I Got Hired: Daisy

Posted on: 9 September 2025 by Richard Finch in Class of 2024

Daisy O'Reilly is a Class of 2024 Town and Regional Planning MPlan graduate, now working at Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) as an Assistant Planner.

How did you hear about your role?

At the beginning of 2025, I began searching for my first planning role. I connected with a fantastic recruiter, Josh, and shared my vision of what my “dream” graduate job would look like.

After going through interviews with several respected planning and property firms, I met my now team at LSH. The role aligned perfectly with what I had been looking for: it offered strong training programs with a hands-on, “get stuck in” approach. The projects excited me, and I liked the size of the company as well as the diverse aspects of property that LSH works on. Most importantly, the staff I met on the day were warm and welcoming, and I instantly knew this was a great place for me to grow as a young planner.

How did you get to where you are now?

I first became interested in urban planning around the age of 15 when I was working at a restaurant in my hometown that was struggling to obtain the necessary permissions. This experience sparked my interest in the planning process, and I was fascinated by how much time and effort goes into what seems like the simplest of applications. Moving forward, I chose Geography, Business, and Economics for my A-levels. I loved all three subjects but wasn’t initially sure how they would guide my future career.

At 17, I knew I wanted to attend university but was still exploring the right course for me. When speaking with a family friend, she asked about my A-level subjects and what I enjoyed about them and then suggested planning as a potential career path. It seemed like the perfect fit. When I discovered the Urban Planning course at the University of Liverpool, I saw how my A-levels would support my studies and was excited by the opportunity to learn more about the built environment and the complex processes behind the towns and cities we live in today.

The course at university was incredibly interesting, though at times challenging. I’m very grateful for the friends I made throughout my studies, both on and off the course — being part of such a supportive and kind cohort made a big difference. Similarly, the lectures were fantastic; the lecturers came from diverse planning backgrounds, which meant I learned so much from a wide range of perspectives on the built environment. I’m thankful for all the knowledge they shared.

A major turning point in my journey was my internship at Turley in London in 2023. This was my first proper insight into planning “in the real world,” and I absolutely loved it. While university had equipped me with fantastic theoretical knowledge, seeing how it applied in practice was an incredible experience. I was guided through the internship by Alice, a Senior Planner at the time, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to learn from her and the rest of the team.

Your favourite experience as part of your current role?

I really love learning from my team on a daily basis. Everyone brings their own unique approach to planning, and I find it so interesting to see how their different perspectives come together to create excellent solutions. I really enjoy seeing how each person’s way of problem-solving adds value to projects.

In addition to this, I really enjoy site visits! Being able to learn more about the city I am living in first hand gives me a much deeper understanding of the places I’m working on, and it makes the work feel much more real and meaningful.

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

The most challenging part of my graduate journey so far has been learning patience. When I first started, I felt like I should already know everything and be able to do everything right away. But I’m gradually understanding that it’s a process, and with time and hard work, the knowledge and skills will come. It’s a lesson I’m still working on, but I think it’s an important part of professional growth.

What's your #1 piece of advice for future grads?

My number one golden nugget of advice for future grads is: don’t give up! If you work hard and stay persistent, things will eventually fall into place. It’s important to be kind to yourself when things get tough — everyone faces challenges, it’s okay to take a breath and regroup when you need to.

Finally, get as much experience as you can. Your degree is an amazing foundation, but real-world experience will really help you stand out from other candidates and build confidence.

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