Research & Development Engineering Placement Review

I have really enjoyed my placement with Caterpillar. From the start of the very first day I was able to feel welcome among the team and was treated just like any other employee. The working environment has been good, everyone is approachable and the atmosphere within the office is very positive.

Although it did take a few days to get my feet under the table, I was soon up to speed on the work that was being done and able to begin helping. I was able to shadow other members of the team on projects until I had a grasp of them. Then I was trusted to work independently to complete work. Good work was always recognised and input into other projects and being able to help made me feel valued.

I could not have asked for more support from my manager or peers. Any work I was given was clearly set out for me. Any questions I had could be directed towards my manager who would usually be able to help or could also be directed to other people in the office and help would always be given.

Workload has varied but there has always been something to do. On some days I have been busy constantly making phone calls and trying to get things done quickly and other days have been slower paced and allowed me to progress with projects set for me and to help out other members of the team where possible.

I could not complain about the responsibilities I have been given during my placement year. My level of responsibility has always been appropriate to my experience level and while at times I have been pushed I have never felt totally out of my depth. Responsibility has increased progressively throughout the year as my experience and confidence has increased and I have been responsible for delivering on my deadlines.

The training I have received and the skills I have been able to develop on placement have been incredibly valuable during the last 12 months. These skills will certainly help me when I return to University later this year. My confidence, time management, ‘people skills’ and technical knowledge have all been improved during the last 12 months and this will stand me in good stead for final year and beyond.

The office atmosphere has always been fairly good. Being a workplace it is not constant fun and games but there is a positive attitude and my colleagues have always been friendly and keen to help. Everyone is very approachable and nobody has ever rejected my questions. The kitchen area also provides a good chance for an informal chat every now and again.

The overall organisation of the placement and the work I did was very good. Training that we needed to do before we properly started was well prepared and structured and everyone seemed to be expecting us and have work or learning prepared. Caterpillar have been taking on placement students for years and as such the process is well polished.

To begin with the training that was offered to us was only the mandatory site or security training. However we have also been offered opportunities to attend other training and seminars which have been interesting. We were also able to visit another Caterpillar site to see how other areas of the business function which was great and this was paid for by Caterpillar.

I would definitely be keen to return to Caterpillar as a postgraduate. The graduate scheme takes place over 2 years and involves four 6 month work rotations in four different areas,.This will give a very broad level of knowledge and experience whilst allowing you to begin to make choices as to what you want to pursue further after the graduate scheme is over.

There was a good social scene among the placement students and my colleagues. The integration between the placement students, first/second year graduates and those beyond the graduate scheme was very good. Social events that happen every week immediately had invites extended to us when we arrive and this helped with settling in to the area and job.

Very cheap. In comparison to a University town Peterborough is a very cheap place to live. Accommodation was cheap and you never really have to travel very far from Peterborough for an event. If you do, then its easy as there are such good travel connections. There was also ample housing very close to work which made getting to work very cheap/easy.

Nightlife was available and again cheap. It doesn't really compare to a student town as such but there is enough to get by. There are several cinema's, bowling alleys and also the greyhound racing track. Into the town centre there are a few ok clubs and some good pubs to be explored-you can also find some of these in nearby Stamford.

There were plenty of opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work. There are always people in the office organising events which placements are welcome to attend. During my time these have been Paintballing, Wolf run, rally karting and archery to name but a few. Peterborough is one of those places where there are things to do, you just need get a group together and look.