A virtual placement allowed me to gain valuable experience into the planning industry

How did a virtual placement enable you to undertake a placement under challenging circumstances?

A virtual placement allowed me to gain invaluable experience into the planning industry, from the safety of my own home during the third lockdown. Placements have been incredibly hard to find due to the pandemic and the challenges that it has presented, so I really appreciated the opportunity to learn through a well organised and coordinated week.

What did you do day-to-day on the placement?

My week with David Lock Associates was characterised by a combination of set planning tasks and workshops. I also had the opportunity to attend a planning forum and was given a mentor for the week to help reflect at the end of each day. I was asked to complete a site appraisal for a residential development site, which required me to consider the development potential of the site with regards to planning and other material considerations. Additionally, David Lock put us into pairs to produce a planning officer’s report where we had to weigh up the factors that could contribute to the planning application gaining or being rejected planning permission. We had interesting discussions in the workshops, around topics such as the green belt as a planning regulatory tool and the use of GIS in their company.

How did a virtual placement differ from an in-person placement?

The only major difference between this virtual placement and one in person was the fact that I was unable to meet the team and my peers in person, which was a shame. Having said that, I would say that this experience proved to me that virtual placements can be extremely beneficial if they are structured and coordinated as well as this one was. I was able to get professional insights into the world of planning and took just as much from the experience as I have from other face-to-face placements!

How has the School's employability team helped to support you?

Having the School's employability team’s support throughout my time at University has been such a luxury. Their weekly newsletter has provided me with details of all the latest opportunities which can range from placements and graduate roles to talks with experts in the planning profession, or with recent graduates and how they have found their experiences since leaving University. The employability team also provides you with extensive materials to help improve your CV and cover letter writing skills, plus advice for interviews and assessment centres. It was through the employability team and newsletter that I learnt of and secured my placement with David Lock and subsequently my graduate job starting in August!

How did this experience help you secure a graduate role?

This experience was very useful in securing my graduate role. Not only did the experience help me decide on the sector I wanted to go into and the type of firm I wanted to work for, but I was able to directly apply the knowledge I gained from the tasks I completed for David Lock Associates to my CV and covering letter and the subsequent interviews. I was asked to complete a site appraisal as part of my second interview and having completed one with David Lock Associates, I was confident I could make a good job of it!