Neha: my life on the edge!
During my first year as a Graduate Urban Designer at edge, I’ve learned that I enjoy urban design much more than I realised at university! I’ve gained real first-hand experience of creating places – from the early call for sites stage through to outline planning submission, and working on vision documents, task briefs, and addendums has really helped me understand how real urbanism works in practice.
My confidence and professionalism have grown immensely. I’m now more confident in taking a stand on how design responds to its surroundings, and I find myself observing spaces differently when I’m outside, noticing design and placemaking instinctively! This year has also helped me understand professional teamwork, responsibility, and how roles are shared and managed within real projects.
I chose to apply to the edge Grad Scheme because it talked a lot about growing ‘in your own way’, and that really connected with me. It wasn’t about fitting into one fixed path, and was instead about developing as an individual while also contributing to the company’s growth. Things like CPDs, continuous learning, social study trips, flexible working, and enjoying life at work makes it feel different. With other graduate schemes, I mostly saw what companies expected from candidates. edge stood out because it was clear about what they would also give us back in return. That balance made it feel less like joining a business and more like joining an environment built on growth, involvement, and professionalism.
edge’s graduate open day was about individual experience, not just interviews. It wasn’t the usual formal setup of sitting in a room answering questions; it was about understanding people. The activities, such as a photo sharing exercise, a spaghetti challenge, and a speed design task, showcased our individual skills, creativity, and personalities – much better than a CV could! What I took away from it was how real and human the whole experience felt. It helped me see what I could bring to edge, and what edge could bring out in me. I had done many interviews before, but this one felt different and more meaningful. I still remember it clearly, I even have my name tag as souvenir, and I made friends there who I’m still in touch with!
The best way to describe life at edge? REAL. I always imagined corporate life as going to work Monday to Friday, sitting at a desk, doing the work, and going home. But at edge, it’s different. I get real experience meeting people, being part of growing the company, and representing edge as part of the team at meetups and events.
Day to day life at edge also includes learning beyond our screens. Through our Make-Space sessions, we bring out not just technical skills but our creativity, looking for different ways to approach placemaking and design. Our monthly meetings make everything feel open and transparent, and you don’t feel separate from the company’s growth; you feel part of it. It genuinely feels like belonging to something, not just working for something, and I’m grateful for that.
To anyone thinking of applying this year – my advice is: be clear about what you want from your career and what you can bring to a role. Don’t just apply randomly; focus on opportunities that truly align with your values, skills, and professional goals. When I read about edge’s graduate scheme, I felt like it was made for me, and joining it confirmed that feeling. Choosing a place that fits you will give you the chance to grow, contribute, and really enjoy the experience. Quality and focus matter more than quantity, so apply where it feels right and invest in your growth.
Also, remember to sell yourself – not just your portfolio. Your portfolio shows your skills, but you can bring so much more than that!
