For students at Robert Gordon's University (RGU), a placement at Nicol of Skene isn't just a requirement—it's a chance to build a career. Calum Nealon, a Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management student, recently undertook a placement with us, gaining hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the industry. We sat down with Calum to discuss his time here, the lessons he's learned, and what the future holds.
Why Nicol of Skene?
Calum was drawn to Nicol of Skene because of the variety of services we offer. "It struck me as a huge opportunity to develop my skills and abilities as a developing Quantity Surveyor and gain a diverse placement experience," he explained.
During his time here, Calum was able to take the theoretical knowledge he learned at university and apply it to real-world situations. He was able to adapt his skills to handle a range of scenarios he encountered on a day-to-day basis.
The most valuable lessons
Calum shared that he learned and developed many skills during his placement. "From my very first day, I've been learning new things, ranging from the measurement of civil items which I hadn't encountered before, to being able to keep control of the costs of multiple projects going on at the same time," he said.
One of the most memorable moments for Calum was participating in the Aberdeen Kiltwalk. "Seeing how my co-workers took time out of their personal lives to help raise money and awareness for the chosen charities was unbelievable," he shared.
When asked about the biggest surprise of working in the industry, Calum pointed to the organisation and order present on site. "Every person has work to carry out each day, and especially on bigger sites, there's always a job needing to be done," he noted.
Team & company culture
Calum praised the support he received from the Nicol of Skene team. "Everyone who I’ve met throughout the course of my placement have all been very willing to offer explanations and guidance whenever I needed some help and always made sure I understood what was going on," he said. He specifically highlighted the mentorship he received from his line manager, Clark, and also from Kris.
When asked to describe the company culture, Calum chose three words: welcoming, supportive, and efficient.
Looking to the future
This placement has significantly shaped Calum's career goals. The diverse experience he gained has guided him toward continuing his career as a Quantity Surveyor in the civil construction sector. We were pleased to offer him summer employment after his placement, as well as flexible part-time work during his fourth year of studies, with the goal of full-time employment after graduation.
For other students considering a placement, Calum's advice is clear: "The opportunity to go out on placement and experience real-world scenarios, fast-paced work environments, and learn from colleagues is priceless. It's such an important learning experience, and if you're given the opportunity to take it, you won't regret it."
Our commitment to future talent
Calum's success story highlights Nicol of Skene's continued commitment to developing future talent. For years, we’ve supported RGU Quantity Surveying students, giving them hands-on exposure to live projects and a chance to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting.
This model has proven successful. Our 2019 placement student, who has now progressed to become a Managing Quantity Surveyor, is now mentoring Calum. This showcases the long-term benefits of this pathway. It's a mutually beneficial relationship: students gain structured career development while Nicol of Skene benefits from fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and the development of future leaders within the business.
Are you a student looking for valuable industry experience? Explore how a placement with Nicol of Skene can help you build your future.