Graduate Planner Review

My role includes: -assisting members of my team with preparing pre-application advice requests; -assisting members of my team with preparing planning applications; -carrying out site appraisals for prospective sites; -attending client strategy meetings; -attending a range of meetings during the pre-application stage; and -sending a weekly email update to the Agency and Investment teams in the City office detailing planning decisions and meetings.

I've developed my ability to critically review sites considering the various different factors which influence the potential development on sites. I've also developed my skills in writing planning pre-application letters and drafting planning statements. I've developed my interpersonal skills by liaising with planning officers, clients and consultants.

I am really enjoying my programme. I'm finding that the modules I'm studying at university are helping me with my work and it's great to see the links between the two. I really enjoy the work that I do and I've been able to gain a lot of experience by working on an array of different applications in the five months that I've been working so far.

My programme is well structured as I have my university study day every Thursday. This helps me manage my workload and helps me to balance my university studies and work commitments. The Apprenticeship programme at Savills is very well organised and I receive regular communications via email and Teams.

I receive excellent support from Savills. The graduate and apprenticeship schemes at Savills are well established and provide clear communication. My team know that I am at university on a Thursday which helps me to manage my workload. The university interact with Savills through review meetings which helps communicate updates and my progress in both my job and my studies.

I receive very good support from my training provider. Weekly lectures are an important part of my studies and the resources for these are circulated promptly. My university also arranges review meetings with myself and my line manager in order to review my progress both at work and at university which is very helpful for me. My university also provide feedback on my assignments promptly so that I can use the feedback to improve my future assignments.

My studies are really helping me in my role. Particularly, the planning law module I'm studying this semester is really helping my understanding of planning appeals and case law. Also, my studies are helping my understanding of planning legislation and policies. Writing essays for my assignments is also helpful in my role given that I frequently compose planning cover letters.

professional networking events such as Women in Planning.

Yes

I've been really well supported in my first five months in my job. I've been given lots of opportunities to work on different applications and schemes in my team which I've found really interesting. Savills has a well established graduate and apprenticeship scheme and as a result, graduates and apprentices receive excellent support.

I would advise others applying to Savills to: -be able to express why you want to join Savills (read Savills blogs or listen to the podcast); -express how your experiences (Academic, co-curricular or professional) will aid you to succeed in the job applied for -Keep up to date with any major projects the division of Savills you're applying to is responsible for -Be aware of the support Savills offers to graduates and apprentices