Supply Chain Review

I felt that working for L'Oreal was a very mixed experience there were some aspects that I enjoyed and others which I did not. This was very dependent on who managed me and the role of my job.

I had the opportunity to work within a small team on a unique brand within L'Oreal. I felt very valued by this team and I didn't feel like the hierarchical structure effected the team. Everyone was on an equal level with their opinions all valued. In the wider business, it was very dependent on the manager. Some managers felt due to their position that their opinion was worth more then yours, whether they had any experience in the topic or not. Some manager were brilliant, and were always there to listen or help, I have much respect for them.

Again very dependent on which manager you ask the support from. You quickly learn who you can depend on for advice. I found very little support from my direct line managers. In my first half of the year I unofficially reported to my line manager's manager. I received a great deal of support and mentoring from this manager, unfortunately with their departure and a team restructure my line of reporting changed and so did the level of support and responsibility I was given.

Highs and lows. However, if the work is not completed due to the team being too small for the workload or they are unable to complete the work whilst you are on leave expect the blame to come your way. The hierarchy works in a way that blame is passed down the chain.

In the first half of the year I was given the ability to explore and innovate new ways to help the business. I had my day to day tasks to do but was able to work on a wide variety of projects with varying levels of responsibility. I was also given the responsibility of being the sole Supply Chain contact for an entire brand which was an incredible experience. Unfortunately in the second half I was stripped of what I would consider the more enjoyable and interesting tasks. I was instead allocated the day to day tasks which no one else wanted to do. This has made me realise that in a Corporate Company you have very little control of your job as it is in the hands of your manager.

I received very little training and the majority of the skills I learnt were self taught. The main area which I developed was in the soft skills. Learning how to dance around the office politics and various alliances people form. I have taken from this experience that it is better to either work for yourself or work with a small group of people who all provide valuable skills. If you are easily replaceable (which you are as an intern in L'Oreal) you will be treated as such. Overall I am glad I took the time to do a year out as it has given me a much clearer picture of the world of work.

I felt that the atmosphere was very clique. There were groups who always had lunch together and always sat on the same tables. You were treated differently depending on who liked you within a given group. Very petty at times. However, when I visited other offices I experienced a completely different vibe and it was much more friendly.

I wouldn't say that organisation is word frequently used as a strength within L'Oreal when it comes to work. For example hand overs are in general poorly executed due to the limited time that there is available to perform them. This is not well organised due the leaving dates of interns already pre - established.

I never went on a course and the invitations I received to attend Customers or courses were not authorised by my line manager. This is despite the people who sent the invitations specifically asking for my attendance.

I did not apply for the Graduate Scheme. I was offered a role within a different company which offered a higher level of responsibility and salary. I do not see myself returning to L'Oreal in the immediate future but wouldn't rule it out as an impossibility.

Where I was situated interns were few and far between. I instead socialised with younger members of the office.

The cost wasn't too bad, what I am used to and expected.

Vibrant, can't not be when living in a city.