Regional Communications Intern Review

Such a rewarding year, where I got real responsibility and experience and worked on incredible projects!

From day one, my team was incredibly welcoming and inclusive, always ensuring I got to be involved in key projects and had a real role. I wasn't just "the intern". My team became like a work family!

My managers were very supportive, always asking what I'd like to work on and what I wanted to get out of my placement year. This resulted in me being heavily involved in all of what my team worked on, and even managing my own projects. I was given a lot of responsibility in my role and was never afraid to approach my managers about anything.

My role was particularly busy, which resulted in me occasionally coming in early/leaving late. Whilst it was stressful at times, it was ultimately very rewarding and my hard work was always appreciated and noted by more senior members of the team. The nature of my role meant working across several lines of business, and so often led to juggling and multitasking, however I quickly learned how to better balance it all.

I had a high level of responsibility in my job, whereby from the offset I was the main contact for several key stakeholders, and looked after my team's finance trackers, invoices etc. Additionally I managed a project from start to finish, and had the opportunity to work abroad, both independently and with my team, throughout the year.

During my placement, I developed several invaluable skills which will be transferable to many aspects of my degree and future career. I was given a key insight into a global company's internal infrastructure, and was given very helpful and supportive advice from my work colleagues.

The atmosphere in my office was great! You could tell that the team genuinely got on well with each other, and it meant you never had any feeling of dread coming into work. Even at the most stressful times, we always had time to laugh and joke! The team is like a family at times, and it really was a big part of why I loved my placement year.

The placement is very well organised, and both before and during my placement, I knew who to contact if I had questions, and if not, was always pointed in the right direction. Coming into my placement, I immediately was given an in-depth handover period with the previous intern to train me for the role, and I had everything I needed to do my job.

Throughout the year I had many learning and developing opportunities, from Disney University, in-house speaker series' and access to outsourced industry training courses. The training ranged from web lectures on how to liaise with different types of media, to various high profile business women giving in-house talks during International Women's Week. I was always encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities.

Many of the more senior members of staff were previously interns, however they do not offer graduate schemes. I think it would be beneficial to have previous experience of working in the company, but for future employment within my particular department I would first have to gain experience elsewhere.

The intern network was made up of over 180 interns, all based in the London office. I lived with a few other interns, and every day I was working with interns across the business. Outside of work, several days out were organised, and everyone was always invited and welcome!

Living in London was never going to be easy! Unfortunately my placement wage was quite low (however the wage has since gone up for the new generation of interns!). My rent was half my wage, and generally socialising involved drinks, where prices aren't usually student-friendly. That being said, I never struggled for money, and would simply advise to budget accordingly!

In Hammersmith itself (where the office is based), there are only a few pubs where we would frequent for after work drinks, however you're only ever a tube away from the likes of Soho, Mayfair and Picadilly Circus if you wanted more!

I think there was an employee-led football five-a-side team, however other than that, all other activities were usually work-related events.