Architecture, Design and the Built Environment

Lauren West

Lauren West
BSc (Hons) Planning and Property Development
Placement company: McDonald's Restaurants Ltd
Position: Property Management Assistant Surveyor

What projects were you involved in during your placement?
My placement was a sandwich year with McDonald’s Restaurant in the Property Department helping with the management of all the Northen McopCo Restaurants.  I was based in the Birmingham office and shadowed the Property Management Surveyor in most of his work and at times working alongside him on certain matters.  This involved general maintenance queries involving any issues with the restaurants to lease renewals and rent reviews.  My biggest individual role was to monitor the global re image programme for my stores.  This involved legals, planning, architectural work and monitoring the programme of scheduled works.

Has the placement experience helped you make a decision regarding your future career?
Yes certainly, it has allowed me to continue to learn whilst being in the work place and that is something that I would like to take forward with me into my future career.  Being involved so heavily with the re images has allowed me to communicate with project managers which is something I would like to investigate more.

Would you recommend NTU and your course?
Yes NTU has been an experience I would want others to experience, it offers a fun environment as well as support when needed.  My course will have given me all the basic knowledge to allow me to build upon in the industry.  NTU offers placements on my course and this will have without doubt strengthened my work ethic and mind set.