Summer Student Review

My placement was an interesting, yet challenging introduction into highways consultancy, with a selection of varied tasks which provided a good overview of the design and maintenance of highways. The eurocentral office was a somewhat quiet workplace, though I was never afraid to ask for assistance when needed and colleagues were generally very friendly and helpful.

I was actively involved in a number of schemes, never afraid to ask for assistance and was made to feel very much a part of the team.

I was given a very good introduction into this business, and allocated a wide range of activites. I was able to quickly resolve any problems/ difficulties i had during the tasks with the aid of both senior management and colleagues. Numerous meetings and seminars were held during my time to introduce summer students to the business and opportunities available.

On the whole I was kept fairly busy during my work period, though I feel that as this was an introduction to highways consultancy, with a little more experience my timetable would have been filled.

Although I worked on mostly minor improvement schemes, these were my own responsibility upto completion. These were more than sufficient for my level of education and experience, providing a challenging experience overall.

Whilst not directly related to my own discipline, this was a very valuable intorduction to the skills needed in the practical side of engineering disciplines. I do, however, believe that the experience I gained in cartographic techniques, GIS and AutoCAD design will be invaluable to my degree course and overall career progression.

The office was very quiet, i often found it quite impersonal, and difficult to talk to colleagues. This was probably the worst aspect of the placement.

Very well, numerous seminars were set up, with the attendance of the higher echelons of management, to introduce us to Amey as a business and the opportunities offered to graduates for professional development and sponsorship. Although no official training scheme was implemented, I found the work was designed to gradually build my abilities through the summer, from having virtually no experience to a good level of competency by the end.

Amey clearly wish to invest in future, young talent. There is none as such for summer students, but the opportunities for graduates are numerous. Career development and fast-track routes to promotion for highly-skilled individuals are key to their business set-up.

Their strong investment in talented graduates will almost ensure the ability to attain a job at the end of your degree, especially with prior experience from work placements. From then on, career progression is also highly focussed upon.

There are some opportunities for work nights out, including the annual xmas party. Hillwalks and charity events also occur regularly.

About average, Glasgow is an affordable city in general.

Glasgow nightlife is the best, an extensive range of clubs and music scenes throughout the west end, with loads of gig venues in the city, and other live activities.

The only activity organised outside of work is regular organisation of hillwalking at the weekend, in places close to the central belt.