HR Specialist Review

I have enjoyed my time with Sony and recognise the technical and soft skills that this year has taught me and the benefits this will have not only in making me more employable post- graduation but also in enabling me to have more mature attitude and focus in my final year of university. I also met a lot of people during my time at Sony and have made a number of friends and connections I will keep for the future. The other placement students also made my time at Sony a lot more enjoyable as there were other people in the same situation as me and that made the transition from university to working life a lot easier.

I was given a lot of responsibility during my time at Sony therefore feeling like I was valued by my colleagues. They would also give me feedback on my work so I was also able to improve for the next time.

At Sony I was very much thrown in as soon as I started, I had a number of different managers and worked for a number of different people. I was given support when asked for it and guidance throughout my time.

I had times that I was less busy and times that I was rushed off my feet. I think there a was a good balance as when there were events on there was more to do in terms of planning and running around on the day than a normal day in the office at my desk.

I was placed on a rotation programme with the Pan European Human Resources Function. I supported various teams during their key business cycles. Initially I worked with Reward, Recognition and Mobility before moving into Learning and Development. During the course of the year I had been part of projects to introduce the global job grading model throughout Sony in Europe. I have also supported the design up-date of strategic and core training modules for employees. Also spent with the Resourcing Team helping screen applications for the 2016/17 placement In-take and supporting at the assessment days by managing logistics, presenting to attendees and invigilating at testing.

My placement year has helped me gain in confidence and given me an insight into the corporate world. I developed both technical and soft skills during my placement year. Technically I developed my computer skills (Word, Excel, Database management) together with gaining a detailed understanding on how corporations are set up and operate. I improved significantly my presentation skills during the year and also got used to having to prioritise and organize the tasks set for me. During the year I gained more confidence and found that I had more to contribute in meetings and brain stormings. I am also far more focused and organized in my studies, more disciplined around my time keeping, more confident to speak out or ask questions. I have a clearer idea as to where my strengths lie and what type of career I wish to follow

My particular department as it was a European function had a lot of people travelling therefore there was a change in atmosphere. Sometime it would be loud and busy whistle at other times it would be quiet with only a few people in the department.

There were placement four modules throughout the time at Sony that made it feel like there was a set up and plan for the students, creating a learning journey. Yet not all students attending all of the sessions which was a shame as I felt it should have been compulsory.

Besides from the four modules put on for the us by HR there were other opportunities depending on your department. As I was working within learning and development I had the opportunity to participate in on of the learning&development modules that were available to full-time employees. I was also given help from my colleagues, with more experience, with software's for example excel to further my ability on the software's.

There is not currently a graduate scheme within Sony Electronic Europe therefore I'm not too sure of the opportunities that there currently are for me or other placement students.

Yes there was an 'out of hours' club that was £1 a month and you had the opportunity to attend different events and get discounts to other events too. There were also a number of department specific events throughout the year which was good to meet new people outside the office environment. There were a number of other placement students while I was there, we would have lunch at similar times and socialize during our lunch break.

I lived at home during my time which saved me a lot of money. Weybridge is close to London so there is a lot to do but it is expensive.

Weybridge specifically has few bars & pubs but the surrounding areas have large numbers.

Yes the out of hours club enabled this giving opportunities to get involved with a number of different activities outside work.