Sandwich Placement Student Development Review

The Residential Development team primarily consists of Valuation, Agency and Consultancy work. My role as an undergraduate surveyor is to understand, apply and assist within these three main pipelines through practical and independent learning which is guided through my APC to ensure I am working competently throughout my day-to-day tasks. My role is predominantly undertaken within residential and development valuation, which consists of preparing detailed valuation reports for clients who require our valuation services and advice on their assets. Our team predominantly assist on development valuations and loan security valuation however also provide reports for clients who simply require a revaluation for accounts purposes. Our valuation instructions vary from client-to-client and may require our services for the sale or acquisition of a site or to understand the financial viability of a proposed scheme, in which case we would provide a development appraisal, either as a residual site value or the residual development profit of a scheme.

I have come to learn, valuations are very client specific and so no report is the same, as the purpose of the report and details of instruction are different throughout which means our approach to valuation and due diligence must cater to the clients request.

I have been handed a lot of responsibility from my team which I have enjoyed. Of course my work gets checked and peer reviewed but I have learnt a lot from being given a piece of work and completing it from start to finish.

I have had the privilege of working within a very supportive team filled with expert leaders within the Savills branch and so the level of guidance I have received has been second to none. Savills also provide a lot of online courses such as my learning which have been very useful in understanding my role better.

Everything is about the people. The company atmosphere encourages people to do their best by working within a collaborative environment. Supporting people stands at the forefront of this company which is why people like to work with Savills.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time during my placement year and have learnt a lot about the work and the culture of Savills and the property industry which I look to use to my advantage going into my final year at university. I definitely consider a Placement year to be beneficial for any student as it gives an insight into the work post graduation.

Yes

Particularly within this industry, everything is about people. Savills is a very client centric company and that's how they create business. The theory learnt at university doesn't compare to the actual work and experience gained through the job so look to show case your knowledge and understanding but more over demonstrate that you are personable.