Undergraduate Trainee in Finished Vehicle Distrbution Review

Going into my placement I had never has any prior experience working within a company and had no idea what it would be like. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed the atmosphere and work that I was given. I only once felt slightly out of my depth, but by asking for help I managed to complete the work that I was given.

The project I was given by my manager had me working separately from the majority of the department I was based in however the people around me were all friendly and helpful when I had questions. All the team seemed genuinely interested in what I had done and what I was doing.

My manager was very busy over the course of my placement so I didn't receive weekly meetings throughout the whole 12 week placement however most weeks I was able to speak to him. We went through the work I had done to discuss any improvements that could be made or for me to put forward any ideas. I was encouraged to do my own thing with the project under my managers guidance as he was interested in having a new point of view.

The first week of the placement was a bit slow to get going, having had no prior experience in the area I was learning about the roles my colleagues played in the department. I found there was very little to get on with. On the Friday of the first week I was given my main project which kept my busy throughout the rest of the placement.

I was not put in charge of anything that would have caused problems if I had made mistakes, the work I did was analytical and aimed to provide a basis for my manager to make some key business decisions in the coming year. I was the only person working on the project and my manager seemed really pleased that I had accomplished so much.

By far the best part of the placement for me was the skills and knowledge I developed/gained. I have developed my presentation skills for business meetings and have learnt how to use basic features of Visual Basic which will assist me in my final year of University. My manager discussed what he looks for in a good employee and what he dislikes, which I think i'll find to be invaluable in my future.

The atmosphere was friendly with light chat every now and again. Mostly people got on with their work, but always had time to talk if I had questions regarding a particular area of the business. Members of the team would often invite me out to the supermarket on lunch break if they were going so I definitely felt included.

Day 1 there were a few problems, I did not have all the equipment I needed to begin nor did I receive a project brief until later in the week. This said after the first week everything ran smoothly and I was pleased with the placement.

I was surprised to find upon arrival that even as 3 month interns we were entitled to £200 ELS funding to put towards learning a skill. The variety of skills offered was large however I opted for a half day Land Rover off road experience. There were several interesting talks we were invited to as well that were useful for learning about the company.

I'm saying 9/10 hoping that I will receive a job offer! My manager recommended me for one so assuming there are enough spaces in the 2016 graduate recruitment then I should be in. As far as I know only about 10-15 of the 240 people that undertook a placement this year seem to have performed too poorly to be considered for the graduate scheme. I may be wrong though as this is just from word of mouth.

We were recommended student accommodation with liberty living in Coventry by the Jaguar Land Rover staff. This was £980 for the 12 weeks will bills and internet included. About 150 of the undergraduate interns were living there so it was very reminiscent of arriving at University halls in first year.

£980 all included for accommodation. Coventry is much cheaper than where I come from for pubs and activities. There were a few very cheap chicken shops in close proximity to the accommodation we were staying at, though by the look of it I think there was a good reason it was cheap. Enjoyable after a night on the town thought!

Good range of pubs and clubs, as 150 of us were staying together we were not short of people to go out with.

ELS budget of £200 allowed a half day Land Rover experience and I did things in the evenings and weekends with other interns.