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Elliott Routh, BSc (Hons) Real Estate

Elliott
Routh

United Kingdom
My year spent working at JLL was invaluable. The experience gave me the opportunity to develop all areas of my professional abilities, including presentation skills, industry knowledge and technological experience.

More about Elliott

What made you choose to study at NTU?

I chose NTU due to its reputation, as the course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and highly respected within the property industry. The University has a great atmosphere for students to learn and develop personal and professional skills, along with focused and passionate lecturers.

Have you been involved in any live projects or exciting briefs?

During my first year, we were tasked with developing a solution for the development of the Boots site in Nottingham. This project gave us the opportunity to express our ideas and produce a viable, working development for the location.

In my second year, I was lucky enough to travel to Dublin with the University to produce a presentation on the diverse property market of Ireland. The trip gave us the opportunity to experience a new and interesting market. This visit to Ireland was particularly important to me, as it gave me the opportunity to secure a placement with one of the industries most respected companies JLL - from which I worked as a Retail Agency Surveyor in the Dublin Office.

Tell us a bit more about your work placement.

My year spent working at JLL was invaluable. The experience gave me the opportunity to develop all areas of my professional abilities, including presentation skills, industry knowledge and technological experience. I learnt quickly to negotiate, represent and communicate with other industry professionals, helping to further my development within the property sector.

JLL gave me the opportunity to experience my potential career as an agency surveyor, with all the challenges and rewards the job brings.

How did you source your placement?

Whilst in Ireland, I was keen to network with a range of companies and professionals I had met during the Dublin trip. I had prepared my CV to a competitive quality and began communicating with the HR teams of multiple companies. The NTU Employability team were extremely helpful, giving me useful insight into creating an appealing CV.

I believe selling yourself is extremely important when trying to apply for any role. I was keen to make sure property companies knew how dedicated and driven I was to source the correct placement for myself.

Have you had any speakers or lecturers from industry visiting as part of your course?

NTU regularly bring in external speakers from property companies to present lectures. During the Property Development Principles and Practise module in my second year, two speakers really stood out for me: Nick Ebbs from Blueprint, and Nick Herbert from Nottingham City Council. Both speakers presented on the development of different areas and building.

The guest lectures give insight on what professional practise is like, along with the challenges and rewards. Having industry professionals visit the University is key for our learning as it prepares us for the property market. Nick Ebbs from Blueprint inspired me to consider regeneration as a future part of my property career, due to the rewarding benefits the company has produced.

Have you been on any trips with your course?

During my time at NTU, we have been on several field trips that gave us first-hand experience of the property industry. The trip to the Daventry International Rail Fright Terminal (DIRFT) site in Northampton, marketed by real estate investment trust company Prologis, helped provide valuable skills including professional photography, property marketing and measuring.

The DIRFT site visit gave me an insight on the increasing rise of the industrial sector and allowed me to demonstrate the potential possibilities for industrial use.

What advice would you give to a prospective student thinking about studying your course?

Take an interest in the context of your course and read about the subject. The property industry is vast and constantly evolving, so try to keep up with the latest news and technology within the industry. Property experience is key. Try to secure work experience within a property firm or professional organisation.

The teaching at NTU is fantastic, the staff push you to achieve your best. To really understand the industry though, you must experience it first hand for yourself!

Which of your modules did you particularly enjoy and why?

Employability and Commercial Awareness was a key module for me as it gave me the opportunity to sell myself as a professional. The skills I have developed in this module allowed me to secure a fantastic placement which benefited me hugely.

Tell us a bit about the staff on your course – your lecturers, tutors, administrators and technical staff. How do they support your learning and University experience?

All the lecturers on my course are fantastic and push you to achieve and perform at your highest ability. Having industry experience themselves, they motivate and prepare you for the next part of your working life.

Surgery drop-ins allow you to make sure you have completely understood what they are teaching you and clear up any uncertainties you may have in the lectures. The small seminar classes help you learn efficiently and effectively with the rest of your peers.

What do you like about studying and living in Nottingham?

Nottingham is a great student city, having a range of student bars, clubs and activities for everyone. The city is tailored around student life and there’s always events on for everyone, from sports to socials.

What do you hope to achieve after completing your degree?

As a property student, I hope to become an agency surveyor after completing my degree. I am aiming to complete my APC to achieve my chartered qualification and further progress my career in the property industry.

Sum it up for us, what do like most about your course?

The course helps to practically prepare you for your career in the property industry, by giving you hands-on experience.

Still need help?

+44 (0)115 941 8418
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