Read about what two of our recent graduates have to say about their experiences at Fisher German:
 | David Powell works mainly in the rural estate management and planning sectors and is becoming increasingly involved with renewable energy initiatives. |
 | Henry Gurney specialises in estate management, valuations and property sales. He has also recently taken on the challenge of managing Fisher German’s sporting agency. |
Q Why did you choose Fisher German?
David: Fisher German really appealed to me as a professional, forward thinking firm with a great team ethos. The enthusiasm at all levels within the firm speaks volumes about Fisher German’s approach to developing their staff.
Henry: I wanted a firm with a good reputation for graduate training and one that would allow me to pursue my interests and expand my knowledge within the profession.
Q What did you know about FG before you joined?
David: I knew the firm was well known for its innovative approach within the rural surveying profession and undertook a wide scope of rural practice work. I knew of several graduates who had been through the graduate training programme and rated it very highly.
Henry: Having been brought up in Oxfordshire I was aware of the firm’s presence in the area and their reputation as a modern, forward thinking and expanding firm which provides high quality service in all aspects of property consultancy.
Q What do you like about the firm?
David: The fact that the firm has a reputation for providing a complete professional service within the rural property sector in the UK. There is great support from the partnership to graduates undertaking the APC and CAAV qualifications and excellent long term career prospects.
Henry: In addition to the excellent graduate training programme and support you receive from your supervisor and counsellors there is a huge diversity of work that you are involved in on a day to day basis. You feel 100% involved in all aspects of the portfolio that you have been allocated, and are always aware of guidance and support from your colleagues should you require it.
Q How do you rate the APC training you received?
David: The APC training was very good and I was well prepared when I sat the final assessment. There was a clear structure set out in the Structured Training Agreement (STA) and excellent support in the form of ‘myAPCdiary’ software, regular meetings with my nominated Supervisor and Counsellor and a mock APC assessment by internal assessors.
Henry: As previously mentioned, one of the predominant reasons for joining Fisher German was the quality and success of the graduate training programme. Whilst the emphasis is very much on the graduate to ensure that all submissions and deadlines are reached, the counsellor and supervisor are very much aware of what was required to get me through the APC and ensured I had sufficient hands on experience in all my chosen competencies.
Q Do you enjoy the socialising within the firm?
David: There are great opportunities to socialise within each office and with other FG offices. It is easy to get involved with a unique range of sporting and recreational activities including Dragon Boat racing!
Henry: There have been many opportunities for me to socialise with other colleagues, not only from my department but other offices on a regular basis. I have been involved in a number of staff outings as well as cricket matches and more recently the firm’s participation in the RICS National Surveyor’s Rugby Tournament. I have also been involved in the RICS five aside football tournament as well as completing the Four Peaks challenge in 2008.
Q Have you been offered opportunities to diversify your skills?
David: Yes - I have recently been involved with several renewable energy projects which is an area of our work I am very interested in. I have developed a broad knowledge and experience in all aspects of rural professional work whilst also being able to develop my career in the areas I am most interested in.
Henry: Now that I have completed my APC, I am conscious that I am being given more opportunities to increase my skills, knowledge and experience in different areas of surveying. This is extremely beneficial as it further broadens my knowledge and hopefully in time will allow me to become a more knowledgeable and rounded surveyor.
Q Are your skills being kept up to date?
David: We have regular Life Long Learning (LLL) meetings as a firm which not only allow you to develop new skills and knowledge but also allows you to learn from projects other colleagues are undertaking. There have been numerous opportunities to further develop management and client care skills through seminars and workshops run by Fisher German and outside trainers.
Henry: Since qualifying in November 2008, I have been given a number of opportunities to further my skill set such as public speaking and presentations.
Q Have you been given responsibility for your own projects?
David: Yes - during my APC and since qualifying there have been a number of estate management, agency and professional projects that I have undertaken for clients. Not only does leading a project develop the all round skill base that is important for career development but it also gives a sense of achievement and responsibility. It is also very satisfying working as part of a team to achieve successful projects.
Henry: It would certainly be fair to say that within the diverse portfolio of rural estates that I assist in, there have been a number of projects that I have been allocated to complete which gave me a huge sense of responsibility but at the same time safe in the knowledge that there would be support should I require it.
Q How do you see your future in FG?
David: I am extremely proud to work for the partnership and there are good opportunities to gain important experience as well as developing my own areas of work and bringing new business to the partnership. There is a clear career structure and many role models within the firm who have progressed to a senior level.
Henry: To date my experience within the company has been extremely positive and it is clear that should I wish to progress within the firm there are boundless opportunities.
