A Graduate’s Perspective: Life at Arrow Planning

What’s it really like to start your career in planning consultancy?

Seven months ago, Tom joined Arrow Planning as a Graduate Planner for a one year internship as part of his degree at The University of York, stepping into a fast-paced environment with plenty to learn. Since then, he’s been out on site, involved in projects and building real experience from day one. In this blog, he shares what those first few months have looked like and what he’s learned along the way.

“Seven months ago, I joined Arrow Planning with plenty of curiosity and a fair amount of nerves. Coming from a different academic background, I knew I wanted to dive into the consultancy world, but I wasn’t quite sure how quickly I’d go from being ‘the student’ to a contributing team member.

Now, over half a year in, I’ve realised that the best way to understand the planning industry is to be right in the middle of it. Some of my favourite moments so far haven’t actually happened at a desk.

Highlighting memorable moments

• Site Visits: Visiting sites in Cambridge completely changed my perspective. It’s one thing to see a site on a map; it’s another to stand on the ground and visualise the potential (and the challenges) of a project in real life.
• Public Consultations: I’ve had the chance to step onto the “front line” by helping with public surveys. Listening to local views was a real eye-opener; it taught me that planning isn’t just about policy—it’s about people and how they interact with their environment.

Lessons learnt

The transition has been rewarding. I’ve moved from observing how a Planning Statement is structured to actually drafting them myself, alongside Site Appraisals and other key technical documents.

However, the biggest lesson hasn’t been about policy, but the reality of project management. In consultancy, you aren’t just focusing on one task; you’re navigating multiple projects at different stages. I’ve learned how to coordinate with various clients and specialists, ensuring every moving part stays on track. It’s a fast-paced environment – varied, unpredictable and requiring a level of organisation you just can’t simulate in a classroom.

What has made these seven months so impactful is the trust the team has placed in me from day one. At Arrow, there’s a genuine ‘open door’ culture. Whether I’m asking a quick question about a specific regulation or sitting in on strategy meetings, I’ve always felt like a core part of the team rather than just an observer.”

By Tom Cumberland, Graduate Planner.

About Tom

Tom joined Arrow in summer 2025 as part of a placement year with the University of York where he is two years into his degree in Environment, Economics, and Ecology. With a strong passion for sustainable development and environmental conservation, Tom is excited to bring his academic learning into real-world planning practice. Analytical and solutions-focused, Tom has a natural ability to get to the heart of complex planning and land use challenges. His drive to contribute to sustainable, well-designed places makes him a great fit for the Arrow team