Interview: Westminster student Veer Larh wins Berkley Group internship

1.    You’ve been shortlisted for multiple prestigious competitions and won the Berkeley Group internship. What do these achievements mean to you?

It honestly has meant a lot to me. It feels like a real testament to how far I’ve come. Back in sixth form, I was struggling academically, and, at one point, I didn’t think university was even on the cards for me. Then, during my first year at university, things didn’t go as I’d hoped either—for a mix of personal and academic reasons. But that was really a wake-up call. I knew I had to take things seriously if I wanted to succeed, not just to be eligible for opportunities like these, but also for my own personal growth.

So, I made a conscious decision to commit fully to the course, put in the work and make the most of every opportunity that came my way. Winning the Berkeley internship felt like a reward for that shift in mindset and effort. It’s also a big stepping stone for me - it’s going to give me invaluable experience heading into my final year and will hopefully put me in a strong position when applying for graduate schemes.

2.    You faced some challenges in your first year but have since become one of the top-performing students. How have you tackled these challenges?

In my first year I really struggled to find my footing. I was naturally quite shy - I’d sit at the back of lectures, rarely ask questions and just sort of blend into the background. But over time I realised that without asking questions or putting myself out there, I’d never truly grow or improve my understanding of the course. That realisation was a turning point for me.

I started pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. I began attending extra-curricular events, Real Estate networking sessions and slowly built up my confidence. One of the biggest things that helped was taking part in the Westminster Working Cultures International programme to Mumbai. Travelling to a country I’d never been to, with about 20 people I didn’t know, forced me to adapt quickly. It challenged me socially and personally but it also helped me build real confidence in myself.

Those experiences taught me how important communication and people skills are, especially in Real Estate, which is such a people-driven industry. I knew I couldn’t shy away from those challenges forever if I wanted to make a real impact in the field. So, I made the effort to be more engaged in class, to ask more questions, to speak up, and that shift has made a huge difference. It’s one of the main reasons I’ve gone from struggling to becoming one of the top-performing students, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

3.    What role has the University and your lecturers played in supporting your journey?

The University of Westminster has played a huge role in supporting my journey, especially through the opportunities it offers outside the classroom.

When it comes to my lecturers, Dr Jan Wilcox and Elaine Tooke especially have had a massive impact. They’ve made the course engaging and interactive, and one thing I really appreciate is how they’ve adapted assessments to reflect real-world scenarios - like switching coursework to in-person presentations to help prepare us for professional life. 

On top of that, their support has been constant. Whether it’s answering questions in person or responding quickly over email, they’re always willing to help. And behind the scenes, they work incredibly hard to promote Real Estate job roles and create exclusive opportunities. That kind of effort doesn’t go unnoticed. Honestly, they’ve been a huge part of not only my academic success, but also my personal growth. I’m really grateful for everything they’ve done.

4.    What have you learned from these competitions and how do you think they’ll shape your future career?

One of the biggest things I’ve learned from these competitions is that practice really does make perfect and that rejection is just part of the journey. I was actually unsuccessful in two out of the three internship competitions I entered, and I won’t lie, it was tough. I was gutted, and at one point I genuinely felt like giving up. But I stayed motivated, reflected on where I went wrong, and kept working on those areas.

Each time I learned something new, whether it was how to present myself better, communicate more clearly or structure my answers more effectively, and eventually, that persistence paid off when I won the Berkeley Group internship. These experiences have shaped me massively. They’ve taught me how to bounce back from setbacks, how to take constructive feedback on board and most importantly, how to keep improving. I know in my future career I’ll face challenges and rejections too, but now I feel much more equipped to handle them. I’ve learned how to adapt, improve and keep moving forward, and I think that mindset will take me far.

Veer Larh with Berkeley Group recruiters 

5.    What are you looking forward to the most about the internship?

I’m looking forward to gaining a deeper insight into the residential sector, especially when it comes to the land and planning side of things. That’s an area I’m really keen to understand better, and I think this internship will be the perfect opportunity to explore it in more detail.

I’m also really excited to meet and work alongside industry professionals, to learn from their experience, ask questions, attend site visits with them and even meet clients. Just being in a professional environment and seeing how everything operates day-to-day will be so valuable.

Overall, I see this internship as a big step forward for me, both professionally and personally. It’ll help me go into my third year with more confidence, real-world experience and a clearer idea of where I want to go next. And when it comes to applying for graduate roles, I’ll be able to draw on everything I’ve learned and really leverage the experience to stand out.

6.    Looking ahead, what are your career aspirations?

Looking ahead, my main goal is to secure a place on a graduate scheme and work towards passing my APC to become a Chartered Surveyor. I really want to build a career where I’m seen as a trusted professional in the Real Estate industry - someone who adds real value and makes a positive impact through the work I do.

But beyond that, I also want to use my position in the industry to help raise awareness about the wider opportunities in Real Estate, especially among students from state schools like the one I went to. A lot of people still think Real Estate is just about buying and selling houses through estate agencies, but there’s so much more to it, whether it’s development, planning, investment or sustainability.

I didn’t really know much about the industry myself until I got involved through my family, and I’d love to be in a position one day where I can help open doors for others and show them the full picture. If I can inspire even a few students to explore a career in Real Estate, I’ll feel like I’ve made a difference.

7.    What advice would you give to Westminster students?

I know it’s easy to say but don’t give up. You might feel overwhelmed or like you’re not doing as well as others but that doesn’t mean you won’t get there. You have to believe in your potential, even when things feel tough. Put yourself out there, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. The moment you start achieving small wins, you realise there’s so much more in you and that’s when your mindset shifts. You start setting bigger goals and pushing yourself even further.

Also, stay resilient. Setbacks will happen and it’s okay to feel disappointed but don’t let that discourage you. Trust the process, keep learning from your mistakes and keep moving forward. Make full use of all the opportunities Westminster offers, both inside and outside the classroom, whether it’s networking events, programmes like Westminster Working Cultures or just speaking up in class.

And honestly, don’t be afraid to ask questions. No question is ever a silly one, and more often than not, someone else is wondering the same thing. Once I started doing that it changed everything for me. You’ll be surprised how much you grow when you just give yourself permission to try, to fail and to keep going.

Learn more about Construction, Surveying and Real Estate courses available at the University of Westminster.