Inspire Scholar - William Paul

William Paul

Sponsored by ConstructionSkills and G J Seddon on the Inspire Scholarship.

What degree are you studying?
BSc Hons Quantity Surveying at Staffordshire University.

What attracted you to your course?
Originally I started and completed a year on the Building Surveying course at Salford, my interest started with reading job descriptions when I was researching on the net and watching property development programmes on the TV - I thought that's something I'd like to get involved in. Then after my work placement with Seddon's I switched to Quantity Surveying because I enjoyed that aspect of it whilst I was there.

Why did you apply to be an inspire scholar?
I noticed and advert for the programme on bconstructive and filled in the application form online, hoping to get some financial support whilst I was at University, but also to gain the contacts within the industry as work experience can be very beneficial.

What valuable experiences did you gain from your work placement with your sponsoring company?
I was able to gain a greater understanding of the job roles that are out there, gained real experience of the techniques we use in surveying and was able to gain an appreciation of the communication process with subcontractors.

But mostly I gained a job! After my work placement period G J Seddon's asked me to consider switching from my full time university course to a part-time course. So I am now working full time for them and going to Salford University one day a week to gain my qualifications.