Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

Managing rural estates on behalf of owners - every aspect of the use of the land incl issues such as property leases with particular emphasis on agricultural land use, utility infrastructure issues, sporting, forestry, development sites, renewable energy, sales/purchases.

There is no typical day! That is why I like it. Extremely varied to take account of issues mentioned above and a plethora of other issues that arise, from the mundane instructing fencing contractors, through to negotiating leases for large scale photovoltaic farms. Recent issues I have been dealing with this week are protecting a landowner when land is taken by compulsory purchase for a road scheme, farm valuations to allow a farmer to obtain a bank loan, employing gardeners and cafe operators for a garden open to the public, running Owner/Trustees meetings, drawing up a planning application for an 11 house development on the edge of a town, managing a refurbishment of a property, renegotiating a sporting lease which was politically sensitive, plus all internal admin to allow the business to operate and grow.

Interested in the properties/environment that I work in and manage. Being outside. Being able to live in 'nice' parts of the UK - cities are not where I like to live. Meeting people and learning about the area within which I work.

Negotiations can often be confrontational, especially over issues such as rent, enforcing lease obligations or terminating leases. This is especially so when tenants livelihoods are linked to the properties, e.g. farms, commercial businesses.

Variety. Decisions have immediate impact and you can see outcome (not always good!). Not tied to desk, outside about 30-50% of time.

Require an RICS accredited degree, obtained after Sheffield Geography degree. My Geography degree allowed me to enter the course. Qualified as chartered surveyor after several years working and passing exams. Taken further specialist professional exams. It is a career where you need to study and work for several years to obtain the basic knowledge required.

We have to take part in 20 hours of training per year to maintain our RICS qualification. However, in general I usually receive nearer 4-5 times that, booking myself onto courses of relevance or those that I need. Courses are usually paid for by the company.

Graduated from Shefield Summer 2001.
Joined Army Jan 2002.
Commissioned into Royal Engineers Dec 2002.
Numerous jobs, roles, etc. during time in Army.
Left Army Sept 2007.
Commenced Masters of Land Economy degrees at University of Aberdeen Sept 2007
Graduated MLE Sept 2008
Started work for Smiths Gore Sept 2008
Qualified as Chartered Surveyor Sept 2010
Qualified at Fellow of Central Association of Agricultural Surveyors Jan 2013.

Progressing through my career as a Chartered Surveyor. Potentially in time I may specialise in one area of interest and could work on a consultancy basis.

The jobs climate has changed a little since I left Uni, but seeing those starting within the company from Uni recently:
1. Make concerted efforts to take part in relevant work experience, which may involved traveling around the country - employees like to see get up and go.
2. Take part in activities whilst at University or outside work, it immediately makes you look interesting, a rounded person and more than just a standard employee. It will make your CV stand out.
3. Have a good CV - a poor one gets put straight in the bin. Try it out on people who you respect to critically analyse it. There is no standard CV, tailor it to suit/reflect you. Make is easy to read and not too long.
4. Make personal contact (if you can, it depends on the company) when applying for job, it will make you stand out from the crowd who just send off a CV on line and wait for an answer.
5. If you haven't heard after about a week, give them a ring to politely find out what stage they are at (again depends on company).
6. Approach companies that you like or would like to work for - don't wait for them to advertise. Try and meet someone of influence in the company, through work experience, professional gatherings, any friend/relation link. Don't be put off by rude/no reply to any enquiry - a good indication that they probably wouldn't have been good to work for anyway in my opinion!