Introduction
I joined the Exeter office of Vickery Holman in August 2024, working in the commercial agency team. I formally started my Degree Apprenticeship via the University of the Built Environment in March 2025. This will see me complete the MSc in Real Estate and work towards my Assessment of Competence (APC) to become a Chartered Surveyor, whilst working.
Variety of agency work and property types
Over my first year in the role, I’ve had the opportunity to work across a broad range of commercial property types, including offices, industrial, retail and hospitality & leisure. That variety is one of the key reasons I enjoy agency. No two instructions are the same, and each one comes with different client priorities, timeframes and challenges. It’s a fast-moving area of the profession, and I’ve found the learning curve both steep and rewarding.
A typical week: office work and site time
No two days are the same. Some days are desk-based and require focus on the detail; others are spent out on site, which is often where you pick up the practical understanding.
Building independence: inspections and responsibility
One of the biggest changes for me has been the level of independence I’ve started to develop. I’m now beginning to take on more of my own workload, and I’ve also started going out on inspections alone. Carrying out inspections independently whether for office, industrial or retail property has been an important milestone. It has helped me build confidence in my own judgement, improve my attention to detail, and become more comfortable gathering and presenting information clearly and professionally.
Professional development: recording experience and competencies
Starting the apprenticeship in March 2025 has also helped me take a more structured approach to my professional development. With the APC running alongside the MSc, I’m learning to be more intentional about reflecting on experience, keeping organised records, and understanding how everyday agency work contributes to the broader competencies needed for qualification.
Looking ahead
Looking ahead, I’m focused on continuing to build my agency skillset and confidence, taking greater responsibility on instructions, improving my understanding of local market conditions, and staying consistent with my APC evidence as I work toward chartership. I’m excited to keep learning and to continue developing within the Exeter team as my apprenticeship progresses.
