As part of my 4-year, Rural Enterprise and Land Management (REALM) course at Harper Adams University, I am required to complete 12 months of work experience in industry. As a result of this, I accepted a placement opportunity with Barbers Rural Consultancy LLP. Barbers Rural are local to both Harper and home and therefore seemed the perfect place to spend my year out, learning ‘how to become a rural chartered surveyor’.
Barbers Rural operate throughout Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire, and parts of Wales, providing professional advice and services tailored to the rural sector. No two days are the same within my diary as I assist with valuations, stewardship funding, compensation claims, planning applications and the sale of rural property.
The role allows me to be away from my desk on farm gaining hands on experience. It is proving invaluable working in an office with colleagues who have masses of experience and knowledge. I am enjoying valuations and dilapidation claims the most so far, as they require a hands-on methodical approach both in and out of the office.
The first three months of my placement have exceeded my expectations already. My knowledge grows on a daily basis and as my placement progresses, I feel more and more like a rural surveyor.
I look forward to the next eight months.