This year, DFC welcomed three exceptional students: Alex, Jack and Sophie, who wanted to deepen their skills and understanding of fire engineering through hands-on experience.

Curious about how their experiences shaped their perspectives? Find out more in our three-part blog, ‘Summer Placement Journey’.

By: Jack Mitchell, 2024 Summer Placement, Manchester 

“My placement this summer was one of the most enjoyable and worthwhile ten weeks I’ve ever spent. The variety of work I had exposure to, in such a short period of time, far exceeded my expectations. I had the opportunity to work on and visit some incredible projects, including drafting fire strategy reports at various RIBA stages, producing site inspection reports, sketching and commenting on designs, calculating fire safety requirements for external fire spread, means of escape, and smoke filling, as well as conducting risk assessments for external walls and live construction sites. I was given a well-explained brief before each task and gained invaluable feedback upon completion. The feedback I received helped me develop my knowledge and the quality of my work throughout the placement.

I cannot speak highly enough of the team at DFC, particularly those who supported me day-to-day in the office. I felt comfortable in the office from the moment I walked in. The relaxed environment made me feel able to approach anyone with ease, regardless of their seniority. My colleagues went out of their way to organise social events to help me feel welcome and gave me excellent local knowledge of the city to help me enjoy my time outside of work.

From day one, I was trusted to manage my own workload, liaise with project clients and design teams, and undertake all my tasks independently. If I ever felt unsure about something or part of a task, no question was too silly to ask, nor was it left unanswered. In addition to having the support of the team around me, the generosity of DFC in providing accommodation in Manchester alleviated the potential stress of a long daily commute from my home in Chesterfield.

From the incredible views over Manchester from the top storey of a high-rise construction site, to assisting in solving challenging evacuation problems within a heritage-constrained market hall, I have enjoyed every minute and cannot recommend the placement programme enough to those who are contemplating it. My placement experience will undoubtedly be invaluable for both the final two years of my MEng degree and my future career endeavours.”

If you are interested in joining DFC for a summer placement, keep an eye on our Careers page in September. Typically, the application window is open until December.