Construction Management in Yorkshire - Advice for a junior?
Discussion
Hi all,
I am currently studying towards a degree in Construction Management at Sheffield Hallam University and I am still contemplating which area of expertise within the industry I would like to pursue. My particular interests lie in Site Management, Project Management and Site Engineering.
Im looking for a work placement to start at some point this summer, hopefully for the minimum 44weeks that Uni requires in order for it to count towards my degree.
Just after for a bit of advice from people in the industry really. I have sent my CV and covering letter out to countless construction firms in Yorkshire and throughout the country and so far have only managed to secure one interview, the results of which I’m still waiting for.
If anybody has and advice, recommendations or tips it would be greatly appreciated. With the industry still not on its feet I know finding somebody to take me on is going to be tough, but with a bit of look and a lot of hard work im hoping to get there soon!
Many thanks, Mitchell
I am currently studying towards a degree in Construction Management at Sheffield Hallam University and I am still contemplating which area of expertise within the industry I would like to pursue. My particular interests lie in Site Management, Project Management and Site Engineering.
Im looking for a work placement to start at some point this summer, hopefully for the minimum 44weeks that Uni requires in order for it to count towards my degree.
Just after for a bit of advice from people in the industry really. I have sent my CV and covering letter out to countless construction firms in Yorkshire and throughout the country and so far have only managed to secure one interview, the results of which I’m still waiting for.
If anybody has and advice, recommendations or tips it would be greatly appreciated. With the industry still not on its feet I know finding somebody to take me on is going to be tough, but with a bit of look and a lot of hard work im hoping to get there soon!
Many thanks, Mitchell
I work as a QS for a large contractor with a regional office in West Yorkshire. Drop me a PM and I'll give you a contact for someone to send your CV to. The industry is in a bad way, but frameworks and public spending means there is still work out there for the right guys. Might might worth looking to subcontractors as well - I know of a groundworks firm in the area whose MD is a car nut and raced to FIA GT3 level in recent years. All the best with it, buddy.
Andy
Andy
Mitchell - I also did a placement year while I was at Sheffield Hallam.
Which faculty are you? I'm guessing it does not come under ACES (I did engineering), but I bet the setup is very similar.
Arrange an 'extra' meeting with the placement office. I know you will have done the few compulsory lectures/sessions on placement, but these dont really help!
Go see the placement team, explain your situation, and pester them! They will know who to talk to, and they will also know which staff members have the right contacts in industry - I eventually learnt that the way to get through University successfully is not by being the cleverest or best at essays, but knowing which members of staff you need to butter up and get pally with - much like the big bad real world!
Other than that, you need to go on a complete offensive with your CV. Emailing them out is good, but you need to start ringing aorund and pestering people, asking for names and number, and be almost embarassingly determined to speak to the right people!
Good luck though - I learnt more in my first month of placement that tutors can teach you in 3 years. You'll enjoy it.
Which faculty are you? I'm guessing it does not come under ACES (I did engineering), but I bet the setup is very similar.
Arrange an 'extra' meeting with the placement office. I know you will have done the few compulsory lectures/sessions on placement, but these dont really help!
Go see the placement team, explain your situation, and pester them! They will know who to talk to, and they will also know which staff members have the right contacts in industry - I eventually learnt that the way to get through University successfully is not by being the cleverest or best at essays, but knowing which members of staff you need to butter up and get pally with - much like the big bad real world!
Other than that, you need to go on a complete offensive with your CV. Emailing them out is good, but you need to start ringing aorund and pestering people, asking for names and number, and be almost embarassingly determined to speak to the right people!
Good luck though - I learnt more in my first month of placement that tutors can teach you in 3 years. You'll enjoy it.
Edited by snotrag on Thursday 25th February 17:09
Thanks for the information chaps,
Chevronb37 - You should have mail. (First PM iv sent, hope it worked!)
Snotrag - Have I seen pictures of your Mx5 outside the Rising Sun? Great route if it is! Thanks for the advice, construction management falls under the built environment umbrella. Based on your experience it would seem as though we havnt been given as much support or guidance...
Im gonna book an extra session with the careers advisor and move on from there, maybe it is time to stary calling. I was warned it may piss people off, but at least ill get noticed. Thanks again for the tips.
Any other advice would be much appreciated!
Mitch
Chevronb37 - You should have mail. (First PM iv sent, hope it worked!)
Snotrag - Have I seen pictures of your Mx5 outside the Rising Sun? Great route if it is! Thanks for the advice, construction management falls under the built environment umbrella. Based on your experience it would seem as though we havnt been given as much support or guidance...
Im gonna book an extra session with the careers advisor and move on from there, maybe it is time to stary calling. I was warned it may piss people off, but at least ill get noticed. Thanks again for the tips.
Any other advice would be much appreciated!
Mitch
Exciting time for you Mitch, chevronb37 gives sage and wise advice ... speak to the main contractors with a good forward order book via the various schools frameworks, Yorbuild, etc. My feeling regards approaching sub-contractors for a placement is that you will have to be exceptional (and I am sure you are!) given things are so tight margin wise that any addition to the team has to bring something significant to the table to justify their overhead.
Also, consider the likes of Bramall who are massive in housing refurb and new build affordable housing, not as glamorous as some of the other big M/C's but they seem to have maintained a strong workload despite the climate.
Sincerely hope you get a start soon and best of luck with your placement
Also, consider the likes of Bramall who are massive in housing refurb and new build affordable housing, not as glamorous as some of the other big M/C's but they seem to have maintained a strong workload despite the climate.
Sincerely hope you get a start soon and best of luck with your placement
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