First-class Salford Graduate first to gain from Peel Jobs Partnership

A NEW partnership between The University of Salford and Peel Holdings is resulting in a range of paid career opportunities for graduates.

Peel is the driving force behind some of the North’s key growth projects– The Trafford Centre, Media City UK and Liverpool John Lennon Airport – and offers huge opportunities to Geography, sustainability and urban planning graduates

Geography graduate Laura Atkinson is the first to benefit from the partnership.After graduating with first-class honours in July, she has now landed a full-time role as a Sustainability Assistant for Peel Land and Property.

The 21 year-old impressed the firm’s sustainability team with her work ethic and knowledge and has since been taking on a range of tasks to match the skills she developed at university.

'First of many'

Laura is hopefully the first of many with the firm’s sustainability team working with the School of Environment & Life Sciences (ELS) to match undergraduates to jobs and to paid placements.

Professor Sheila Pankhurst, Dean of ELS said: “It is the excellent news that, after a successful internship, the first Salford graduate has been offered a full-time position with Peel Land and Property.  We now look forward to developing this partnership over the coming years.”

Academic Lead for Geography and Environmental Management, Dr Richard Armitage said: “Laura was an exceptionally good student who won the Kerry Worthington prize for best Geography student for 2018, so it’s no surprise that she’s the first to land a job through this link up.

“She’s a great advert our Geography and Environmental Management programmes here at Salford.”

Exciting places

The 21 year-old said: “Every day is different and I’m constantly learning. I’m involved with energy management, data analysis, reporting and supporting projects in exciting places like Event City.

“I would highly recommend doing an internship as it’s a great way of making contacts with people who share your career interests.”

“I’d definitely recommend Salford if you want somewhere different, (the course gives you the) chance to get out and see the real-world application of what is learnt in the classroom.”

For more information about Peel Holdings, you can visit their website here: https://www.peel.co.uk/what-we-do/.