In 2019, EG brought together a group of aspiring property professionals undertaking undergraduate degrees and, ever since, we have caught up with them annually to follow their experiences through university and out into the world of work. Five years and one pandemic since we first met them, we spoke with two of our cohort for one final look at their developing careers in property.
ELLA MOORE-HEMSLEY
Chartered surveyor, industrial and logistics, Lambert Smith Hampton
Last time we spoke, you had completed your first rotation in lease advisory as a graduate surveyor at Lambert Smith Hampton, and were about to start your next one in industrial – how did that go?
Over the past 12 months, my rotation in industrial has been incredibly rewarding. My previous experience in lease advisory, as expected, was a great foundation for learning the detail of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and helped me transition smoothly into industrial agency.
I have taken on more responsibility this year, working closely with fantastic clients on a wide range of projects, achieving their objectives and gaining strong relationships alongside them.
My responsibilities have included advising on landlord disposals (both freehold and leasehold) within Greater London and tenant acquisitions nationally. The post-Covid spike in demand has presented challenges in the industrial market as demand moves back to pre-pandemic levels, but it has been interesting working together with agents and the clients, creating new opportunities and strategies for enquiries.
You have spent considerable time recently preparing for your APC assessment – how has that process been, and have you learned any useful lessons you can pass on to others about how to approach your APC?
The APC has come around so quickly, but I have been lucky enough to have support from LSH and colleagues throughout this process. Over the last two years, I have had frequent meetings with my counsellor at LSH to make sure I am hitting the competencies correctly in my day-to-day work. I have attended focused lectures on mandatory and technical competencies, had internal and external support reviewing my submission draft, and carried out mocks in the period waiting for my assessment date. Knowing someone is there to answer any questions I may have has been reassuring.
To other graduates looking to sit their APC in the near future, I would recommend you plan ahead, as this helps ensure that the work you are doing aligns with the competencies you will need to reflect in your final submission. While it can seem overwhelming to approach the submission and revision, try your best to stick with the process and utilise the support you have around you – it will all be worth the hard work in the long run.
You sat the assessment on 4 November and got the result on 11 November – how did it go?
I found the assessment structured and intensive, but manageable with the thorough preparation I did beforehand.
To get ready, I focused on practising with colleagues at LSH and professionals from other companies, doing mock assessments that exposed me to a variety of question styles and approaches. This helped me feel prepared to handle a range of personalities and questioning techniques during the assessment.
The hour-long assessment itself was organised into three parts: I presented my case study, which I chose to be a leasehold industrial disposal. After the presentation, there were questions focused on my competencies over the last two years which I submitted in August, followed by a series of questions on professional ethics.
After a week of waiting for my result and all the hard work leading up to it, I’m pleased to share that I passed and am now a chartered surveyor.
Congratulations. With that target achieved, what are your immediate career goals? If you’ll forgive the clichéd interview question, where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
For now, my immediate goal, post-APC, is to focus on my current instructions with clients and bring in some new opportunities working in the industrial agency team.
I’m working on some exciting projects at the moment for new developments in west London and tenant acquisitions nationally, so I’m looking forward to diving into these projects and working together with a range of teams to ensure an outcome that aligns with the clients’ strategy and objectives.
As for five years down the line, what I love about real estate is the different sectors and paths I could go down once qualified. I know I will be happy as long as I’m in a role that continues to have the social element, working alongside a supportive team, and one that keeps me here in London.
As you look back on the five years we have covered in this series, how would you sum up the experience, what you learned and how you have grown as a person in that half a decade?
It’s amazing how quickly the time has flown by. Looking back on these past five years, I have learned so much about independence and the importance of taking initiative.
Covid had a huge influence on this during my university experience, pushing me to rely heavily on self-learning and honing my time management skills without the structure of in-person classes as we all “self-isolated” at home. This experience at university really helped me at work, as I learned to manage my time efficiently and take accountability for the effort that I put into tasks.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned, though, is the value of relationships. Having the support group and relationships around me while I have been working towards my qualifications (both university degree and APC) has been invaluable – sometimes it is just having someone to talk to that really makes a difference.
My experiences over the past five years have not only shaped my professional life but also helped me grow personally. If “me” five years ago saw how my confidence has grown – that I am willing to tackle new opportunities I’m not familiar with and be comfortable meeting new people daily – she would be very proud.
Are you happy that you made the right career decision and that real estate was very much the path for you?
Absolutely – I’m very happy with my decision to pursue a career in real estate. I feel incredibly grateful to have found this opportunity so early in my life when picking my degree at Nottingham Trent University.
As I didn’t take any gap years and Covid heavily influenced my university experience, I am always thankful that I recognised this was my path early on and committed through the difficult periods.
Working in both the lease advisory and industrial agency teams at LSH has been a great learning experience and foundation as I progress and apply my skills to new responsibilities. I am excited about the next steps in my career and will try to document each year’s personal and professional achievements to look back on, as I have done with these articles.
