All about Work Experience

Work experience is invaluable. As Ema Saunders, head of talent acquisition at Savills says: “I’m passionate about work experience. The work experience I had taught me that I did not want to do what I thought I wanted to do. So instead of wasting time training for it, I spent one week learning that I did not want to be a travel agent. I encourage anyone to spend a day or just an hour shadowing anyone they can.”

Knowing where to start can be difficult. One option is to identify firms in the local area that offer real estate services and approach them directly. They may be able to offer short work experience placements or a chance to speak with industry professionals.

Keep an eye on careers fairs in your local area, as well as in your school or college. Many property companies attend careers fairs and undertake schools outreach. Think about questions you might like to ask and be sure to take advantage of having an industry professional to speak to.

 

Early insights

Many of the larger real estate firms have formal work experience and internship schemes, which are typically advertised via their websites or arranged in collaboration with partners such as Career Ready (see box, p69). Work experience placements tend to be shorter in length (perhaps one or two weeks), while internships tend to be longer.

One starting point could be Pathways to Property, led by the Reading Real Estate Foundation. It runs a four-day fully funded residential summer school – open to year 12 students from state-funded schools and colleges in the UK – which provides an introduction to the industry. Participants interested in exploring further can then undertake a one-week work experience placement in a property firm and join its e-mentoring programme.

RREF also runs regional industry-focused insight days as part of the Pathways scheme. Guided by the same application criteria as the summer school, participants can attend an insight day, then expand their learning via the work experience scheme.

For those in under-represented communities, there are opportunities available via organisations such as the 10,000 Interns Foundation, which runs the 10,000 Black Interns and the 10,000 Able Interns programmes. Various property companies – for example the Crown Estate – also offer placements.

Another scheme, run by the Land Collective, is Black Girls in Property. Available to year 11 female students in London who are of Black or mixed Black heritage, it provides a week-long opportunity to gain insights into the sector and learn about available opportunities.

The Land Collective will also run a virtual internship programme in summer 2024, in addition to its ESG Launchpad, aimed at university students and graduates from under-represented backgrounds.

 

The next step

Once you have gained some work experience, an internship is a natural next step, particularly if you’re thinking of applying for a graduate or apprenticeship scheme. School leavers, for example, might consider the six-month Landsec internship scheme, launched in April 2023. It provides entry-level experience via on-the-job learning across a range of roles, not just those that are property focused. Applications open in mid-February for April 2024.

For undergraduates, the large real estate companies offer internship programmes across a range of locations – typically in the summer holidays. Savills, for example, runs a paid four-week summer internship scheme for second and final-year university students looking to complete one more year of study before joining a graduate programme.

 

Grasp every opportunity

There is a wealth of opportunity available to those seeking to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the industry and the options covered here are far from exhaustive. Be inquisitive, do your research and, whatever area you choose to explore, grasp the opportunity.

 

Top tips for securing  work experience

Ema Saunders, head of talent acquisition, Savills

“It is a fascinating industry and there are so many opportunities to engage with: hot topics, new podcasts, webinars, networking events and seminars. Go to those and listen to as many people talking about the industry as you possibly can. Do not think that because you are somebody who is just joining the industry you should shy away from having your own opinions. It is an industry that affects everyone and you should be able to articulate what impact you want to have.”

Caroline Banks, head of learning & development, the Crown Estate

“Property is not just about buildings, there is so much more. Look at things with an open mind, because once you are in the door, the world opens up. Be yourself. Show what is important to you and where you want to focus your development. Do not be afraid to question and challenge. We arrange for our interns to speak to our chief executive and other leaders within the company.”

Natalie Barnicott, head of people, UK, CBRE

“Demonstrate a passion and interest in property. You do not need experience or understanding, but tell us what interests you about the sector. Show us a bit about yourself. Talk to us about your values, your interests and why you think CBRE is aligned to that.”