Business Systems Analyst Review

Highly enjoyed it. Within a few days I was set up and working on real projects. We are trusted and treated like a real member of the team. The work provides, technical, communication and time challenges which really help towards an all round experience.

Extremely valued. The team treat placements like normal members of staff. They value the new fresh ideas as well as support to make sure that we can keep contributing. We are all working to common goals and our input is welcomed to achieve and some times improve on goals that were not looking to go so well

There has been a good balance between support and then freedom also.

Always something to be doing each day. The team are careful to manage demand on the team as well as individuals. We are also empowered to ask for more or less if we happened to be struggling with finding things to do or the opposite we have too much.

I was given a number of responsibilities sometimes leads on projects and tasks as well. Not to mention my own responsibility for time management and dress code. The company empowers its employees and us too which makes a real difference. As regards the project side of things being a lead analyst really opened my eyes to what the role is about and fostered interest into more jobs like this rather than just being a normal IT fix it technician.

Most definitely will use the communication skills and project management skills elsewhere. The time management also has been much different to what I expected. Exposure to different project management methodologies and also picking up new things very quickly will all be skills I will take away from this placement.

General atmosphere was always bright and open. Supervisors sitting with colleagues and everyone always open to have a chat. Plenty of laughter and fun along with getting down to the serious business of delivering work. Different roles and teams share the office but it is not too crowded or too empty either. everyone has space to move and it is really good. Nothing like my initial expectations of office work at all.

HR were very good with contact and keeping in touch pre start date. Everything was very effiecient and always knew what was going on. We were then handed over to our supervisors and again contact is good. There is a lack of structured placement activities but I think that is better overall as it means that we are actually working rather than undertaking work that is not relevant or special work only for placements. we are right in the thick of it and it is really well managed.

The company has invested on 2 day training course as well as getting lots of support in terms of equipment and software training.

The prospects are very appealing, I would love to work here in the future should I be lucky enough. The benefits of the company are appropriate and really really good. some of which I have accessed as a placement student.

Housing around the area can be difficult to find. Therefore the group got spread out quite far. The group is split among the teams that are at the site so there is only a handful in each department, Again spread across the site. Plenty of social events did get organised and are planned for the future to get people together and socialise. This is thanks to the graduates arriving and bringing some influence into it.

Cost of living was higher than most. The house share was a 4 bedroom house and my en suite room cost £469 which later went up to £499 My friend's room was a single and only cost about £300 bills all in. Taxis were pretty cheap considering we lived outside the centre £6 to the train station and the town centre whatever time. Drinks prices were average city price for cities that do not have students £3.50 for a pint. Plenty of good well priced chain type and independent food establishments that were again fairly priced. It is worth mentioning there are cheaper and closer places to live. However the housing, people and services were much better in Hampton

Nightlife was okay. Plenty on offer for all sorts of people. Tending to lean towards fancy bars rather than all night club establishments. Plenty of pubs on the outskirts as well as in the centre. Wide range of food places to eat as well as a heap of places serving local real ales. By far the best night out was spent at the beer festival, an annual event that was thoroughly enjoyable thanks to the entertainment, drinks and food on offer.

Plenty of opportunities to get involved with community activities in Hampton and the town centre. There are plenty of sports clubs around and about not to mention the very well structured gyms. Vivacity offer 5 gyms with varying facilities around Peterborough that you can use regardless of which one you sign up at. Makes it really handy if you fancy a swim or gym and you are not near your usual location. The courts for racket sports are pricey but you can get a free discount card just for giving an e-mail address, Discounted further if you buy a monthly membership. Working for the company gets you discount on the monthly memberships but any students will be very shocked at how expensive it is. If price is an issue avoid the premier fitness option as that is around £50 a month at my last checking.