This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
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The Role
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The Company
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The Culture
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
- 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
- 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
- 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
- 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
- 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
- 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
- 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
- 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
- 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
- 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
- 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
The Role
The placement program at Cognito was enjoyable for the most part
One of the best part of working in a medium size organisation is that you feel valued. I knew or recognised most people and vica versa.
The support and guidance given was excellent and I was able to walk up to almost anyone within the organisation for with any sort of queries or request for help.
Since my role was new, this was quite a hit and miss. There were occasions I was really busy and occasions were I was not busy at all.
I was involved in one of the biggest project the company had ever undertaken and was given responsibility for the work assigned, other than that, it wasn't feasible as the project was critical.
This placement year was one of the best part of my degree course, not just because of development of my studies but also development outside studies/career.
The Company
The general atmosphere was okay. It is upto you to make it more fun or as dull as you want. You are not micro managed nor be overshadowed so you can go either way.
I was the first student to assume my role and the company had just started their biggest project ever. These factors may have affected the organisation of my placement. The amount of work I received varied quite a bit and the information required to get started was a bit lacking. I didn't find this too much of a problem since you could go to anyone for help.
Company provided me with the equipment, tools and software needed to learn and complete any work required.
Flexi Time
Subsidised/Company Gym
Financial Bonus
Company Parties/Events
Working from home
Healthcare/Dental
One of the reason I did a placement is to figure out if the industry is for me or not and I have successfully done so. I see many placement students coming back to work thus the rating.
The Culture
There was a good relationship between other placement students and colleagues and I was able to work with all of them seamlessly.
It depends on what kind of socialising you do. Newbury is not a town for student type socialising and Reading may be more suited for that. I don't do much student type socialising so I found it to be good.
I lived quite far away from where I worked so cannot really comment on this.
Again, this is upto the individual. You are treated as an adult to manage your own time so the company is flexible in that sense.
Details
Placement (10 Months+)
South West
June 2016