"A great way to find the career that you are passionate about": Will discusses his placement experiences

A BSc (Hons) Rural Enterprise and Land Management student has demonstrated the value of the Harper Adams placement year after securing a graduate job before even completing his studies.

Final year student Will Griffiths, originally from Shropshire, has secured a graduate position at Carter Jonas, following a successful placement year with the property consultancy and estate agency. 

Growing up on his family farm, Will says he became “interested in maximising the potential of land and property” - and so choosing to study his degree at Harper Adams seemed an ideal way to take a first step into industry and learn the skills he needed to work in the land management sector. 

He said: “The course appealed to me mostly because of the wide range of modules covered, meaning that there are lots of different career options for REALM students after graduation. 

“I was impressed by the employment record at Harper Adams and thought that the placement year would be really valuable, helping to build professional skills along with providing industry experience. This is really useful as it helps you to understand the line of work that you would like to go into after graduation.” 

While on placement with Carter Jonas, Will worked in the company’s Infrastructure Team in Birmingham. 

“This was a great placement as it involved a variety of work from valuation, compulsory purchase to property management,” he said. 

“The placement year is hugely important as it can identify areas of the profession that you are especially interested in, helping to guide you when considering post-graduation roles.  

“It has helped to improve my professional skills, practical knowledge and steered me towards the line of work that I will go into as a graduate.” 

He will be returning to Carter Jonas as a graduate once he completes his studies next year and will be working with the Energy Team while he works to complete his Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) - which is needed to become a full Chartered Surveyor. 

“This is an area that I am passionate about and was fortunate enough to gain some practical experience with during my placement year. I am hoping to successfully pass my APC within two years of graduating. 

“If you are interested in the rural environment - even if you are not sure exactly what you want to do as a career, the Land and Property Management Courses at Harper are a great way to find the career that you are passionate about.” 

Want to find the right course for you? Sign up to our Undergraduate Open Day in March 2023. Also, if you are interested in LPM, why not sign up for our Land and Property Management Experience Day in February.