How long have you been with us and what did you study at university?
I have been with Persimmon Homes for six weeks now and am finishing up my final two weeks in my first rotation, land and planning. I studied Law at the University of Leeds, so it may come as a shock to hear that I am now in property. The thing is, I have always had a keen interest in property, having a dad that’s in construction and growing up on building sites, it’s something I have always had my eye on – but you can only do one degree at a time!
What are you doing at the moment?
As I mentioned, I am currently on my final few weeks of my land and planning rotation. My next rotation will be in the technical department – it’s scary just how fast the time has gone! In my land and planning rotation, I have undertaken various revenue assessments (assessing the value of houses in an area to inform Persimmon’s pricing structure), land searches (using specialist tools to find ideal parcels of land which we could develop) and attended various events whereby I have had the opportunity to learn about our operating areas and meet individuals from various backgrounds.
What do you enjoy about working at Persimmon?
One thing that was massively important to me was finding a purpose in my role. At Persimmon, I have been able to find that quite quickly (or naturally should I say). Yes, it’s a large company, but we are still searching for more land to develop on. With increasing housing need and policy changes from the Government, we are all working towards a common goal – building quality houses in areas of need. It’s safe to say that you’ll get to take on some good responsibility when you join Persimmon, and your work will make a difference.
How have you found the graduate scheme so far and the support you’ve received?
I have nothing but positive things to say about the graduate scheme so far. Madi, the creator and manager of the graduate scheme, had been incredible in supporting us and creating a structured programme in which we can integrate ourselves into Persimmon in a way which feels structured and comfortable. I have gained a fantastic network of graduates across the business and have had a wealth of support and resources given to me to succeed here with Persimmon – I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about applying ?
Although I have a law background, I have found that there are plenty of transferable skills that I picked up during my time at university, both academically and extra-curricular. My advice would be to not be afraid to step in to something new. The benefit of the rotational scheme is that you have the opportunity to explore what you enjoy, so really there’s very little risk. Not only does Persimmon get to see whether you fit into the role, you also get to understand where you fit – an opportunity so few people are given. All you need to do is approach it with positivity, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn – Persimmon will teach you how to build houses and find land, it’s much harder for them to teach you how to be enthusiastic or pro-active.
Anything else you think is helpful for future graduates to know?
The opportunity that I have been given at Persimmon has brought me more than I could ever imagine. I know that sounds a bit fairytale, but it’s true. I have been to various events that I would never have thought of going to, met people that I would never have otherwise met, and settled into an environment which is constantly giving me purpose and fulfilment. It’s a no brainer that Persimmon is the ideal choice for anyone considering a role in the housing industry – they have given me a wonderful opportunity and I am excited to see where my next rotations take me!