Academy Operations Coordinator Review

Brilliant experience for me as there has never really been a dull day. Busy schedule coupled with working for a fantastic company all added to this. Considering the circumstances (of it being a business and not a theme park) I have thoroughly enjoyed the placement year.

I felt like a big part of the team, which felt almost like a family. I would like to think I got on pretty well with everyone which helped the working aspect of things. Bouncing off information from each other was the norm as I relied on things from the team and vice versa. This all makes you to feel more valued which in turn helped me to add value to the team.

I would say the support from my Manager has been first class, no matter how busy she was I felt that she could always make time for me which was very encouraging to see. Constructive feedback was always given in a clear and supportive manner. Development needs were constantly analysed and assessed all through and the necessary steps to address those needs were always made available by the Manager or the Business,

I never had a second of not having anything to do, from day one I have never had to wait to be given something to do. If they weren't my Daily/weekly/Monthly tasks then I was getting involved in massive projects. However, I felt that the workload was just right and I rarely felt too overwhelmed with what I had to get done. The feeling of boredom was a distant memory from my working life.

I was accountable for a few important processes and that in itself created a great sense of responsibility within me. When you know people are relying on you for things to get done you tend to step up that much more. There was enough projects and practices to get involved in and I was never short from being handed with tasks that made me feel responsible in those areas.

I have certainly gained skills for life from my role and the company. Skills that I gained from the Excel training which the company organised could prove invaluable in my final year of Uni and in the future. Other skills gained like Time management, Presentation skills, communication skills and even simple office skills will definitely bode me well for the rest of my life.

Some might say dull but I will say balanced in general. There were times for a bit of banter but also it was quiet enough sometimes to get some work done. I think it would be a bit tedious if people were trying to

From the beginning right up to the end I would say the Placement scheme was well set up and run. It never felt patchy or unorganised. The scheme has been running for a number of years and that shows as you can see things are planned ahead of time and you are rarely notified of any last minute changes to do with your placement process.

There were a lot of training opportunities that were made available by the company, These could be found online or could be classroom based. It is up to you if you want to take advantage of them really. I believe you learn most working practically and there are also great opportunities to do so - Ask and it shall be given..... However, I would say the hardest part of this is taking good time out of your role/tasks to improve some of the specific skills that you may want to.

Toyota GB are quite a unique company in what they do as they only offer graduate opportunities to those that have done the placement year. This makes the future employment prospects very attractive as you know that they value the investment that they have poured into the placement students. It would be hard to turn down working for such a company if it ever came to it.

There isn't a large number of placement students and as every placement student works in a different department of the business this does sometimes affect the group camaraderie. But in general, I know most students get on well with everyone. You cannot be best friends with everyone in life and there are enough students for you to get on very well with. The social scene is what you make it but there are no great barriers in making that happen!

It is London, so expect London prices... Coming from London myself I am quite used to it but I also go to university far away from London so I know the difference can be a surprise to some. All I can say is be prepared, but do not be afraid, the figures aren't astronomical - You will survive.

I wasn't really around Epsom much during the weekends so I wouldn't really know but rumours areeee that things are neither here or there. Don't expect much basically...

There is a Sports and Social club which regularly offers the opportunities for events after work. Whether its some 5-a-side football or a trip to the theater, there are always one or two things for one to get involved in.