Finance Analyst Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my work placement. I gained a lot of experience and it has definitely helped me mature and understand finance within a large organisation. The atmosphere within the office was great and very welcoming from day one. Everyone was lovely and included me in all events.

I felt extremely valued by my colleagues. They asked for my help on various occasions, which made me feel useful and I was treated like a member of staff not just a placement student. I was given exciting tasks to do and other members of staff where very helpful when it came to explaining tasks or assisting in them.

My manager was very good at giving support and guidance. He always ensured I understood each task I was given and also ensured that I was never afraid to ask him for help or support. I felt at ease whilst in work and I had it drilled into my head from day 1 to ask a question if I not too, not to sit and worry.

At the beginning of my placement I wasn't too busy, as it took a while for people to explain tasks as they were generally busy and having to take time out of their work day to explain the tasks. This was only the case for around a month and ever since I have been relatively busy. Some days are busier than other as there is a couple of weeks with more deadlines that others.

I was giving a lot of responsibility during my placement. A lot more than what I thought I would be anyway. There were times people would ring me and ask me to train them over the phone on how to use a system that I had only learnt to use a month before. I was also in charge of loading important files and reports onto a system for people to use throughout Caterpillar.

The atmosphere was great within the office. Everyone was so friendly and there always seemed to be a buzz. There was always something funny happening around you and you didn't feel as if you had to work constantly. It was quite laid back as long as you met all the required deadline. Also at Christmas there was a Christmas dinner organised, secret santa was done and many staff days and nights out where organised throughout the year.

As I was the first placement to be in this department, at the start everything was a bit up in the air. After a month, everything was more settled and organised. I think everything was up in the air a bit as there was no handover period from a previous placement student so people who were very busy including mangers where having to take time out of their busy schedule to train me. Once trained, the tasks I was given took up most of my time.

I attended lots of training throughout my time at Caterpillar. Beginning from day 1, I had a half day induction including health and safety training. Then throughout the year I completed lots of online courses. Also a few courses in the meeting rooms. The courses taught me a lot and were very useful.

Future employment prospects within the organisation are great. There is a graduate scheme available some years. I have also been offered a great reference and been told if there are vacancies opening that I will have a very high chance of getting it. I would love to work for Caterpillar in the future as prospects within the organisation seem great and there is a lot of opportunities to improve and become higher grades.

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The area I work is my home town. The nightlife is great and it was even better as I made friends within work but also had many friends outside of work.

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