Student Internships 2022

• Urban Planning  – Shaping tomorrow’s cities and communities begins with planning. Our Planning team works on projects of all sizes, with a well-deserved reputation as experts in statutory and strategic planning across cities, communities, business parks, mixed-use developments and activity centres, just to name a few.
• Urban Design & Landscape Architecture – Good design turns spaces into places that live and work, inspire and reward. Work alongside and learn from some of Australia’s finest urban designers and landscape architects. 
• Property Economics & Market Research – Clients turn to Urbis for robust and insightful economic advice and research which helps inform solutions to complex policy, property and social challenges. 
• Valuations & Real Estate Advisory – Working with this specialist team you’ll be learning how we help our clients make the right property decisions at the right time.  
• Public Policy & Economic Advisory  – Our team are market leaders in policy advice, evaluation and economic advisory. Working in partnership with our clients, we provide rigorous understanding of social and economic drivers, and associated costs and benefits to inform future decision-making.

How did you start out at Urbis?

I first joined Urbis as a student mid-way through my undergraduate planning degree. As part of the Planning degree we were required to undertake a year of work experience in the industry, but I ended up gaining so much more than just that. I have been at Urbis now for over seven years, and every year I am faced with new challenges, different projects, and my passion for Planning just grows.

Take us through a typical day for you.

A typical day for me is hard to describe, as each day can change a lot. Currently I would spend about half my day in meetings or working together with clients and our team on projects, a few hours responding to emails, and a few hours preparing planning advice and reports that inform a planning pathway or seek planning approval for a new development.

I also contribute to the initiatives of the Property Council of Australia (PCA), through my role as Chair of the Future Directions Committee in NSW, and position on the NSW Division Council of the PCA.

How would you describe working in your team? What is the culture like?

Our team supports each other. We have more than 60 planners in our office, but we still work as if we are one large team, constantly sharing information about how to do things better and how to achieve the best. Everyone in our team will bring a different experience and important knowledge to the table that will challenge our collective thinking and push us forward. Our Assistant Planners are no different as we encourage everyone in our team to contribute to building our team’s success.

What has been your biggest achievement so far in your time at Urbis?

If I had to nominate just one, my biggest achievement at Urbis (so far) was working on the One Sydney development at 1 Alfred Street, Sydney. I started off on the project assisting others in the team, and quickly became a key contact for the client in preparing and securing development approval for a high rise residential development and a world class hotel at Circular Quay. The project was highly rewarding as it will deliver key public benefits and new laneways within the CBD, and will be a part of the changing face of Circular Quay for a whole generation.I am proud of being a part of this development not just because of its prestigious location, but for the success we had navigating a highly complex planning approval pathway. This experience is further enhanced by my role as the planner for a nearby new commercial building at 210-220 George Street, and being able to contribute to the renewal of a precinct in the Sydney CBD that is undergoing significant change.

Observing this change is somewhat comparable to the work I have undertaken in Green Square, where the coordination of multiple developments in this significant renewal area is creating a new precinct characterised by design excellence. OK – maybe I’ve squeezed three or four achievements in one!

A little bit about you..

Outside of work I’m busy living my best life exploring and eating. I also have a passion for fashion and I’m an avid op-shopper. There’s a lot of good things about op-shopping. Apart from helping the environment, supporting charities and local businesses; there’s an amazing feeling of accomplishment digging through the racks and finding a designer gem. The economist in me also loves finding things that are undervalued.

How did you start out at Urbis?

I joined Urbis as a student in Property Economics & Market Research in the Brisbane office. I did a 6-month placement in my final semester of uni. After graduation, I transferred to the Urbis Melbourne office as a Research Analyst and have since been promoted to Consultant.

Take us through a typical day for you.

There is no typical day at Urbis. That’s why I like it so much. A lot of what we do is project based and changes all the time. But it generally involves jumping between modelling in Excel, report writing, creating funky infographics, collating data, liaising with clients, and tapping into all the expertise around me.

What’s your favourite part of your role?

The highlight of my role is the mix of clients and work. I’m continually exposed to many aspects of property economics. I get to deal with a range of clients – private developers, industry bodies, state government. With the huge variety of work, I have been able to develop a core set of skills, which can be applied to a wide range of different jobs.

What has been your biggest achievement so far in your time at Urbis?

My biggest achievement has been being promoted from the student program, to Research Analyst and now Consultant in just 12 months. Urbis recognises hard work and provides great career progression opportunities.

A little bit about you..

I recently became a very happy and proud dad, which has been an amazing, life-changing experience!  I have also recently embraced my inner coffee snob and purchased an Italian espresso machine, grown a beard and become a rare tattoo-free self-proclaimed barista.  Did I say that I am Melbourne born and bred? 

When this dad thing isn’t so new, I look forward to getting back to F45 classes and more regular longer distance runs, having previously achieved a personal goal of running a marathon. I also enjoy a more adventurous type of travel, having hiked to Mt Everest Base Camp and to Machu Picchu.  Kilimanjaro is next on my list, but relaxed beachside holidays have become the far more desirable option for the time being.

How did you start out at Urbis?

I joined Urbis in 2001 as a Student Valuer, working 3 days a week.  During my first few years I worked with several leaders within Real Estate Advisory, gaining experience across the major asset classes.  I think that this was essential in establishing a strong and broad understanding of the market. 

I started a long time before the current student program was in place, with today’s opportunity enhanced significantly.  In my current role as a leader, it is exciting to be able to offer the next generation of experts the opportunity to work in a diverse and flexible environment.

What has been your biggest achievement so far in your time at Urbis?

Recently I became a Partner of the firm which is a significant milestone and a result of many years of business and leadership development.  At the moment, I am providing expert advice for several significant claims for compensation under the Planning and Environment Act for residential developers affected by the Outer Metropolitan Ring Road.

What advice would you give someone who is looking to start out in your practice area?

Learning the market and how to undertake a valuation is only the first step.  Our business is based on relationships with our clients and ensuring that we grow together.  We can enhance our value proposition to our clients by being thought leaders, through harnessing knowledge across our different business units. 

A little bit about you..

I joined Urbis in 2016 as an Assistant Planner in the Student Internship Program. I have an undergraduate degree in Law and have recently completed a Masters of Planning at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). I am also a casual academic at UNSW, so some of you may have been in one of my classes!

My planning interest area is creating sustainable, safe and equitable cities (my thesis was on crime prevention through urban design), so in my spare time I love to attend industry events on these topics.

What are the few ingredients you need to start your day off?

There’s only one critical ingredient that I need to start my day: a LIST! Before I leave work each evening, I often make a comprehensive list of pending tasks to make sure that the next day runs smoothly. In Planning this isn’t always guaranteed, but it ensures that my major tasks are prioritised and that I can start my day in a semi-organised fashion.

What do you do in your free time?

In my free time I try to stay active, do a bit of craft and watch ALOT of live comedy. I haven’t found a way to combine the three yet, but I’m actively trying to achieve this!

How would you describe working in your team?

The culture at Urbis is second-to-none. There’s a strong emphasis on training, mentoring and team-building which continues through the Student, Consultant, Senior and even Associate Director levels. Coming from a legal background, this was originally a complete shock but it’s all part and parcel of the Urbis workplace culture.