Pathways to Property

The future is BRIGHT🔥 During a jam-packed work experience week with British Land, a smashing group of Pathways to Property students visited Finastra in #PaddingtonCentral. The students shared their career aspirations with Finastra colleagues, and asked questions to learn about the colleagues’ careers, Finastra and fintech. It quickly became a great discussion around AI and its implications: known and unknown… Before leaving Finastra, the students learnt about the Disabilities @ Finastra ERG. Elsa Gavriil-McMahon shared how the ERG raises awareness of disabilities and fosters inclusion across the business. Thoughtful questions from the students broadened the discussion, to include: 💡 The importance of ERGs. 💡 How ERGs can make a difference through introducing programmes and resources. 💡 Ways to access support and build a sense of community whilst in employment. Massive thanks to the wonderful team at Finastra for giving the students a lot to consider, as they embark on their next steps and continue to think about the world of work. Elsa Gavriil-McMahon Benjamin Davis Mahisha Hussain Robert Stickland Emma Edwards British Land Workspace

It was a pleasure to host Jessica Goodrich last week for work experience as part of Pathways to Property which raises awareness of and aspirations about careers in property. Jessica certainly has a bright future ahead in the built environment sector!   During her week with us Jessica spent time with the team getting an insight into Development Management, exploring the essential role of design, community engagement, placemaking and town planning to bring forward successful new communities. She attended design team meetings, learnt about the RIBA Design Stages and met the team bringing forward Tendring and Colchester Borders Garden Community (TCBGC) in her home county of Essex, also finding time to get out and about in London for site visits to see the theory put into practice.   Jessica also met plenty of Latimer and Clarion colleagues and learnt about the varying career paths different people have taken from apprenticeship and graduate programmes to making a switch to their current position later on after specialising in another area first.   We wish Jessica all the best with her AIB and hope to see you again soon – stay in touch!

Hi Network! This week, I completed a week of work experience at Watkin Jones! The team were absolutely amazing and very welcoming, always willing to help me and answer any questions I had. Throughout the week, I gained insights into various aspects of property development and honed practical skills that I can apply to my career aspirations. I attended meetings with external companies, such as Savills, which helped me see how these companies relate to each other within the real estate industry. Members of the investment team, such as Francisca Hamilton , were also very supportive of my aspirations of becoming a real estate solicitor, facilitating conversations with various real estate solicitors from Mishcon de Reya LLP , Addleshaw Goddard. I was able to read contracts between external lawyers and Watkin Jones, gaining an understanding of the complex legal process behind acquisitions. I also had a session with the internal legal team, where Heather Parsons explained to me how their team works within planning and development, and different legal processes needed for construction. Through conversations with members of the company, I was able to gain an insight into the various roles within the industry, such as project services, investment analysis and planning. I was particularly interested in the role of an investment analyst through conversations with Oliver Broadhurst and Anabelle Miailhe who provided me with an understanding of development appraisals and the financial side of development. I was also able to visit Pavilion Court in Wembley, where I worked alongside This is Fresh , seeing how the sales and reception team work. It was very insightful to see how Fresh effectively manages the student accommodation and how Watkin Jones’ work comes to life. Thank you to the team at Watkin Jones Group for making this experience both welcoming and educational. This experience has enriched my knowledge in the development side of real estate, and also further fuelled my desire to become a real estate solicitor through an apprenticeship. I would also like to thank the team for helping me with my apprenticeship applications as their expertise was very useful! Thank you to Pathways to Property for providing me with this wonderful opportunity. I am looking forward to applying these insights to my future studies and career! #WorkExperience #RealEstate #Development #LearningJourney #WatkinJones #PropertyDevelopment #realestatelaw #solicitorapprenticeship