Completing a placement year is the most beneficial thing I could have done for my career. Placement enabled me to gain industry experience of the field that I wish to have a career in and allowed me to establish connections with industry professionals. Without placement I wouldn’t have been able to secure a graduate role within the same company as businesses often bring their placement students back once they have graduated. Companies invest in the right people so exceed expectations of the role and show them that you are the right person for their team.

 

 

What were your duties on placement?

My placement was office based with some field work and I worked full time for 40 hours a week (during final year I worked part time for one day per week). My duties primarily consisted of writing environmental constraints reports, ecological reports, Construction Environmental Management Plans and EIA Screening and Scoping assessments. Moreover, I was able to support the wider team through project management work.

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement. When I started I was a little worried about starting an office job, however, my team were very welcoming and supportive.

 

What advice would you give other students considering a similar placement? 

Say yes to any opportunity that is presented to you. My team and I were invested in my professional progression, and my willingness to do more than what is expected of the role definitely helped me secure my graduate position. Social value is also very important at Amey with the early careers challenge providing me with an opportunity to network with people from different teams and offices. Winning the early careers challenge also allowed me to meet and network with the executive team so you really should go outside of your comfort zone because you never know where it could take you!

 

Samuel Rowan

BSc Environmental Management