Royal Town Planning Institute speed networking event links students and industry

As part of an ongoing programme of activity by the department of Property, Planning and Environmental Management (PPEM) to increase student exposure to industry voices and employment prospects, the department hosted members of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for an afternoon of speed networking. 

The popular event, on the 5 June, co-designed by RTPI and PPEM welcomed national and local employers across real estate, planning, and environmental management sectors to The University of Manchester to talk with students on a one-to-one level. 

In contrast to more traditional career fair events, the afternoon took a more innovative and interactive approach to recruitment, with the speed networking format facilitating interaction between all attendees, on a ten minute rotation between tables. This encouraged students to consider additional career opportunities and employers to those that they might have expected. 

The approach was welcomed by students, with feedback on the day that the event was ‘a fresh approach to targeting students’, allowed ‘real engagement and interaction’, and ‘was fun’. Industry attendees were equally enthused, both by the format and by the calibre of students, with two offers of short-term placements secured immediately after the event, and valuable connections made for others. 

Following the success of this event, the second in a series, it is now hoped that similar events will be held in both the autumn and easter period of the 2024/2025 academic year. 

The department is grateful to Beverley Watson and Ben Teague of the RTPI for co-ordinating this event, alongside University colleagues Ushma Khadir, Bertie Dockerill, and Ian Mell.