Summer Intern Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Savills this week. It has been a pleasure to work with one of the property industry's leading firms, and to shadow the work that the employees here carry out. It has really helped me to gain an understanding of the day to day running of one of the regional offices, the type of work carried out, and the experience of carrying out an office based role. I have decided to score the experience 8 for that reason, where I felt the insight could have been improved were if it were longer. Now whilst I fully understand the decision by Savills to make it 1 week as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, naturally when you're only present for 1 week instead of the usual 4, you lose precious time and opportunities to do more. For example I could have likely been given more responsibility and tasks were the experience longer, and learnt about other specialisms. But again I reiterate I understand the decision.

I did feel valued within the firm, particularly within the team I was working in. Despite only being present for one week, and the mammoth workload my team were facing during the week of the placement, I am fully satisfied that all efforts were undertaken by my team to include me wherever possible, so that I could absorb and do as much work as I possibly could to assist the team. Of course with only being present for 1 working week, there is a limitation with the amount of data and tasks I can be given, and with my team busy enough as it is, this was a further limitation. But again I recognize the efforts taken to include me when they possibly could, which is most appreciated. During lunch hours I was offered to attend and have lunch with other graduates. which was very kind. It made me feel very welcomed!

At times when the team was less busy, I was able to shadow the work which they undertook. During this period of time I was explained by my mentors as to the work they were undertaking, why they were doing it, what needed to be done, and just in general the importance of the roles they were all carrying out. I was also able to attend a site visit, where I saw a first hand practical approach to the work that is needed to be done outside of the office.

I am almost at the end of completing my Masters degree in Real Estate, and whilst I feel the skills I have learnt from this year have been invaluable for preparing me for a role in the property industry, admittedly the things you learn from a degree can only prepare you so much. To elaborate, you can learn how to manage a property or value it with the rules taught from your university, but to see how it is applied in industry is a skill you only learn once you begin working. From doing this summer scheme, it has allowed me to see first hand how the skills from my degree are applied in industry. It's been fantastic to learn and hopefully with the opportunity to intern/shadow further in the future, my skill set will become even stronger.

I believe the insight was structured very well. Instructions were very clear from HR as to how the week would run with clear communications via email with any updates. It was very reassuring to see the business made every effort to communicate as best as they could which helped give interns such as myself a confidence boost that we knew what we were doing. Whilst there were a couple of mishaps such as a change in schedule and plans, these are ultimately quite common in the workplace and were to be expected. As mentioned before only being present for a week gives a certain limitation in to what can be done, and the needs of the business come before the needs of the intern.

The atmosphere during the insight week was positive. Whilst the team I was working with were very busy throughout the week, there were never moments where I felt I couldn't ask a question if I needed to. Whilst I did make every effort to not potentially irritate my colleagues asking questions and just learning, I knew if I did need to ask a question, my team were able to help out. Members of staff within the office were also very welcoming and said hello to me when walking past. I didn't feel like a total stranger for the week, and as mentioned efforts were undertaken to keep me included such as lunch breaks with other graduates.

The company have done a lot to train and develop me in the space of a week I feel. It doesn't feel like I have had nothing to do and my mentors have found every opportunity despite their busy schedule to incorporate me and teach me all about the work that they do. It's invaluable experience for the CV and just my own training and development, and I'm pleased that the firm are willing to give us interns further opportunities in the future.

I feel like the insight gave me a really good understanding as to the day to day running's of a business like Savills. Shadowing an employee and carrying out some of their tasks genuinely made me feel like I was a member of the firm. I feel like if I had longer than a week then I would be able to carry out more tasks associated with Commercial property, however the COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented and isn't anyone's fault.

I feel like I have gained a good understanding of the company's culture, however again only being present for a week and with the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, this has further limited the amount of company culture I can be exposed to. If I was able to have more time then I would certainly learn more, but my brief exposure has certainly been incredible and helpful. Hopefully there will be further opportunities to intern for the company and learn even more!

I have only been exposed to one aspect of Commercial property within this week, which is Property Management. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will certainly look to roles similar to this as a go to point upon the completion of my Masters. Ideally I would have liked to experience different departments to get a full understanding as to what specialism would properly suit me. For example being able to have an experience of Valuation or Development would give me a further understanding.

Savills kindly offered to pay expenses of up to £100 for travel and lunch during our time with the company this week. This was a kind and pleasant surprise offered by the firm. You would think for 1 week that we would have to sort ourselves out, however this was not the case and our expectations were fully subverted by the company. It's very reassuring to see a firm going the extra mile to help out their interns, and I feel we were adequately reimbursed.

There were but to an extent. Of course with COVID-19 restrictions, there is a limit as to how often and how close you can meet other people, but my Mentors made every effort to give me networking opportunities. I have also been given opportunities to connect with other members of the firm via networking sites such as Linkedin, and also the aforementioned opportunity to potentially do more intern time with the firm. It's very much appreciated to help make contacts.

Really useful, I was allowed to attend a site visit and meet potential clients with regards to issues with Property Management. Of course being the Intern I had to step back and shadow the work which my Mentor was carrying out, but it gave me hands on experience as to what you would do if you had to go and meet your clients. Fortunately the visit was not a heated one and was resolved relatively quickly.

I did yes and I hope to partake in further opportunities in the future with the company. I intend on applying for the Savills graduate scheme within the Commercial surveying discipline, and I have been told by my Mentors of all the opportunities to engage with your colleagues and socialise further. There appears to be a very family type of mentality within the office I have worked in, where people are willing to help each other where they can. Resilience in the face of a pandemic!

I would, and I believe my friends would have the added benefit were they to be successful in securing a place of doing longer with the company. The office I have been working in has been outstanding, and would be an excellent place to work for any employee. The most useful thing about the internship has been how you are able to shadow and work for employees of a reputable firm, which gives you better knowledge than your fellow competitors when applying for a job.