Engineering Summer Intern Review

I really enjoyed my placement at Jaguar Land Rover in the Automotive Safety Office (Quality Engineering). The work was really interesting and everyone I had contact with was happy to make time to help with my project. Over half of the interns were in the same accommodation in Coventry, so we all got to know each other, and met up for lunch. There was a great social atmosphere outside of work as well.

My colleagues in my team were very welcoming and helpful. I was made aware of how my work related to the team and the wider company, and thus appreciated the value of the work I was doing. This kept me motivated and encouraged me to push harder to complete my work to the best possible standard.

Due to the "Smarter Working" system my managers and supervisors were very easy to talk to whenever I needed help. Discussions across desks happened often, to sort out problems as they arose. My mangers were very happy to support weekly/bi-weekly meetings to discuss my progress, and encouraged participation in the group meetings. I was also encouraged to attend work being carried out by other members of the group and even in other teams to find out more about the company.

As I was in control of all three of my main projects, I had a lot of flexibility to manage my own time. This meant that I could ensure I rarely had nothing to do. As I was working on more than one thing, whenever there was a bit of a lull in one project I could work on something else. There were occasions when I was waiting for things to happen in all of my projects, but there were always opportunities to observe other people's work, which kept me busy.

I had a lot of control over my projects, and was the main person responsible for the outcome of two of my three projects. The other was a longer term project, but I was still responsible for ensuring that my section of the project was done. I was given an initial project outline, but after that I was in charge of the project management and organisation. I was responsible for organizing meetings, finding out all the information I needed, and liaising with other members of my team.

I learned a lot about project management, and felt the practice I got at leading a team, chairing meetings and report writing will stand me in good stead for the large project I am currently completing in my final year, and later on in a job. I feel more comfortable in a working environment.

The general atmosphere was very friendly, but productive at the same time. Everyone in the team had a good relationship with each other, and most had been there for a long time. There was often cake/snacks brought in from trips abroad or for birthdays, and due to the smarter working system everyone sat next to someone different each day. This meant we got to know each other very well.

There were some minor hiccups before the placement, but once I arrived my manager was very well prepared for my arrival, with ideas for projects, IT support in place and plans made to meet the rest of the team. HR was always quick to respond if I had any questions about organising training.

As a lot of the interns were living in the same accommodation, there was plenty of opportunity to meet up not just during work hours but also after work and at weekends. We were placed in flats of six, and everyone got on really well. It helped for lift sharing too being in the same place. JLR organised initial activities for us at work, and the accommodation in Coventry also had a welcome evening when we arrived.

Coventry is pretty cheap and food was reasonably priced as we were close to Lidl, Sainsburys, ASDA, Morrisons and Tescos. Socialising was reasonably priced, and there were plenty of restaurants to visit. Nightlife was ok, although the accommodation wasn't in the nicest part of Coventry and I would never have walked back on my own after dark.

Nightlife was ok, most of the interns went out every Friday, and sometimes again during the weekend. We were often invited to drinks with some of the people on the Graduate Scheme in Leamington Spa after work, and there was always transport available. There were other activities such as football on Wednesdays, and we even managed a BBQ in the park. In our flats most people cooked together some of the time. However the accommodation wasn't in the nicest part of Coventry and I would never have walked back on my own after dark.

We were often invited to drinks with some of the people on the Graduate Scheme in Leamington Spa after work, and there was always transport available. There were other activities such as football on Wednesdays, and we even managed a BBQ in the park. In our flats most people cooked together some of the time. However the accommodation wasn't in the nicest part of Coventry and I would never have walked back on my own after dark.