Manufacturing Undergraduate Review

The overall experience was one I learned from greatly, and would definitely recommend to others. My placement lasted six months, and for the first three, settling into the environment was difficult, given my placement duties. I felt they did not suit my purpose. Upon requesting a change of department, I was put into a new environment with like minded people, with more stimulating work. Exposure to both sides of the business made the internship an excellent learning experience.

During the former half of my placement, I felt extremely undervalued. Whilst technically I was a competent undergraduate with equal qualifications to a recently graduated Bachelor's student, I was not taken seriously. This however could also be due to the general lack of placement students, and inexperience by the department for dealing with such a scenario. The latter half of my placement made me feel appreciated and proud of my work. I had a specific role and purpose in the department, and worked regularly with people within the department, enough to create substantial dialog and an identity for myself.

My management supervisors were superb in every way. My industrial placement supervisor was fantastic, guiding me through all my tasks and concerns, grooming me for the business. My departmental supervisors were also stellar, providing me with work when I requested a challenge, whilst maintaining approachable personas.

During my former half, not busy at all. I would spend most of my days browsing the internet, trying to teach myself how to code, make websites and use software like AutoCad. The latter half of my placement was sufficiently busy, enough to keep me from twiddling my thumbs. Given my role in the department, I would regularly engage with colleagues, inspectors and suppliers.

Former half: barely any. Aside from being involved with the management of the JLR Cross Plant Innovation Challenge at the beginning of my placement, my responsibilities tapered off to null during my first half. Latter half: immense. I was put in direct charge of a particular vehicle commodity, responsible for the respective suppliers and inspectors.

With regards to my academic performance, the technical knowledge I gained has had no impact. However, skills such as time management, working as a team, knowing what to and not to say (Buropolitik) and ultimately pacing oneself for larger projects has had a much larger impact on my persona. All of these aspects have made me a more rooted individual in terms of work ethic.

This would depend on the state of affairs for the week. There were weeks when there was a need to always be on your feet because something had caused the track to stop, or a particular board meeting was around the corner and presentations needed to be put together. Some weeks (usually just after submission deadlines/problems resolved) the atmosphere would become slightly more relaxed. It was never dull however. If the workload did not stimulate you, the company (colleagues and staff) did.

Very poorly organised. From my experience I noted that my placement had no direct plan of action. My responsibilities were given to me on the fly, with no particular direction. However I would not have had it any other way. The fact that I had no defined route meant I was able to apply myself on the given task and, if unsatisfied by the level of difficulty would approach my superiors and ask for a more challenging duty. This gave me the opportunity not only to test my own skills and limitations, but cultivated a sense of independence, enough to give me the confidence to speak my mind to my supervisors whenever I felt a need for a more challenging role.

In terms of a set paradigm such as courses, tasks and projects specifically designed to help develop one's personal skills, the company invested very little to nothing into me. However, my supervisors on all levels used their knowledge, experience and patience to listen and accordingly, give me tasks which would shape me as a better, more skilled individual. This lack of order with regards to personal development training essentially catalysed the need for one's own initiative to seek out developmental goals, something I feel was more effective than any other plan I could have been supervised under.

Given my experience working at the Castle Bromwich Manufacturing Plant, coupled by the upcoming expansion of the company, I would definitely reconsider working there. In fact I have recently applied for a graduate role with the company.

Aside from meeting a handful of placement students, I never had the chance of associating myself with the mysterious other students. The atmosphere with other colleagues however was comforting; kudos to my supervisors for cultivating such a stable and relaxed, yet effective and efficient working environment.

Cost of living was below average, as goods in Birmingham are cheaper than in Edinburgh, where I was originally based. Socialising however was very poor, as I was made to live in a very rough part of town. My movements were limited to work, the shops near work, the gym and my studio flat.

The Birmingham nightlife was, much like any other large city in the UK: loud and hot followed by chips and a kebab. Mainstream music coupled by cheap drinks and sticky dance-floors. The higher priced bars were a lot nicer for drinks and a laugh. Overall, nothing spectacular. However, this particular review must be taken with a pinch of salt as I rarely went out to experience the nightlife. I had no company to go out with me, and therefore my experiences are few and exposure limited.

Yes. Birmingham is a huge city with many opportunities to get involved in. However my one comment regarding the city is the need for a car. Whilst public transport is sufficient to get around the city, it is slow and unreliable. In order to take advantage of what the city has to offer, a vehicle is needed for transport.