What does your average day as a graduate look like?

No two days are the same! An average day in my life as a graduate could include preparing specification documents ahead of proposed building works taking place, or writing up and negotiating dilapidations claims, all whilst advising clients on their assets accordingly.

When I’m not in the office you’ll find me out on site. This could be either to report on the condition of a property as part of the acquisition process or to attend active building sites to review the progress made. Recently I had the pleasure of attending a progress meeting at a £100m project that is underway! The great thing about being a graduate at Hollis is that you can gain exposure to a range of sectors and services, which is key for experience.

What was your journey into real estate?

Whilst I was fortunate to have exposure to the industry from a young age, as I had family who worked in real estate, I still had no idea just how many opportunities and pathways there were. I didn’t know anyone who worked in the consultancy side of real estate so deciding where in property I would be best suited to and subsequently deciding on a university course was a daunting prospect for me. I really had no idea what to expect so when the opportunity came up to attend the Pathways to Property Summer School, I jumped at the chance. Attending the summer school and taking part in the subsequent work experience solidified my passion for the built environment, and after lots of research I decided that the Building Surveying course at Reading University would give me that key technical knowledge which would be the perfect start to my career in real estate.

How did you join Hollis?

A few of my Hollis colleagues went to the same university as me and presented a lecture where they spoke about Hollis and their graduate opportunities. The people-first culture and APC support instantly caught my eye and I applied for the graduate scheme later that evening.

A month later I had my interview which was split into three sections: a short presentation on my favourite building, a technical interview, and a general interview with the People and Culture department. I was delighted to hear the next day that I had secured the role and would start in September following my graduation in the spring.

The process happened in January of my final year at university which meant I could solely focus on my final year and dissertation without the worry of applying for graduate roles at the same time.

What do you enjoy the most about your role?

The constant learning. Every day is different which means I’m constantly learning new things and pushing myself. This helps to keep my work engaging as I’m continually challenging my thoughts and really applying myself to my work. I have a great support system of colleagues and mentors who help me along and answer any questions I have. This paired with the level of responsibility I’m given as a graduate means that by the time I sit my APC, I’ll be extremely well prepared and comfortable.

Finally, a top tip to other graduates looking to join the real estate industry

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! People are at the core of the industry, and so pushing yourself to take the first step to connect with people will be beneficial for your career. Whether it’s reaching out to industry professionals for work experience, job opportunities or simply to chat about their role in real estate and to gain a better understanding of the many pathways available to you. This will also help you to start building up a network and relationships with individuals throughout the industry, which will prove incredibly advantageous as you continue your journey into real estate.