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Graduate surveyor: Peter

This Case Study belongs to Estate agent.

Peter graduate from the University of Birminigham in 2007 with a degree in geography. He then went on to obtain a MA in Real Estate and is now a graduate surveyor at Savills.

When I graduated from the University of Birmingham, I was in the same position as many of my peers – wondering what to do next! After initially spending time teaching I worked for an investment bank for seven months, and it was there in the surrounds of Canary Wharf and the looming global economic crisis that I decided that the banking industry wasn’t for me and that my true interests lay in the commercial property industry.

I applied to study at the University of Reading and managed to gain a place on their real estate Masters programme in the hope of gaining the RICS accredited degree required to become a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) . Prior to starting on the course I also applied to the summer scheme at Savills, which is run to provide experience to prospective graduates prior to application to their full graduate scheme. This was a great opportunity to meet people not only at Savills and learn about the firm but also meet others in the industry and experience it first hand prior to studying at Reading. This experience was key to gaining industry experience and knowledge which proved vital during the graduate scheme interview process. My advice to any prospective graduate would be to gain as much experience, in any shape or form as possible – it can really make the difference!

The course at Reading was fascinating and taught me about all aspects of the commercial property world including, valuation, property law and property investment. As well as being directly related to my chosen career path what was great about the course was that we asked to do assignments and reports similar to those we might be expected to do in the industry. Often lecturers would demand the most up-to-date information and opinions on the property industry, often we would present to our peers in much the same way that surveyors present to clients in the industry. This was a great way to learn and also hone other, associated skills - property, of course is a career that stretches your inter-personal skills as well as your intellectual ability.

I left university in the summer of 2009 and joined Savills in September on their graduate scheme. Since joining I have become part of the West End Office Agency Team who specialise in office lettings as well as vacant property sales and development consultancy. Having started in the team I have had the chance to get fully involved in all aspects of the teams work including marketing and conducting viewings at our instructed properties, negotiating with prospective tenants and assisting with the sale of one of the best office buildings in Mayfair! The job certainly allows you to have a lot of contact with other people and it is by no means an ‘office’ job; I now know the West End of London very well.

I have taken on more responsibility, taking on my own requirements/negotiations and have regular contact with our clients. The nature of the programme here at Savills means that I will eventually move on to other teams at the firm. Whilst I am excited at the prospect of learning more about the commercial property industry when the time comes I will be sad to leave Office Agency - hopefully I will be able to return after my professional exams - it is a fantastic place to work.

Case Study sourced by Jo Wolff of Middlesex University, 18 December 2009.