Summer Scheme Student Review

I've really enjoyed the week because it built on my previous work experience with other companies and pushed me a step further to expanding my knowledge in planning. The work was a perfect level of challenging, and tasks were explained to me in a clear and succinct way. There was a good balance of pressure and understanding from my colleagues who wanted to push me but also make sure I felt at ease with the work I was given.

We were warmly welcomed at a arrival with a nice welcome breakfast where we introduced ourselves and were explained about Savills and the business. The graduate recruitment team have all been kind and approachable and made you feel like you were valued and appreciated. The staff in my team were also kind and welcoming and they consistently thanked me when I did work for them and provided positive feedback. The director in my appraisal meeting also reminded me that I'd been a benefit to the team which was really nice.

There was a good level of guidance, I felt like whenever I asked a question that it was quickly answered and I didn't feel like I was bothering anyone when I asked them. Tasks on the whole were clearly explained to me so I knew what I was doing. There was the odd occasion where I felt like the explanation for tasks lacked a little context but if I asked a question it was always cleared up.

I was only here for a week but I learnt a lot. The level of complexity of the tasks were perfect to build on previous knowledge and it was great to be trusted to work on live/real examples. It was a great way to gain some practical experience before commencing my theory-based masters. It will also help me to gain other work experience placements going into the future and to improve my CV for applying for graduate jobs, and hopefully the Savills Grad scheme!

The Savills Summer Scheme was well structured. There was departmental overviews throughout the week for the last hour of the day and I think this was a good way to keep us in the office til the end time of 17:30, and it rounded off the day nicely. The only feedback I'd give about the actual presentations were that they were branded as an "overview" and they were presented to all Summer scheme students - this way, you'd expect them to be explained to someone who didn't know what the different specialisms were. However, they were explained using technical terms/abbreviations , and didn't actually give a basic explanation of what the different departments did, so I didn't feel like I learned a lot. I will note however that [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] presentation on property management was great, he explained things in a intuitive way, the presentation was fun, and he was naturally engaging. It was definitely the most inspiring out of the four.

I was quite daunted at first joining such a professional and successful company. However, everyone was warm and welcoming and were happy to introduce themselves and talk to you. Because of this my nerves calmed throughout the week and I felt very relaxed towards the end of the week. People were happy to meet you for coffees and even approached you to give you insights/guidance which was much appreciated. It definitely made me realise Savills is a company I'd love to work for.

There were some tasks which I felt were hands on and were a great opportunity for me to learn about wider planning policy and planning procedures. They were explained clearly and succinctly to me so I could get on with the task and wasn't lost trying to find resources. However there were one or two tasks that were given to me that I thought were hard to work on given the fact they were mid-way through a long a complex project with many parties involved. On these occasions I felt a bit lost and like the confusing context was holding back my development a little. That said, if I had a question it was quickly answered and I didn't feel like I was bothering by asking.

The week was a great way to see the daily roles and tasks of a full-time planner. This was because after being in the office for half an hour I was straight to my desk responding to emails and taking on tasks that would be given to any of the other graduate planners. I think that's what I appreciated the most about the week. It was a real behind-the-scenes look into what planners do every day in their job and we were treated like a real employee.

There was a lack of social events but this was due to COVID restrictions so could not have been feasibly carried out anyway. The kind and friendly atmosphere in the office, and the graduates taking me out for a drink one night was a great way to see that Savills is a fun and welcoming company to work for so I got a good insight in this way. It would have been nice to maybe have a presentation about Savills culture/company events so we can learn what life would be like working for Savills when there aren't COVID restrictions

The week definitely confirmed my desires to go into the world of planning as I enjoyed all the tasks that were given to me and they were very varied and showed me different types of jobs that a planner might take on. It has made me more excited to begin my masters studies in town planning and then enter into the planning profession after university. It has also helped me realise that Savills is a company I'd really like to work for in the future after my studies if I was given the opportunity.

Due to COVID restrictions, the placement was reduced to a week and it was made unpaid. I didn't mind at all and I was really grateful that the Summer scheme was still put on, when the majority of property firms cancelled their schemes all together. It was helpful that the travel expenses were reimbursed, and lunch expenses. It certainly made the week more affordable that what it would have been if nothing was covered at all.

If you were confident, you were able to chat to the members of your team around you and network and glean some information and insights about what it's like to work for the company. There wasn't however any explicit ways to meet employees unless you reached out to them. This was largely due to COVID restrictions and is completely understandable as it would have been inappropriate to organise large meetings or social events given the circumstances.

On the occasion that I met with an employees, or had a drink with the graduates they were always very willing to answer any questions you may have. They also encouraged you to make arrangements to meet other people which was a good reflection of the welcoming company culture. Everyone I met in the office seems warm and friendly and fun so I'm sure we would've had more social events if the COVID restrictions weren't in place.

Apart form chatting to a few colleagues about social events, no. There wasn't any information on the presentations that dicussed social activities/sports/events or conferences. It would have been nice to hear more about this.

Yes definitely. I would tell them they have to be driven and hard working and confident though because I do think it's not for everyone. But if you are passionate and you want to work hard and succeed and gain some good experience I would certainly recommend the insight to a friend because as I've mentioned it was enjoyable and very insightful.