LOUISE LAWRENCE
Development surveyor, Vickery Holman
Last time, you were looking ahead to sitting your APC. The all-important question: how did it go?
I am delighted to say that I successfully passed my APC in the spring, which concluded my five-year apprenticeship. The journey was tough at times – managing the APC, university and my day-to-day work. However, the support I had at [previous employer] Savills was unprecedented, and I am very grateful for everyone who assisted me throughout.
What are the major lessons from your APC experience you would pass on?
If you are about to start or are considering embarking on the APC process, do it. The APC can be overwhelming and a little stressful at times, but it is beyond rewarding once you pass, and it can unlock so many options for your professional career. In terms of advice and lessons learnt over the course of the two years, I would say the key takeaways are:
- Start early Once enrolled onto the APC, start gathering evidence of your competencies as soon as possible. Building a strong portfolio takes time, so it is best to document relevant experiences from day one. This also applies to writing up your competencies prior to submitting. Start out by writing your Level 1 competencies as soon as you have undertaken CPD that is relevant to it. That way, the information is fresh in your mind and puts you ahead of the game when it comes to your submission. You will want as much time as possible to review your submission towards the end.
- Understand the pathway requirements While many of the Level 1 and 2 competencies overlap between pathways, there are some clear differences and requirements that are included within the pathway guides. Familiarise yourself with your chosen pathway’s specific competencies at the start of the process. This way, you can tailor your work experience and professional development to ensure you are covering them comprehensively.
- Do not be afraid to seek guidance The APC can be tricky at times, so it is good practice to regularly meet with your supervisor and/or counsellor and obtain feedback. They can provide valuable insights on your progress, help clarify competencies, and ensure your submission aligns with your pathway and the RICS expectations. Many regions operate APC support groups, whether it be through the RICS or local firms. These are extremely useful as they will contain future APC candidates who might be sitting at the same time as you. It is always nice to have a friend in the same boat.
- Consistent record keeping Ensure you keep detailed and organised records of your work. The RICS provides you with templates to do so. Ensure you log all CPD activities, project experiences and case studies accurately, with enough detail to demonstrate competency. You can streamline these towards the end but it is always good to have options.
- Stay on top of CPD CPD is extremely important and a requirement for your submission. Make sure you are attending relevant seminars, courses and workshops to ensure you meet the RICS requirements and document them on the day to avoid any issues in the future.
Once you are reaching the end of your APC programme, make sure you and your counsellor are happy with your submission. Quality is the priority here, and there is no shame in delaying your submission if you think it would benefit from the extra time. When it comes to the interview itself, make sure you know your ethics and your submission inside out. The more confident you feel with your submission, the more comfortable you will feel on the day.
You have had a recent change in job – congratulations. What can you tell us about your last 12 months of work, what influenced your decision to move, and what work you will be doing in your new role?
Since passing the APC, I have undertaken several valuations for secured and non-secured lending for a range of banks, developers and private individuals. It has been great to immerse myself in the world of development and valuation, and I look forward to continuing to do so.
In September this year, I left Savills after an incredible five years. I have now joined the development team at Vickery Holman and am based in the Exeter office, covering the whole of Devon.
Vickery Holman’s development team provides a comprehensive range of services to help clients at every stage of the development process. This includes Red Book valuations, development appraisals, financial viability assessments, feasibility studies, strategic advice and development land agency. I am excited to grow the development business across Devon and service existing and new clients with their property requirements.
As you look back on the five years we have covered in this series, how would you sum up the experience, what you learned and how you have grown as a person in that half a decade?
I am in disbelief that it has already been five years. The whole experience has been invaluable. When I look back over my property career thus far, it is hard to believe that I started when I was just 18, fresh out of A-Levels. I will always be thankful to the Savills development team in Exeter for taking me on as an apprentice back in 2019, as well as the wider Savills network, as I would not be where I am today without them.
Half a decade provides enough time to recognise that learning doesn’t stop after formal education. Whether it is through work relationships or new experiences, the importance of a growth mindset becomes clearer. Embracing new skills, insights and lessons allows for both personal and professional growth. I am proud of everything I have achieved so far and look forward to taking on new challenges as I embark on this new chapter at Vickery Holman.
Are you happy that you made the right career decision and that real estate was very much the path for you?
Real estate allows you to have a real impact on the spaces where people live and work and that, for me, is extremely rewarding. Even though I did not set out to become a chartered surveyor from the very start, I have always had a strong interest in real estate from a young age.
The prospect of building my own home has always been a dream of mine, which has been reinforced over the years watching countless episodes of Grand Designs or Location, Location, Location with my mum.
I think I was always going to end up with a career in real estate in some capacity, whether it be through development, estate agency or property law. I am beyond happy to have found my place so early in my career, and I truly cannot wait to see what the future holds.
I would like to thank EG for the opportunity to take part in these articles over the past five years, and I hope they have helped anyone who is looking to start their career in property.
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