Placement Student

What was it like working for Howdens Joinery?

I first joined Howdens Joinery as a placement student studying Software Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University. Throughout the year I was treated as a full member of staff, often taking part in various projects, activities and team meetings. During these times I was exposed to the inner workings of Howdens Joinery and what makes the company stand out. I noticed that while each department may work on their own parts of a project, they work as a single unit to achieve the goal. These projects are then finished to an exceptional standard which makes the company achieve better results than its competitors.

Being exposed to these different aspects as a student was very rewarding, and I knew after my year that I had learned more than I ever expected. However, this was not the end of my Howdens journey. Not long before going back to university I was offered a full time position once I had finished my degree, and I gratefully accepted.

As I returned to complete my final year, I asked Howdens if there was a chance I could do a project for them. They accepted, and I was asked to conduct research and development in to new technologies that we might use in the future. I was also kept up-to-date with the goings on while I was back at university, so when I returned to work I knew where I stood and what was expected of me, and I could hit the ground running.

Working at Howdens has already taught me a lot of the working world and I hope to stay for a long time yet. I believe it is a fantastic company to work for, and this has been noticed as Howdens has won multiple awards for this very reason. My experience has always been a positive one and would not want to change a thing.

The future looks good for Howdens as the company is expanding, providing more roles and opportunities for people at all different levels. For someone like me, joining at a lower level has allowed me to see several potential futures and paths that I can take, as I have learnt that many managers have climbed through the Howden ranks from the same position as me. This has really allowed me to think seriously about my future and what I might be able to achieve.

What advice would you give to current students?

My advice to anyone wanting to join would be work hard and you will see it pays off. A perfect example of this can be seen through the social bonus fund, where Howdens allows each employee to choose an activity to take part in, which the company will pay for. This shows that if you work hard you will be rewarded. I, myself have been chosen to go the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which I’m really looking forward to.