run in which anyone in the office who wanted to get involved could come to a set pub and socialise with staff members throughout the office who you may not normally work with.

There were a lot of activities that you could get involved with outside of work including various sports teams and events as well as pub trips and clean up of the local harbour side. In terms of Bristol in general there are also a lot of opportunities for activities to undertake in your spare time.