On 31st October 2024, Dolphin Square in Pimlico hosted 43 students for a Careers Insight Day, offering a closer look into the world of property development and regeneration. The day was packed with activities that gave the students an inside view of Dolphin Square’s restoration project and the changes reshaping this historic estate.
The day began with a tour of the estate, where students could explore “before and after” apartments and see how spaces are being transformed. They learned about Dolphin Square’s long-term sustainability plans, including a big decarbonisation effort to cut out gas, use renewable energy, replace over 6,000 windows and create new, high-quality flats designed with sustainability in mind.
Meeting Industry Experts
Students had the chance to speak with senior members of the project team. They met leaders from Dolphin Square’s management, as well as specialists from Galliford Try PLC (main contractor), Radcliffes Construction Consultants (project managers), Abakus Consulting (quantity surveyors), and Mailen Design (architects). The conversations gave students insights into the different roles and challenges involved in a large development project and offered a rare opportunity to learn directly from people in the field.
The students were encouraged to ask questions and explore career paths in real estate, construction, and design.
"It was interesting to hear about the varied backgrounds of the project team and how different each role is” - Student
A Hands-On Design Challenge
A highlight of the day was a design competition where students got to plan their own apartments. They worked in teams to consider everything from layout to design, thinking carefully about how to balance function and style. Industry professionals offered feedback throughout, helping students refine their ideas before presenting them to the group. This practical experience gave everyone a taste of what it’s like to tackle a real design challenge.
Learning from Guest Speakers
The students also heard from guest speakers who shared their own career journeys, discussing the range of opportunities in the industry and how they’d developed their skills over time.
“I didn’t realise how closely everyone works together in real estate; it’s all about teamwork. The day really inspired me to think about learning more about the types of roles in the industry.”
Positive Reflections and Future Opportunities
At the end of the day, students shared their reflections. Many expressed how the experience had boosted their confidence and helped them think about future careers. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with students saying they felt motivated to pursue work experience opportunities in the real estate sector to learn more.
We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this event a success, especially the Dolphin Square management and project team for their time and support.
What’s Next?
As a youth charity, we’re committed to making these kinds of opportunities accessible to all students, regardless of background.
If you’re a student looking for work experience, join WYZ For Work for free today. If you’re an organisation interested in collaborating on future events, please get in touch at info@openpalm.org.uk.