SUMMER 2018 • SPOTLIGHT• 23


We caught up with Will Robinson, Alice Stephens, Harry Barlow and Will Dale to understand the highs and lows of their placement experience.


How have you found transitioning from university to office life?


Has your year been beneficial? Do you feel prepared for your final year?


Alice: Difficult at the start! Getting used


to the early mornings and long days took a while, but since getting into the routine office life has been great. I can enjoy both my evenings and weekends as they are kept free from studying!


Harry: Tough! At first it was painful – particularly when all your friends start back at university and you miss out on mid-week lie-ins! Nevertheless, you soon settle in and getting up every morning quickly becomes routine.


What is the best moment you have had during your year at Colliers?


Will D: Colliers has not only been a great place to work, I have also enjoyed a balance of networking and sporting events. Tere have been a number of great events, but the RICS Matrics ball and Planning Law Conference are highlights of the year. It is great to have access to such prestigious events that can present some useful networking opportunities.


Will R: We’ve been given so many great opportunities at Colliers, it’s hard to pick just one! I’ve loved all the social and networking events that we’ve been able to attend, but I particularly enjoyed getting involved with a homeless charity over Christmas; Colliers had a ‘reverse advent calendar’ where everyone bought in items of food to be given to the homeless, and it was up to the placement students to coordinate this on behalf of the office. It felt great to be able to give something back whilst working for such a large business!


Will R: Yes, it has been highly


beneficial, allowing me to put the theory I’ve


from two years at university


into practice, and to return to my final year with a broader understanding of the industry. Te experience has only fuelled my passion for the built environment even further!


Harry: I have loved every minute of it.


I’ve been given so much responsibility, in terms of meeting clients, carrying out inspections and even letting or selling the properties that Colliers are marketing.


Will D: Doing a placement at Colliers is not like any placement or work experience that I have done before. Usually, the work being completed on work experience placements does not reflect the reality of the role. However, at Colliers I have felt that I am trusted to complete work both in and out of the office independently, and I have had to learn fast so that I was able to become a beneficial part of the team. It’s also really helped towards filling in my APC diary and signing off competencies within my chosen pathway.


Would you like to work for Colliers International after your degree?


Alice: I have really enjoyed my time


at Colliers; the office has a great vibe and everyone is really helpful and friendly. I have been given lots of responsibility, the chance to develop my skills and most importantly, I’ve really enjoyed it!


Colliers International


Harry: Definitely – it’s been a big learning curve but I really feel like I’ve been able to apply my knowledge in a work environment, whilst also learning so much about how a commercial real estate business works in practice.


Will R: My words of wisdom would


What would be some words of wisdom you would pass onto a new placement student starting at Colliers?


be to get used to ironing shirts, early mornings and making your own lunch! Always say yes to every opportunity that is presented to you, from the RICS Matrics ball to the BPAA Cycle Sportive. You will be very fortunate to have an insight into the industry, giving you confidence in a sector where you can see yourself working after your degree.


Will D: Enjoy it! And try to absorb as much information as possible. Being at Colliers and working in the industry for the year is a great opportunity to start to learn where and what department you might like to work within in the future. Tere are also so many opportunities to meet clients and people working within the same industry. Talking to these people and understanding what their role is within the sector, as well as hearing some of the project and personal experiences first-hand is a hugely valuable experience.


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