Cavan
Byeley

Why NTU…

Why did you choose NTU and your course?

I have always been interested in the construction industry, and was weighing up between engineering, architecture and quantity surveying. To which I landed on quantity surveying for my love of numbers but also for human relations as well as. In this I was searching for the best universities that offered this and NTU was in the top 5, after discussing with people whom had gone to university I landed on NTU after hearing great recommendations.

What do you think about the course staff? How do they support your learning and university experience?

The course staff are excellent with many being ex industry professionals therefore allowing us to learn from their industry experience further developing our knowledge whilst studying. They are easily contactable and always available to help.

Have you been involved in any live projects of briefs on your course and if so, can you talk a bit about one you really enjoyed?

Recently as part of the 3rd year we have been involved with a live site in Nottingham which is the Spencer academy school. Fortunately we have been lucky enough to visit this site learning about the project.

Does the “real” NTU match what you’d imagined? How does it compare with your friends’ experience at other universities?

It has exactly matched what I had heard about the university, it’s a very social university and it feels like everyone knows everyone. I’ve definitely had friends compare their university experience with myself where they have believed I’ve had a better time than they might have had at their respective universities.

How would you promote NTU to potential students in 10 words or fewer?

I’ve never looked back really…

On Placement…

Have you completed any work placements on your course? If so, tell us about your experience – where did you go, what did you do, what skills have you gained and what have you enjoyed the most?

Completed a placement year for VolkerFitzpatrick working at RAF Lakenheath on a Joint Venture with Kier Eastern and Kier Strategic Projects, which was based in Suffolk. I gained a breath of knowledge on construction infrastructure projects as well as a great understanding of how the industry operates. My skills of contracts significant improved as well as gained a great understanding of what to really look for a as QS.

How did you source your placement? Did you get support from NTU?

VolkerFitzpatrick was the only company that came in and held a talk to the NTU students, with this it was a simple matter of applying for the ITP role via email containing a CV, and then going through an interview stage.

What is your favourite project that you’ve worked on during your placement and why?

I only had the opportunity to work on one project on my placement year as the project as ongoing, however what I thoroughly enjoyed was the scale of the project, as it was very expensive and a large project being a maintenance unit for F35 fighter jets.

What advice would you give to an NTU student about to begin a placement?

Ask questions… a lot. I started an ongoing project that people had been working at for years, without finding out everything you possibly can my time there would have been made a lot more difficult. Also don’t worry if you don’t know the answers or how to do things, your not going to know everything the first time round. Additionally, you are never going to have so much responsibility that the project will fail if you make a mistake, everything goes up the flagpole and is checked.

Outside of the Lecture Theatre…

Did you find it easy to make friends and settle in at NTU?

I started in a COVID year which struggled me to make as many friends as I had wanted to, but in the second year I joined a society and that’s where I really made a lot of friends. I’ve felt settled since starting, even though I didn’t have the best flat to begin with you meet new friends very quickly .

The Next Steps…

What’s next for you after NTU?

I have already been offered a graduate role by VolkerFitzpatrick, and therefore will be rejoining the company in September 2024. Where this project will be still is yet to be decided. After this I will aim to become chartered as soon as my career lets me, in this being able to climb ranks inside the company.

Has the employability team helped you plan for life beyond NTU?

I have not asked for any help from the employability team however I have had housemates that have whom have said how helpful they are.

How is NTU helping you to achieve your career goals?

NTU laid the groundworks in order to help me achieve my career goals as they highly recommended VolkerFitzpatrick, then in this I have started the first couple steps of my career as a Quantity Surveyor.

Advice...

What top tips would you give anyone thinking about studying your course at NTU?

Further reading….but doesn’t have to be reading as such. I felt like what was beneficial was just having as likeness to the industry, even if it’s something like watching grand designs. If you like the industry and have a sort of outside knowledge then the course can become more enjoyable as well as can make it become easier.

What advice would you give to help new international students get settled in at university?

Just to start talking to as many people as possible, as the first people you meet may not be ‘your people’. So talking to many different groups really helps! Even joining a society is very beneficial and you can really start to feel like part of a family.