Order/Project Management

Melissa Case

Design

Placement (10 Months+)

Cummins

Describe a normal day in the office.

My role involved assisting with the logistics of customer orders such as setting up, monitoring and invoicing projects. I also provided support on major projects. Working within a project department, each day brought something different. I was able to gain exposure to the full cycle of a product by learning about the different aspects of my department and the wider business, getting involved in a variety of projects and tasks.

What were the highlights of your job?

The main highlight for me this year was the amount of responsibility I was given throughout my placement, being able to lead projects and challenging myself with the work I took on. As part of a global company, anything you do can make an impact on a large scale. I led a project this year to implement a tool and process into my department which is now to be rolled out globally.

What is the most valuable lesson your learnt on your placement/internship?

I have had a very rewarding year and Cummins has supported me throughout my industrial placement, giving me the necessary training and development for my role. I was able to attend a project management course in which theories I had learnt at university were put into practice in a working environment on a regular basis. I have learnt and built on many skills this year including project management, communication and time management.

What made you apply to Cummins?

Cummins is a global power leader and I wanted to gain an insight into how a large company operates. I wanted to make the most out of my industrial placement by working somewhere that could offer a wide variety of opportunities throughout the year. Cummins supports and develops its placement students and my department has tailored my placement to benefit my university course as well as help with my future career.

How has this placement/internship affected your career prospects?

Throughout university I didn’t know a great deal about order/project management but had considered it as something I wished to pursue. The knowledge and experience I have gained from my placement has been invaluable; it has not only allowed me to decide which direction I want to take my career, but it has also helped me decide on the type of company I would like to work for once I complete my studies.