Did you know you wanted to do a placement before coming to university?

Yes, I actually decided when I was about 17 years old, which sounds quite young! I went to see a careers advisor at the time to learn more about university courses and future options. She recommended choosing a course with a placement year, so from then on I made it my goal to make sure I could do one.

What led you to the quantity surveying course?

It came together quite naturally for me. I loved studying business and maths at college, and when I was younger I spent some time working on a construction site with a friend. I grew up around building, but I knew I didn't enjoy the hands-on, physical side of it. I always pictured myself in an office, somewhere warm, doing what I loved which was combining maths and business.

Around the same time, my brother, who also worked in the trade, introduced me to quantity surveying. That sparked my curiosity, and I realised it was a perfect link between construction and business. It meant I could keep working with maths, which I really enjoy, while being part of an industry with plenty of opportunities.

I didn't want to choose a path that left me uncertain at the end, I wanted something that gave me a clear direction. Quantity surveying ticked all those boxes.

So, what brought you to Leeds?

I'd always wanted to come to Leeds. I had options elsewhere, but Leeds just felt right for me. I only knew one person here before I arrived, but it was reassuring to know I had a least one familiar face around.

What did the process of applying for a placement look like for you?

As soon as second year started, I began searching and applying. I knew my CV wasn’t the strongest and I didn't feel very confident in interviews, so I reached out to Beckett Careers straight away for support. They helped me improve my CV and gave me the chance to do four or five practice interviews.

Through them, I also connected with Grad Core, the external support team through Beckett Careers. I had a mock interview with an interview specialist who scored me 8 out of 10, which gave me a real confidence boost. We also did group interviews, which helped me feel more comfortable in that setting too. By the time I faced real placement interviews, I was able to show my professionalism and put my best self forward.

I received offers from three companies, but Rider Levett Bucknall stood out straight away. Their offices were welcoming, the environment was warm and professional, and it ticked all the boxes I’d imagined. After my interview, I felt a great connection with the partners, which made the decision easy. Another big factor was that they're a consultancy rather than a contractor, which meant more opportunities and variety in the work.

I accepted the placement in January-February and started my placement in June. I asked if I could start earlier than September as my academic year had already finished. It was the perfect chance to gain full-time experience while earning and preparing for my future career.

What did the day-to-day look like on your placement?

My placement was a typical 9-to-5 position. I continued to live at university, stayed connected with my friends, and still had access to all the support available. The first three months were definitely a challenge as I adjusted to the workplace, but once I settled in, I really started to enjoy the job.

I didn't rely on support during my placement, and in a way, that’s the point. You're thrown in at the deep end to learn for yourself. Support was always there if I needed it, but I felt confident enough to manage on my own.

And, when you look at the bigger picture, what did you takeaway from the experience?

I’d say the biggest takeaway was competence in my own development. It’s not just about confidence, it’s about being confident in my ability. I was already a fairly confident person, but I didn’t have much knowledge or professional experience to back that up. My placement gave me the chance to build those skills: improving my professionalism, learning how to communicate differently, and really understanding the job I’ll be going into.

That year reaffirmed that quantity surveying is the right path for me. I discovered there’s so much depth to the role, which makes it even more exciting, and it showed me that I’ll always have opportunities to keep learning.

What does the future look like for you now?

I feel fortunate to be in a position where I can shape my own future. The opportunities I've had mean I don’t stress about what’s next, and instead, I'm starting to enjoy the journey.

At the moment, I'm still working two days a week with Rider Levett Bucknall while I finish my final year. At the end of my placement, they asked if I wanted to continue with them, and of course, I couldn't turn down the opportunity. From the start, I was open about my goals and asked whether part-time work after placement might be possible. They've supported me continually to be where I am today.

It's been a bit of a shock seeing my uni friends move out and finish their courses while I’m still here, but know that when I graduate, I’ll already have the experience I need to step straight into a graduate position.