Florence Lucas is currently completing a year in industry which she discovered through GradsKent's predecessor, the GIGS programme. She has agreed to share her experience with us:

I am studying for a degree in Architectural Venue Design at the University of Derby and have completed the first two years. I am a student member of the Chartered Society of Designers and a member of the Kent Association of Young Entrepreneurs.

My third year needed to be a work placement and I was very fortunate to be offered a one year work placement through GIGS. I am working for the Kent Design Initiative (KDI) at Kent County Council.

During the year, I have been very lucky to be able to work alongside Architects, Developers and Planners in Kent and also in Europe. I have learned a great deal from my time with the KDI. This will be of great help to me in my last year at Derby and afterwards. I have been given a great deal of support and personal development opportunities by KCC and in particular by my line manager, Kathy Putnam.

I would highly recommend both Kent County Council as an employer and GIGS as a means of obtaining work experience.