Applications have opened for the next Insight Programme starting in March 2024. This fully virtual programme is aimed at students not reading a property-related subject at university and looking to know more about surveying and planning.
Our Insight Programme is designed primarily to provide a foundation to build an understanding of services and careers within the planning and surveying industry. By generating interest from a broader candidate pool, our programme enables us to grow and diversify our talent pipeline outside of the usual cognate university students.
Brogan Fodczuk, our Early Careers Talent Advisor, said: “We found that many of the non-cognate students our panels interviewed for graduate roles were extremely talented but struggled to articulate their career aspirations due to limited knowledge. Our Insight Programme intends to provide individuals with an opportunity to get a real understanding of Fisher German and the services we provide”.
The programme is intended to be as interactive and engaging as possible. It will include presentations and talks, personal development training, group, and individual tasks as well as access to a buddy to make it a meaningful and enriching professional work experience. The three days are all delivered virtually so students from anywhere in the UK can attend.
The participants can take part in team tasks and activities around different sectors, such as preparing a rent review for commercial premises, putting together a residential sales brochure, creating an illustrative master plan of a site, and looking at options for a barn conversion.
There are also individual tasks aimed at encouraging the participants to reflect on their understanding, personal preferences, and skills to help them determine what they’re good at, what they like most and what they want to achieve in their careers. Finally, to help them apply for surveying placements and jobs in the future, we help them improve their interview and CV writing skills.
Brogan added: “We have had some great feedback from those previously attending our Insight Programmes. Some were initially interested in a career in property but were not sure of the roles within the different sectors. The programme shows them how varied and different the sectors are and will hopefully empower them to define their career goals. From the previous programmes we have taken on participants in both graduate and placement capacity which goes to show it has supported some to take the next step in their career path.”
Gaia Sugden, joined our last Insight Programme and is now on a placement year with our Utilities and Infrastructure team. She said: “When I applied, I already knew that Fisher German had a great graduate and placement support system. I am a non-cognate student studying Business Economics at Sheffield University, so I was unsure of what options I had to become qualified.
“At the time, I was open to exploring various sides of the business and was keen to learn more about the wide range of opportunities available to those just starting out in a career in surveying. I wasn’t sure which area I wanted to specialise in but after nine months within the infrastructure sector as a placement student, I am now intrigued to expanding my knowledge and developing my career further in this sector.
“I thought that taking part in this programme would give me further knowledge and preparation to begin my placement year and it did! Each day we learnt about different sectors within the firm, we were set tasks to complete, and some were quite challenging, but a great way to get involved and there were lots of opportunities to ask questions and find out more from colleagues already working in the business.”
The next Insights Programme will run for three days from 25-27 March 2024. To apply, CVs need to be submitted with a cover letter stating why you wish to attend our programme and what you’re hoping to gain from it. Applications close at 4pm on Friday 1 March 2024.
