Year in Industry Project Manager Review

A very enjoyable and beneficial year in industry. The year in industry scheme is very well organised and offers you great exposure to a wide variety of projects. I was always offered work that was stretching and given a really good amount of responsibility. There is such a wide range of placements available in different areas in the business meaning I have gained invaluable experience in two completely different industry sectors.

There is a good culture of accepting graduate scheme across the business and I have not had any experience of being treated any differently to any other colleague. I have always felt that colleagues have been proactive in assisting with my development and have often gone beyond what would be expected to help me get the most out of my placements.

The year in industry students are treated, to all intents, as post-graduates. This means we have received all the additional support and support network that would be expected from a graduate role. My placement managers have been very supportive of my development and there is a very mature schemes system in place to ensure the YiI's always are getting maximum benefit.

You have the ability to chose how much to get out of this placement. I have always been proactive in looking for additional work and have had the benefit of placement manager who have wanted me to get as much experience and exposure as possible. This means I have always been pretty busy and have had the chance to make the most of the year. There has been a good range of daily activities, from days in the office to site visits and night shifts.

I feel I was given a really high level of responsibility whilst at TfL. The level of responsibility afforded to me was really surprising - and daunting at first - however I have always received really good support from placement managers and my sponsor. I have been able to lead on my own projects (with support) and have also been able to assist on larger projects.

I have always been encouraged to attend as much training as possible - from training on project management, management, finance, to personal and communication skills. The skills I have developed at TfL will assist massively in getting a graduate job and I will also be able to take these skills back to help me in my final year of university.

The offices are generally nice places to work, in central London locations which is convenient. The majority of employees are kard working and have positive attitudes - however there is a bit of an 'old guard' in certain areas of the business who cast a bit of gloom and don't necessarily have the same positive work attitude. I have found that at my two placements that it has been really fun in the office and generally people get on well.

The year in industry scheme is organised the same way as the graduate scheme that has been running for quite a while. There are lots of ex-grads now working in full time roles at TfL so it seems there is good opportunity for progressions inside the company. There is good support from the HR Graduate Team - and a dedicated advisor for each Year in Industry / Graduate scheme

The firm invest in the Year in Industry Project Managers by paying for APM membership and the APM Introductory Certificate. However there is not much scope for additional external training beyond this - and the only training is internal. I would have liked the option to do more external and professionally recognised training.

There seemed to be a promise of good opportunity for moving onto further things at Transport for London, like the opportunity to get onto the graduate scheme - however this does not seem to have materialised yet. The experience we have had at the company should hopefully stand me in good stead should I decide to apply externally.

I didn't live in London, where the placement was based, which meant I didn't have to worry about the cost of living in the area. The cost of socialising isn't as astronomic as you would expect, and the longer you spend in the city the more savvy you become in finding places more suitable for you (and your budget).

There is are a lot of activities going on in small groups outside of work - but they aren't necessarily promoted very much by the company. It seems that finding these opportunities is more about who you know or taking the initiative and organising something yourself. Outside of work, its London so you aren't going to be short of opportunities to get involved in something...