Sharlotte Madziyire, from Harare in Zimbabwe, is studying the BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management. As part of the course, Sharlotte completed a one-year paid work placement with AMCO Rail, which offers construction, asset maintenance for both private and public sectors, engineering and rail works.

"The post l held was Junior Quantity Surveyor (JQS) in minor works. My main roles were managing subcontractor’s payments, preparing estimates and final accounts and sending out weekly reports to our site managers and the director.

The job was advertised at University. I applied and fortunately, was asked to attend an interview. I had mixed emotions, both happy and nervous, as l wanted to impress my interviewers. I was thrilled to be awarded the placement.

I chose to go on placement because I didn’t have any industry experience to put on my CV and I knew this would go against me when looking for a job. 

Several of my classmates work part time and they are always the ones who know all the answers in class! This motivated me to gain some knowledge of Quantity Surveying outside University to improve both my academic performance and my chances of getting a good job afterwards.

The placement was so valuable. I developed budgeting and negotiating skills. I enhanced my measurement and quantification skills when I went on site to measure structures, and I improved my written and verbal communication skills no end.

With my academic and industry experience, l now feel in a much better position to achieve a good job after I graduate. What’s more, AMCO Rail have offered me a part-time role with them while I am studying."