As part of Hartnell Taylor Cook’s commitment to fostering the next generation of property professionals, we are excited to be running a collection of interviews with our cohort of graduates – exploring their unique routes into the industry and experience so far.
For our first interview, we sat down with Sophie Allen, a Graduate Property Management Surveyor in our Bristol office, to hear more about her first few months at Hartnell Taylor Cook.
Why property?
Growing up with a quantity surveyor father and watching him forge lasting connections with clients and colleagues alike ultimately led Sophie down the property path – seeing her read Geography and Planning at the University of Birmingham.
“The relationship-building aspect of the work is something I’ve always looked forward to, and I’m glad to be able to experience it firsthand. From site visits to unique buildings, to handling negotiations between landlords and tenants, the work always looked interesting and I wanted a job that could take me out of the typical office environment.”
The best parts of the job
There’s also lots to love about the work as a whole, says Sophie.
“Working in property is very sociable, so you get to interact with others across different workstreams a lot. There’s such a tight-knit community of people in the sector, and it really makes a difference – especially in a city like Bristol, where there are often familiar faces at networking events.”
“With one of my clients I’m able to go all around the country, visiting a variety of different sites. Recently, I even visited a commercial bakery where we got loads of tasters!”
The green space offered by the Clifton Downs right outside the office also appeals, with Sophie often enjoying a run post-work.
Life at Hartnell Taylor Cook
Growing up in Chepstow, Sophie had often thought about moving to Bristol – and she quickly realised that Hartnell Taylor Cook was the place she wanted to kickstart her career.
“The people and the culture really stood out to me,” Sophie shares. “When I was looking for jobs, I looked up its website and social profiles and a strong sense of community came across. Now that I’m here, there are always friendly faces in the office and I’m glad to see that my hunch was right!”
Sophie is currently undertaking a Masters in Real Estate, which will see her eventually qualified with an RICS accreditation. Wishing you the best of luck, Sophie – you’ll do brilliantly!
