Programme Purchasing Intern Review

I enjoyed my placement overall. The first two weeks were quite slow, and I found I had a lot of time to fill. But my manager and my team were all really helpful. I've enjoyed meeting lots of new people, and they are all really supportive. My project was challenging, in a good way. I was given the opportunity to manage it myself, with support when needed.

Everyone I have met with and spoken with has treated me with respect, and given me their time to support me with my project. I can imagine in some situations, other employees would look down upon the project of an intern as low priority and unimportant. But that hasn't been the case here.

The support from my manager has been great. We have had regular one to ones, particular in the beginning of the placement when she taught me lots about what I needed to know. I have also been well supported by my senior manager, who has given me personal input and guidance regarding my project as it progressed.

In the first two/three weeks before my project fully kicked off, I found I had much too little to do to fill the time. In the next few weeks I found I had lots more to do, in terms of one to one interviews etc. But I still had a lot of free time to spare. My manager did give me a second project though, so this isn't the case anymore.

Complete responsibility for my project, which has been good. I have been left to my own devices, with a set of objectives to meet by the end of my placement. I liked this, because it gave me creative license to carry out my project in the way I thought most appropriate.

The communication skills I've gained here have been really valuable in terms of my professional development. Also the insight into the running of a large organisation has been really helpful. Specifically, I wanted to focus on developing my presentation skills, and I was given the opportunity to present the status of my project to senior managers, which was also helpful.

I was lucky because there was another intern in my team who I got on well with. So it was never really dull in that sense, because I had someone in the same boat as me to talk to. Everyone else was perfectly friendly in the office, but the atmosphere was often pretty quiet. I don't really mind this though.

Overall, I would say not great. I think I was lucky to have been put into a good team, with a good manager. I know a lot of other people who haven't been put on specific project, and haven't been given much opportunity for development. My own placement was well organised however, as my manager had a project prepared for me in advance, and set up everything for me upon my arrival.

A big group of interns stayed at Coventry university accommodation, and we all car shared into work. I've met some great friends because of this, and there is a really good atmosphere at the accommodation. Also, the purchasing interns who I met both at the inductions and my assessment centre all have a good social scene too.

There was only one club really worth going to in Coventry, and even that was dire (apparently). Leamington is a lot nicer, we went there for drinks a couple of times. There are other nearby places with decent bars (eg. Solihull). Also, Birmingham isn't far on the train (only 20 minutes away) so there's always that option.

Yes, if you look for it. I've done yoga and dance classes since starting here off my own back. For interns that are with Jaguar Land Rover for longer than 3 months, there is the Employee Learning Scheme, which allows employees to get £200 towards a course/activity (almost anything is possible). We also have a team building activity day scheduled, and a community event at a nearby school scheduled.