Today is our Student Planner Tom’s last day with us at EP before he goes away for a break over summer. We asked him to share how he has found the past couple of years working at EP and what he is most looking forward to when he returns as a Graduate Planner in September.
“As I get ready for a summer break, I wanted to share a bit about my journey as a student planner over the past couple of years. It’s been a great experience, and I’m excited to be back in September. Here’s a look at what I’ve been up to.
One of the best parts of my time here has been working on rail projects, especially those in the North East and West Yorkshire. These projects have been incredibly rewarding, giving me the chance to work on everything from smaller tasks to larger development-specific work. This wide range of experience has really boosted my confidence. I’ve gone from shadowing to leading important projects on my own, especially those that are regionally important.
This year, balancing my part-time work at EP with finishing my degree has been great. I’ve been able to use what I’ve learned here to help with my studies and the team has been incredibly supportive, helping me come out of my shell and grow.
Working here has shown me how great small businesses can be. The variety of projects and the close-knit environment offer something you might not get in bigger organisations. I liked that I wasn’t thrown into the deep end but instead given a chance to build my skills gradually. One of the best parts of my job has been the site visits. Traveling on my own and meeting professionals from different sectors has really helped me grow my network and improve my communication skills. These experiences have been great for both personal and professional growth.
As I think about the future, I’m excited to work towards my chartership in the coming years. The foundation I’ve built in my first few years at EP has been great – I’m looking forward to coming back in September, and seeing how the projects have grown.
Enjoy your summer, and see you soon!”