Although I am only a few months into my role here I am already starting to utilise many of the skills picked up during my time at Sheffield.

Can you tell us what a typical day in your role is like? 

Every day is different, but will often include undertaking property viewings, reading and interpreting leases, liaising with clients in person or on the phone, and drawing up schedules of comparable data from research. As I am only a few months into my graduate role I expect to take on more involved tasks in the weeks and months to come. 

What attracted you to this role, and what aspect do you enjoy the most? 

I was drawn to the role by the firm, which had been approachable and communicative throughout the interviewing process and had gone out of their way to make me feel welcome, even inviting me out for lunch after the interview to meet the whole team in a less formal setting. 

Location was also an important factor. Norwich is a very friendly and safe city with a lot of surrounding countryside. I love spending evenings and weekends outdoors, so this was an important consideration when weighing up where to relocate for work.

The most enjoyable part of the job is that no day is ever the same. I spend a lot of time out and about travelling, meeting new clients, and visiting different sites. This really helps to break up the day, and prevents the monotony often found with office-based work.

What skills did you learn during your degree that you use in your career? 

Although I am only a few months into my role here I am already starting to utilise many of the skills picked up during my time at Sheffield, in particular the interpretation of leases, comparable data analysis, report writing, measurement, and valuation. Using and enhancing these skills is key to supporting surveyors in day-to-day work, and ensures you have the knowledge to successfully complete the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). 

Why did you choose to study with Department of Urban Studies and Planning at Sheffield? 

I was attracted to study at the University of Sheffield for a number of reasons, including its prestige as a Russell Group university and the structure and reputation of its MSc Real Estate degree programme. I also had a personal connection to the university, with several Alumni in my immediate and extended family who had all greatly enjoyed their time at Sheffield and strongly recommended the institution. 

What advice would you give to someone thinking of studying/looking for work in your field? 

Always take up the opportunity of relevant placements or work experience as this will be invaluable when trying to secure an interview and job offer. Fortunately I had over two years of office-based work experience behind me, but I was still competing against students with direct property experience in a difficult job market. 

For anyone feeling daunted by the mathematical side of surveying, including more complex and sophisticated methods of valuation and DCFs, these are in practice quite rarely used in General Practice, even by senior surveyors. Where you have to undertake more technical work you will be supported along the way and your introduction will be gradual and structured.