Graduate profiles

Parvinder Lota, 27

We're encouraged to move around internally, both across departments and within Europe. I think with some other firms, you think you'll be able to do that, but when it comes to it you can't. Here, it is a reality.

Current department:

Capital Markets - Public Sector Team

Joined C&W:

May 2007

Degree:

Property with Business degree at Westminster University. Then an MA in European Real Estate at Kingston University.

Hi Pavindar, it looks like you started at C&W at an unusual time of year?

Yes, I joined a bit earlier than all the other graduates. After my degree I worked at a local authority for a year to get some experience. Then I did my masters, then I took six months off, did the graduate round, and was able to join Cushmans early.

Was that weird starting on your own?

Well, it was a bit scary for me coming in, but my first day was really good, everything was set up for me, and there were no issues. I did make a real effort to be there for the graduate induction week, because at the end of the day the other grads are going to be in the firm with you, and you're going to be going through it together.

What's your first placement been like then?

We do consultancy work for local authorities. For example, for the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham we're working on their behalf on the redevelopment of their civic accommodation. That's going through things like the competitive dialogue process, and we've since found them a suitable development partner. That was a good experience for me - it really gave me an overview of how consultancy works.

So what made you go for Cushmans in the first place?

I did apply to various other companies, like Jones Lang, but one of the things that attracted me to Cushmans was the whole interview process. I quite liked the relaxed atmosphere and it was good fun. For other companies, I found their interviews much more formal, even from the first stage.

And have you seen that more relaxed approach in the firm too?

It's the kind of place where if you have a question about anything, you can just get up and ask anybody. We also hot desk here, which I wasn't really fond of to start with to be honest, but after doing it for over a year now, it's such a good way to get to know people. You get to understand what other people are doing, and how the firm ties-in as a whole.

How is the work-life balance?

Well, I live out near Heathrow, which takes about an hour door to door, so I manage my time really well! Some of the things they do here are really good. We have a pilates class upstairs every week, and it's quite reasonably priced. If I can't make the gym, I can do pilates instead straight after work. People go out of their way to organise those sort of things.

Finally, what's next for you?

I'm moving to the auction team. It was my first choice, and I'm looking forward to getting a general overview of how the market works. Also, one of the things that attracted me to working at Cushmans is that it's a global firm. We're encouraged to move around internally, both across departments and within Europe. I think with some other firms, you think you'll be able to do that, but when it comes to it you can't. Here, it is a reality.