Graduate Surveyor Review

I am a graduate surveyor at Savills on their rotating graduate scheme and am, alongside, completing a MSc in Real Estate with UCEM. We rotate into different teams every 4 months, so our role varies depending on the sector we are working in. However, overall we are responsible for supporting surveyors in day to day tasks and developing our professional competence.

I have learnt a huge amount about the industry and the relevant skills required to succeed as a chartered surveyor. Key skills I have developed include good communication, attention to detail, time management and effective team work.

I really enjoy my programme, including both the people I work with and skills/knowledge I am developing. I particularly like that the masters apprenticeship programme allows me to work whilst completing further studies.

It is very well organised. We have one day a week to focus on our studies, which allows us to effectively carry out the structured training alongside our day to day professional work. UCEM and Savills together also offer us great support throughout the programme.

We receive great support, including an assigned study day a week, the option of a Masters buddy (former apprenticeship graduate), and termly check-in calls with our current team mentors.

We receive good support from UCEM, with an person contact from the provider offering us guidance throughout the degree and ensuring termly catch ups to check-in on our progress. Our lecturers are also very supportive; they understand and effectively accommodate for the potential struggles of having to balance work and studies.

My qualification in Real Estate is constantly supporting and speeding up my progression within my role as a graduate surveyor, but developing my industry knowledge and offering me useful resources to improve my day to day work.

Yes, there are lots of different activities you can get involved in be it the Charity Committee, the Client Relationships Committee, or a number of groups within the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. I also play weekly for the company netball club, which has been a great way to meet others within the firm and at other real estate company's too.

Yes

Savills offers graduates a great breadth of opportunity, with the 4-montly-rotations allowing us to gain experience in lots of different real estate sectors. There is also lots of support throughout the scheme, with regular HR check-ins, training days and a personal counsellor/supervisor provided for every graduate. There are also lots of fun extra-curricular activities on offer too, such as the company sports teams.

Try and gain as much relevant experience in the industry as possible; it's good to be transparent about areas of the industry you are less familiar with, and it's best to just be yourself.