Summer Student Review

I really enjoyed my 12 weeks at Atkins. All of he staff were welcoming and approachable whenever I had questions. They also had time (and patience) to spend time teaching me how to use different software's such as AutoCAD and MicroDrainage. Moreover, they explained and showed me what would be expected of me when working towards chartership.

Everyone was really welcoming. My manager introduced me to a student on a year in industry and she helped me a lot. I got most of my initial work from a colleague coming to the end of his graduate scheme and he was very helpful and kept me busy. I feel like I fitted in and the whole team accepted me straight away.

My manager would be quick to respond to any queries I had and if they did not have the answer she would always find someone who could help me. We were not always in the same office but they made sure to check I was getting on OK. If my manager was not available, I felt comfortable to go to over managers within the Early Careers Team.

At the beginning of my placement I was very busy but there was a short period when there was not a lot of work to be done. I filled this time with online training modules which then helped me complete work I was given in the latter weeks of my placement.

My biggest responsibility during my placement was the time I spent working on a bid for a project. This was a busy time and the project manager would check in with me daily. I also had to make sure the standards register was kept up to date as this changed monthly.

I devolved both practical skills and interpersonal skills whilst on my placement. The practical skills I developed will help me with my studies, especially for CAD design. Additionally, it was beneficial to see where my studies fit in within the workplace. The interpersonal skills I gained, I believe, saw me grow in confidence and my ability to communicate and ask for help when needed and ask concise questions improved during my placement.

The atmosphere in the office was always positive and quite chilled. It was not overcrowded and the office manager would always help if you had any questions. On the first Friday of each month, fruit and biscuits were available and all the employees would make a donation towards the nominated charity.

There were some teething issues at the beginning of my internship. I had not been assigned the right manager so this proved difficult when trying to fill in timesheets and have leave approved. Overall it was well organised and the onus was down to me to find work within my team to do which I liked as it held me responsible for my own actions; I got out what I was willing to put in.

I was able to complete many online training modules. This mainly allowed me to develop my skills in AutoCAD which proved useful when completing work for the company.

I would like to work at the organisation upon completing university. The other employees were very welcoming and help was always on hand whenever it was needed. Also, the ability to move around the company and go in to different roles within the company is very appealing; maybe even work with an intern myself in the future.

I didn't really socialise with other placement students as they were not in the same office as me. I had a friend from university start the same organisation as me so I checked in with him regularly to see how he was getting on.

My placement was in a major city. I commuted by train each day so when July hit it became more affordable as I was able to use my railcard.

I've been told it is good; I didn't try for myself.

There were social sports team such as badminton and football.