The Top Employers Guide 2016-2017

What Annabel thinks...
Annabel Kate Downing
From
University of Leeds
Studying
Architectural Engineering
(Industrial)
Position
Engineering Placement
Student
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
What was the interview process like?
The initial sign up on to the scheme was
simple; this was followed by a variety
of tests and interviews before attending
the final stage, the assessment centre.
Network Rail was great at keeping me
updated at every stage of the way.
How much responsibility do you have?
I was given a great amount of
responsibility which made me feel part
of the team, from evolving the way major
structures are managed on the route to a
training scheme to prepare engineers to
examine tunnels.
“The atmosphere was a friendly
working environment, with a
balance between working and
socialising.”
What advice would you give to
students applying for your role?
Don’t be put off by the fact it is an asset
management placement and seize every
opportunity that you come across, this
way you will experience much more. I
was fortunate enough to spend a few
days with a heritage architect on the
Ordsall Chord project.
What do you most enjoy about your
role?
The highlight of my placement was the
variety of exciting projects I got to be a
part of, both office and site based. No two
days were the same!
How has this experience exceeded
your expectations?
At university you do not gain an
appreciation for asset management. As
my placement was in an area I had never
experienced I was a little apprehensive
as to what to expect. However it has
definitely exceeded my expectations.
What is the office atmosphere like?
The Manchester office is a large open
plan modern office block, with each floor
split in to zones. The atmosphere was
a friendly working environment, with a
balance between working and socialising.
What activities are there outside of
work?
Network Rail heavily promotes
their graduate and undergraduate
opportunities at various open days and
career fairs that placement students can
help at. There were also various STEM
outreach projects we could get involved
in as well as charitable work.
@RateMyPlacement what a year
full of great experiences it has been, I
have loved every minute of it! Thanks for
having me @NetworkRail #dontwanttogo
#Placement2016
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