By Samarth Shah (Project Manager,Turner & Townsend Infrastructure Limited)
When you think about all the skills employers want, one thing ties them all together – communication. It’s key to problem-solving, relationship building, and lots more.
We recently caught up with Samarth Shah, who studied Project Management at Northumbria University before getting a job at Turner and Townsend, the global consultancy firm.
As well as working on major infrastructure projects, some worth more than £50 million, he also runs live industry projects with Northumbria students. So if anyone knows what an employer is looking for, it's him.
Communication is one of the top skills graduate employers are looking for in 2025. Certainly, in Samarth’s work as a project manager, communication is everything. He describes it as ‘the cornerstone of effective project management’.
Why? Because projects are only successful when lots of different people work together and stay on the same page.
First, there’s the project team. Everyone needs to communicate effectively so they know what’s happening, why, when, and who’s responsible.
Then there’s the client. Clear communication keeps clients updated and confident in the team’s progress, as well as making sure the team are on the right track. It’s not always easy, but it’s incredibly important.
Finally, there are the contractors who deliver the project, for example, engineers, surveyors, and tradespeople. They need to know the work schedule and how they fit into the bigger picture.
‘Our main job is always to challenge,’ says Samarth. ‘We challenge the contractors, we challenge the client, to make sure projects run as efficiently as possible. How we communicate those challenges and deal with tough situations is the most important thing.’
So how do live projects with industry help students develop these skills, and what do projects typically involve?
When students join Turner and Townsend for their industrial practice module, they work on live client projects.
A recent real-world project for Northumbria University students saw them creating a stakeholder management plan for a large infrastructure initiative. The challenge was to manage communication between different contractors working on site, to avoid any problems that could delay or damage the project.
‘When we have different contractors working on the same project, there’s a high chance of conflict,’ explains Samarth.
‘One of the student groups produced a report outlining how to minimise conflict and improve interactions between all the groups. This included monthly meetings between the student team and onsite operational managers, discussing upcoming work to identify and avoid conflicts.’
By taking part in this project, students had the opportunity to develop a wide range of invaluable communication skills including: active listening, effective teamwork, writing formal reports, and leading meetings.
‘Students who complete a project like this definitely have an advantage. It’s like a mini internship. They learn how to work in a corporate structure, communicate across teams, problem-solve, and present their ideas professionally.’
For Samarth, industrial projects are a chance to see students’ communication skills in action and teach them what it means to be part of a professional team. Here are some of his top tips for students on placement and entering professional life.
‘Professionalism is key,’ says Samarth. When you take part in any professional experience, whether it’s a project or a longer placement, treat it like a job. Dress appropriately, turn up on time, and communicate professionally. It is a good opportunity to practise professionalism, so that it comes more naturally when you’re ready to start applying for jobs after university.
‘When employers are hiring, they want someone who can represent the company well – in meetings, company presentations, with clients, etc. Real-world professional experience helps students develop these skills, and they shine through at interview.’
Even if you’re working exclusively with fellow students, treat meetings as a professional environment. Be formal, set an agenda, take notes, and follow up.
‘Students need to communicate clearly with their team – assigning roles, tracking progress, and holding regular meetings,’ says Samarth. ‘I recommend formalising these meetings with minutes and structured updates rather than informal chats.’
Skip long paragraphs and stick to bullet points in client presentations, advises Samarth. ‘When communicating with clients, especially in mid-point and final presentations, students should be concise, using bullet points and avoiding dense paragraphs.’
It’s also important to present clear and practical advice to clients. ‘The focus should be on solutions, not just background research,’ advises Samarth. ‘Present confidently and stick to the facts — don’t overpromise, and make sure any proposed solutions are realistic and feasible.’
Communication skills aren’t just important when you’re on placement. They also help you communicate what you learned on placement. When you apply for jobs or future study, you’ll need to explain what you did, how you worked with others, and the impact you had.
Strong communication skills help you share your story clearly and confidently. Graduate Futures, the Northumbria University Careers Service can help you with this. For their top tips, read our article on how to talk about your university experience to employers.
However, it isn’t just communication skills you’ll gain from a project with industry. As well as developing a more professional ‘attitude and aptitude’, says Samarth, they have a stronger knowledge of the sector they’ve worked in.
‘Students who have completed a project have experienced how business really works. They have up-to-date knowledge of the industry. That’s something you can research online but it’s not the same as experiencing it first-hand. This gives them a headstart in future interviews.’
Learning by doing – known as experiential learning – is at the heart of the Northumbria University experience.
Depending on your chosen course, you’ll find lots of opportunities to get hands-on experience that prepares you for life after graduation.
Find out more on our Experiential Learning Hub
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