Pros
When I joined the company as a graduate, it was a fantastic environment to begin my career as a surveyor. I was given real responsibilities early on and had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects and with different clients. This exposure helped me develop quickly and gain confidence in my role. The company offers one of the best employee benefits packages I have ever seen, including the option for flexible working hours. Initially, the culture was very supportive, and I felt like a valued member of a strong, close-knit team.
Cons
The merger between the parent companies and their subsidiaries led to rapid and significant structural and cultural changes. There was a gradual shift where colleagues, who had previously been able to offer support to graduate and junior team members, became stretched thin as additional layers of management created a more bureaucratic environment. Administrative tasks, such as timesheet reporting, became a source of stress, especially as fee overruns, were treated as individual shortcomings. Additionally, there was increasing pressure to meet high utilisation targets, which, combined with what felt like underpriced jobs, created unrealistic delivery expectations. This shift to prioritising commercial metrics made it more challenging to maintain my position, and the company no longer aligned with my values. If you're Someone who thrives in a fast-paced corporate environment and is comfortable prioritising targets, commercial performance, and efficiency above all else, you may find real success here. However, for those seeking a collaborative, development-focused culture that values a work-life balance, the post-merger environment culture might not be the best suited for you.