Since about the age of fifteen I thought I would like a career in property. I spent my week’s work experience in Year 11 with Spencer Birch Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors and thought it was something I would enjoy. When it came to choosing my A Levels, I tried to choose subjects that were useful, as well as the ones I enjoyed. I studied Economics, because it was relevant to everyday life; Maths, because it was likely to be useful for a surveying career; History, because I enjoyed it and General Studies as something extra on my CV. When I applied for universities, I looked at the ones that were best for my chosen course, Building Surveying. It was important that my course was accredited by the RICS (The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). I accepted an offer from Nottingham Trent University and began my Building Surveying degree in October 2009.
My course was a four year course with a recommended placement year in the third year. The placement year was important as it gave me first-hand experience of the industry. My placement at Fletchers Chartered Surveyors provided me with valuable knowledge in the surveying environment with a wide range of challenges. My main duties included assisting the Director with pre-acquisition surveys and valuations, easements for utilities, rent reviews and boundary disputes. One interesting project I was involved in was the compulsory purchase of some agricultural land, due to the A46 road duelling scheme. Going back to university after a year out was hard, but it was the ‘final push’ and then I would be a graduate.
After I graduated in July 2013 I found myself wondering what I would actually like to do as a career. I found my Building Surveying degree interesting but I wasn’t sure that I wanted a career in it. By this point I was dating a farmer and I became very interested in rural surveying. As I have always been a ‘country girl’ I enrolled on a postgraduate course at Harper Adams University (a specialist agricultural college in Shropshire). Here I studied Rural Estate and Land Management which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Whilst finishing my Postgraduate Diploma I started working at Bentons in Melton Mowbray who are Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors. My role here is extremely varied with something different every day, giving me experience in a number of different areas. I am undertaking my APC (Assessment of Professional Competence) to gain my Chartered status in Residential Property Practice. Day to day work includes Homebuyer Reports, surveys and valuations. I have arranged sales and leases of farms, land and residential and commercial properties in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire and have successfully obtained planning permission for clients for residential development.
I am enjoying my working life and it allowed me to buy my own house in August 2015. I am due to sit my APC in spring 2017 and then (if I pass!) I will be Chartered Surveyor, something which I will be proud to achieve after many years of hard work.
Jenny Crowther, Assistant Surveyor