Summer Scheme Placement Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement within the Cardiff Planning Team. I was always kept busy and always felt like I could ask a team member if I had a query in relation to a task I was completing so I always understood what was expected of me.

I was included as part of the team from the beginning with every member of the team.

I felt constant support by management and supervisors. I felt like every member of the team was approachable if I had a question or if I was unsure of something. If a team member asked me to complete a task the majority of times they would check back in with me to see how I was getting on.

Busy to the extent I always had a job to be completing but never felt swamped with the work load. I was clear what was expected of me when I arrived in the morning and what jobs I needed to be carrying on with throughout the day ahead.

I felt the level of responsibility that was expected when filling a temporary summer placement position that was expected with the role. I had the responsibility of composing planning applications for a regular client. I always completed these to the best of my ability and to a high standard but I was aware they always needed to be checked by a senior colleague before submitting.

The skills I have developed and the training received during this placement are fundamental for my degree studies and future career within planning and development. This placement allowed me to put skills and knowledge learnt while completing my postgraduate course into practice which is essential to allow me to develop this knowledge and these skills further. This placement has put me in a great position to apply for the graduate scheme with Savills due to the knowledge I've learnt and contacts and relationships I've built during my time with the company. I feel the knowledge I have gained has increased my confidence within the planning and development sector which is highly beneficial for my future career.

The general size of the Savills Cardiff office is relatively small so I generally had the chance to meet everyone within the office, who were all very friendly and welcoming. The Planning team themselves are a very vibrant team, friendly, chatty and have a general laugh with each other which is always enjoyable within a team.

Very well organised. I was given my own desk, own email account, access to all hard drives for storing any work and access to view all folders. This was all introduced to me on day one so I was aware of how all of the systems work and knew my way around them all. My mentor was always aware if I was to complete any tests required for the summer placement as well as keeping me up to date about what I was going to do.

No training was really required for the role. I was always explained to as to why I was conducting a certain task or why something was done in a certain way. This was really useful in terms of my development as I was always aware of the nature of my task and why it was necessary for the team.

Very appealing. From my time spent in the Cardiff Office I am very motivated to apply for the graduate scheme beginning September 2016. I really like the way the company conducts themselves, really admire everyone's work ethic and believe the company would be an excellent company for me to work for and somewhere I feel I definitely would be provided with training and development as well as knowledge and a great working and learning atmosphere.

As I was based in a regional office as opposed to London there weren't may social activities to attend. I attended a leaving lunch with my team but that was the extent of the activities. In saying that I was only with the team for a month. I often received invites or notifications that people on the same placement in the London offices often arranged social events that I was unable to attend due to location.

I have lived in Cardiff for the majority of my life so the cost of living and socialising was normal to me.

Again, I have lived in Cardiff the majority of my life and feel the city has always had a good nightlife.

Not during the month I was there.