Paola shares details of this opportunity for young Islanders. Ed
Looking across most towns and cities you can’t help but notice the amount of construction and development work that is underway, but have you ever wondered who is behind it all? Who spots the areas for development? What are the planning considerations? Who finds the companies to occupy all that new space when it’s finished? Basically – how does it all happen?
The simple answer is that there is a whole industry out there – worth over £9 billion and employing over 10,000 people in the UK – under the banner of ‘Property’ that comprises a wide range of exciting and highly-rewarding careers, from real estate and planning, to architecture and design.
Pathways to Property
The school of Real Estate and Planning, Henley Business School at the University of Reading, is the number one place to study Real Estate in the UK and with the support of the Reading Real Estate Foundation (RREF) and the wider industry started the Pathways to Property project in 2012 with the aim of raising awareness of and widening access to the Real Estate Profession.
Residential summer school
The highlight of the project is a fully-funded four day residential summer school, aimed at year 12 students.
The programme is designed to give successful applicants a real taste of what it is like not only to work in the industry, but also what it is like to study at university and gives them the opportunity to:
- Explore current themes in property such as sustainability, housing issues and regenerating cities and find out how real estate and planning courses build on the knowledge you acquire through A Level (or equivalent) study;
- Take part in lectures, seminars, talks and site visits led by staff and students from the School of Real Estate & Planning at the University of Reading;
- Develop an understanding of the career opportunities in property by attending activities led by recent graduates and industry professionals;
- Learn more about student life and study in higher education by taking part in campus tours and evening activities.
Work experience placements
Students who complete the Summer School are also invited to apply for a week-long work experience placement at a leading firm and take part in an e-mentoring programme with an undergraduate mentor.
If students then enrol on the Real Estate & Planning course at the University of Reading they will receive a £1,000 bursary as well as the opportunity to apply for further financial support.
Applications by 31st May
Now in its fourth year, applications are currently open for the 2016 Summer School (taking place 25-28 July at the University of Reading) but will close on 31 May 2016.
Further information and details of how to apply can be found on the Website.
Watch this short video for a snapshot of the programme from a previous year
Feedback quotes from students who were enrolled on the 2015 programme include:
I have thoroughly enjoyed Reading’s Pathways to Property Summer School. It has enabled me to find out more about the property industry – directly from industry professional which I would never have been able to do myself.
Not only has the Summer School furthered my interest in a career in property, but also motivated [me] to try harder in school to achieve the grades that will allow me [a] place on such a great course. Callum – Summer School participant 2015
‘It was really interesting to see the day-to-day work of a surveyor, and the diversity it can bring to any given day… I absolutely loved it and was sad to leave at the end of the week, hopefully I will return one day as an employee, who knows!’ Sophie, Work Experience October 2015
For further information email [email protected], or call 0118 378 4194.
