Work Experience at 24/Three

Over the summer, we welcomed two students from Nottingham Trent University to join our team for a few weeks’ work experience. We sat down with Vona and Manjit to hear about their time with us and the experiences they gained. Additionally, Summer joined us for one week, stepping away from her sixth-form studies and diving into the day-to-day life of an architecture practice.

“The experience I received was more than I could have hoped for. I spent my time in the Newark office but the whole team were hands-on and supportive, and I felt comfortable expressing my ideas, no matter how small they seemed. They were always valued and taken on board, which I truly appreciated.

Over the four-weeks, I had the chance to contribute to live projects, attend meetings with subcontractors and expand my software knowledge. But I quickly realised that it’s not just about the software - it’s equally about experiencing the realities of practice. The work environment vastly differs from university, it was eye-opening to see how a meaningful team is built - with people at different levels all playing an important role.

Before this experience, it was difficult to picture what an architect does on a day-to-day basis. I’ve now seen that it goes far beyond drawing - it’s about strong communication with both your team and clients, consistency, time management, and discipline.

Overall, this placement shifted my perspective. I felt genuinely included, respected, and encouraged to be part of a team where people at all levels had something valuable to offer.” - Vona

“During my placement, I developed my computer-based design skills significantly. One of the biggest areas of growth was learning to use AutoCAD, through hands-on experience, trial and error and with support from the 24/Three team whenever I needed help. This experience has given me much more confidence in using digital tools.

What I’ve really taken away is how important it is to keep moving forward, even when new software's are challenging. I learnt that asking for help when you need it makes a big difference and that progress comes from being patient and determined.

My time with the team was very enjoyable - everybody was so welcoming and I hope to be back soon after I perfect my Uno skills! Thank you so much to the 24/Three team for this opportunity in your practice!” - Manjit

Authors: Vona Machmud and Manjit Kleir