A keen interest in property led Sam to study Real Estate at University, it was during this time that he found his interest in land and development, which lead him to his chosen career path. As he celebrates his one-year mark in the industry, he takes a moment to look back and reflect on his experiences thus far.
First Impressions: Looking back, I remember feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity when I first joined Newton LDP. The team welcomed me with open arms, and I quickly found my footing. The setup at Stockton House is impressive, and the Central Group Operations team made me feel welcome from the start.
Expectations vs. Reality: Honestly, the reality of the job surpassed what I initially expected. The variety in my daily tasks keeps things interesting; one day I could be out visiting potential sites, and the next I am handling discussions with potential buyers for a site that we have on the market. There is always something new and engaging on the horizon, it sounds clichéd, but no two days are the same!
Learning and Growth: My first year at Newton LDP has been a period of intense learning. While I have gained valuable insights into strategic land deals and development management, I have also expanded my knowledge across different aspects of development agency and consultancy.
The best part? Being part of a director-led team means that I am always learning. This has helped me build strong relationships with my colleagues. Also having the opportunity to attend networking and training events has further boosted my professional profile.
Notable Experiences: There have been quite a few memorable moments in this past year. Having the opportunity to be involved in launching and the marketing of two strategic land opportunities within my first month was an extremely insightful experience. I am now involved with the marketing of individual parcels of a consented Sustainable Urban Extension on the edge of Coventry.
Our annual charity clay shoot was another highlight. We hosted 180 property professionals, over 45 teams, followed by a lunch, charity auction and raffle. We all had our role to play on the day as well as being part of the team that helped set everything up. It was hugely rewarding, especially as we raised nearly £28,000.
Collaboration and Networking: The team at Newton LDP understands the value of collaboration, networking and building strong relationships. I got the chance to host my own networking event earlier this year, helping me to further develop my relationships with others in the industry; it is great to see how the company values these industry relationships.
Looking Forward: As I approach my one-year mark, I am excited about what is ahead. This time next year I will be getting ready to sit my APC, so I am already considering what I am going to do for my case study. The team are supporting me through this journey to become a Chartered Surveyor but there is still a lot of work to do!
Advice for Future Graduates: If you are considering a career as a graduate surveyor, the most important things would be to get as much work experience as you can, work hard, and build your communication skills.
In conclusion, my journey so far at Newton LDP has been a one of growth and learning. Working with experienced individuals in a tailored, structured training program has been hugely beneficial for me. It is not your typical graduate rotation programme – from day one it was hands-on, I was immediately actively involved in projects and will end up seeing them through their entire lifecycle. I cannot wait to see what the next year holds.