What are your main responsibilities in your placement role?
Assisting environmental consultants and technical specialists in the planning stages of developments, mainly highways projects.
How did you find out about this placement opportunity?
I found this opportunity on the Mott MacDonald website.
Can you tell us about any help you received from Academic Tutors or the Careers Service while you were applying for placement opportunities?
The Careers Service helped me with my CV, cover letter, and practice interview for this, and other placements I applied for.
Are you enjoying your placement? Can you tell us a bit about some of your highlights to date?
I’m really enjoying my placement and feel like I’m getting really good experience into the roles and responsibilities of environmental consultants. Although based in the environment and sustainability team, I’ve had the opportunity to work across many different teams including ecology, GIS, stakeholder engagement, landscape, and water consultancy.
What is the most exciting thing you've done on placement so far?
I have really enjoyed doing getting out on site doing ecology surveys. So far, I’ve done bat, dormouse, crayfish, badger, and habitat surveys.
Please can you give us an overview of what a typical day on placement has been like for you?
Every day is different as some days will be desk-based and other days I will be out on site. On desk days I often create environmental maps, coordinate environmental reports, and prepare presentation material for internal and client meetings.
How has your degree helped you to be successful on placement?
My degree has taught me about a wide range of environmental processes and functions, such as air quality monitoring and environmental management planning, which I’ve been able to apply to the projects I’ve been working on during my placement.
Do you feel that your placement with also equip you for life after University?
My degree has taught me about a wide range of environmental processes and functions, such as air quality monitoring and environmental management planning, which I’ve been able to apply to the projects I’ve been working on during my placement.
What advice would you give to students thinking about doing a placement year?
It’s definitely worth it! It will give you the chance to apply what you’ve learnt in your degree so far and you will learn so much while having lots of fun.
