Building a career from day one: Placement to professional
Investing in early careers is an important part of who we are at Cundall. From summer placements and year in industry internships, to graduate and apprentice positions, we believe that supporting the individuals who will shape our future is invaluable. We sat down with Mia Poppelwell, Structural Engineering Intern, and Alex Harvard, Marketing Assistant, to discuss their experiences.
Mia has completed three summer internships with us during her studies and is looking forward to a bright future in our Edinburgh office. Alex joined us on a year in industry placement, stepping away from academia for 12 months to focus on a full-time marketing role in our Manchester office. They now work with us on a part-time basis during their final year of university.
How did you find the job?
Mia: Following my third year of MEng Civil Engineering at Heriot-Watt University, most of my peers began applying for summer internships. I found an opening for a summer internship at the Edinburgh office through the company website. Following several rounds of interviews, I joined Cundall in July and worked there full-time for three months. It was an amazing experience, and I found it really refreshing, and it made me genuinely excited about the prospect of working as a graduate after finishing my degree.
Alex: Originally, I applied to the University of Manchester to complete a BA Liberal Arts degree with International Study, which would have sent me overseas for a year. But I soon found myself putting down roots I didn’t want to disturb whilst they were still new and tender, so I changed tack and opted to start searching for a work placement, here in Manchester.
I was already working in marketing at my university’s Students' Union and had a good grasp of my skillset. Figuring out what I might enjoy was the difficult part, honestly, but it slowly led me to seek more creative roles.
When Cundall let me know that I’d made the shortlist for an interview, it progressed quickly from there. Visiting the office for the first time was daunting but thrilling, especially seeing how airy and casual the office seemed, with an open plan layout, pleasant natural light and exposed brickwork - I had been envisioning a corporate office as the uninspiring backdrop out of some workplace comedy.
What encouraged you to come back?
Mia: I really enjoyed working in an environment where I could see the impact of my work. I liked the fast-paced atmosphere of the office compared to the longer deadlines at university, and it felt like a better fit for me. I appreciated how direct and practical the learning was, and I felt that I learned so much more that way. I was able to create industry relationships through my placements and lean on those individuals during my studies. The relationships with everyone in my office, not just those in leadership positions or my direct team, felt authentic and encouraging.
When I started my fourth year, I realised I really missed working at Cundall, so I reached out to see if we could arrange a part-time position while I continued my studies. This arrangement turned out to be incredibly valuable; not only did it suit my learning style better, but it also helped me become a better student. I found that I understood certain engineering concepts much more clearly after applying them in a real-world setting.
Alex: Being invited back was broached a few months before my placement year came to an end. I immediately decided that I had to figure out a way to make it work. The request was that I continue working part-time during my final year of university, with the intention to return full-time upon graduating. Honestly, it was a dream come true; not only have I truly enjoyed the work and the opportunities presented, but the potential stability was more reliable than anything I had imagined for the end of my undergraduate degree. I don’t think I considered at any point not coming back.
I have exposed myself to the industry as much as possible in the past year, and every piece of feedback I have heard speaks highly of the Cundall culture, the attitude of the people, the flexibility of opportunities, and the level of independence we enjoy compared to other similar companies. There is also a lot I can see on offer on the horizon, which is what motivates me long-term. Ample opportunity for training, qualifications, progression, and pursuing the aspects of my role that interest me over ones that don’t: it all keeps me excited for what is to come, running at full tilt to meet the future. I’ve found the routine and support allow my love of learning to flourish.
What is your advice to students considering a placement?
Mia: A placement is an amazing opportunity that makes the transition from student life to full-time work much smoother. You gain a genuine understanding of how an office environment operates and what professional life is really like – something that you cannot learn in a university lecture hall.
I’d especially encourage students who sometimes find university repetitive or slow. Don’t let the fear of deadlines and exams stand in the way of going for that internship! In a placement, you’re constantly working on new tasks, which keeps things engaging and helps you grow both technically and personally. You will grow more in a 3-month internship than in an entire year at university.
Alex: Hold your plans lightly and don’t get too bogged down in planning the minutia of your perfect dream future. Not only does a lot change in the time between beginning university and graduating, but there will be opportunities you could not have foreseen in places you have never thought to consider.
People may tell you not to compromise on what your dreams are, but in my experience, being open-minded and aiming to ‘yes, and-’ will open more doors than by reflex shutting down whatever doesn’t align with your vision. Knowing people, offering favours and goodwill, and trying to be a helpful and visible presence everywhere you go will get you further than you imagine. People will want to help you if you help them first.
The experience you gain from a placement year is irreplaceable in the current job market, where the classic ‘graduate role that needs 1-2 years of experience in the industry’ is becoming a frustrating norm.
People will notice the difference in your confidence, initiative, independence and level-headedness after the extra year out of academia, from what I’ve seen when comparing my peers who took time out working with those who didn’t. It gives you time and space to mature in a way that staying in your comfortable, familiar academic spaces doesn’t encourage.
I believe wholeheartedly that choosing to complete a placement year was one of, if not the best decision of my academic journey, and certainly a pivotal one for my professional career.
