Spring Programme Review

It was an enjoyable couple of days with the opportunity to see how the company works, meet people at different levels (from graduates to senior managers) and, on the final day, take part in a Selection Day for the opportunity to work with the company in future. Food and accommodation was also provided, and travel costs covered, which meant it was affordable.

Although we weren't completing any work at the company, everyone I spoke to was very friendly and didn't treat us like outsiders or visitors, with those running the programme based at the hotel who made a real effort to interact with us. Graduates and managers - at the networking dinners and when we were in the offices - always sounded genuinely interested and were willing to answer any questions I asked.

Everything was clearly set out in the programme we received at the start of the week and explained in detail each morning before we began what we were doing for the day. It would've been useful to get a little more detail in advance, though, about how the week would be set out (and a reminder to bring a passport as quite a few people forgot this!)

Not particularly relevant to my course at University but it taught me a lot of new things about how the company works and skills regarding project work and presentations. This will definitely be useful in my Summer Placement with Unilever which I secured as a result of this Spring Programme, as well as in my future career.

Well structured and we always had something to do with a range of different opportunities, including in the evenings where we were able to meet graduates or current placement students as well as chat with each other over dinner. The final assessment day saw us split in to two groups and there was a bit of waiting around in the morning, but this was probably unavoidable.

Very positive and happy atmosphere which seems to fit with the company as a whole, there was always lots going on and everyone running the spring programme seemed to be happy to answer any questions we had and engage with us. The atmosphere in the day and evenings, even on the Selection Day, was generally relaxed and laid back.

This wasn't a work placement but the company must have spent a considerable amount on the programme and provided all food, accommodation and travel expenses for those of us there - it definitely felt like they were keen to give us considerable insight into the company and help prepare us for the Selection Day on the Friday by teaching us about Unilever and how they work as a business.

The opportunities to speak with current graduates as well as senior managers gave me great insight into how the company works and what they do on a day to day basis, especially in the business area I applied for. Placement students also explained what sort of things they do, taking on quite a bit of responsibility early on in their placement.

The company culture and focus on sustainability was clear before I even arrived; but this was reinforced throughout the programme with the values of the company core to what we were doing and emphasised at various points. The company culture was also evident around the office and was brought up in presentations as well as more casual conversations with employees.

This definitely helped me decide I want to pursue a career in an FMCG company like Unilever, in the business area I applied for (Customer Development) or similar. This was confirmed by conversations I had with employees at different levels in the business as well as presentations and what we took part in over the course of the week.

All food, accommodation and travel was covered during the Spring Programme, including travel from the hotel to the office every day and 3 meals. This made it an affordable programme to take part in and added to the experience, such as through the networking dinner at the hotel which meant we weren't finished after we left the office.

We met senior managers, graduates, as well as Industrial Placement students - meaning there were various opportunities to engage with current employees not just in the activities but at networking dinners and over lunch, as well as hearing from those higher up in the company during presentations we received over the course of the programme.

There were various networking opportunities with fellow students on the programme as well as current employees in the company, including a networking dinner with senior managers and a chance to speak to employees who were recent graduates or on an Industrial Placement while we were in the offices, working with a recent graduate from our business area on a 'Brand Challenge' project in a group one day.

Not really

I would definitely recommend this insight as an opportunity, if nothing else, to see how the company operates and engage with current employees. This is made even better by the fact travel, food and accommodation is fully funded and it definitely gives you a great advantage when it comes to the Selection Day on the Friday having spent time in the company finding out about your business area and how the company as a whole operates, as well as the values and culture of Unilever.