This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
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The Role
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The Company
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The Culture
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
- 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
- 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
- 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
- 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
- 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
- 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
- 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
- 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
- 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
- 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
- 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
The Role
As with any job there are going to be tough times and fun times. However, the tough times can often be fun. On the whole I had a great time on placement and enjoyed much of it.
I felt very valued by my colleagues. They were always happy to answer any questions I had. From the beginning to the end of the placement I felt like I was part of a team where everyone valued one another.
The support from Team Leaders and Managers was very reassuring. With regular meetings arranged to discuss how the job was going there was always instances were points could be raised. As well as support regarding working at the company a great deal of interest was also shown in making sure any university reports/essays had been completed.
The beauty of this placement was that it was impossible to be bored. There were many different aspects to the job and with all employees encouraged to be proactive there was always something useful that could be done.
The fact that I was regularly speaking to experienced engineers regarding systems they were developing indicates the trust that had been shown in me . Having already been given the necessary technical training I felt confident in any aspect of the job and was given plenty of opportunities by the company to prove this.
Whatever happens in the rest of my degree the placement year always will be the highlight. Working in a team alongside experienced engineers is a feeling that not only makes me proud but makes me more excited about the future of the industry. The technical skills gained will be useful for as long as I am in the industry and the people skills acquired throughout the year in something that can rarely be taught.
The Company
The office had a great atmosphere. This was due to the fact that everyone was so friendly and various fun activities outside of work were always happening. It is becasue of the positive atmosphere in the office that I will stay good friends with many of my colleagues and keep in touch with as many as I can.
The set up of the placement was very well structured. From the initial training to the individual and team projects' there was so many opportunities to experience various parts of the business.
The vast amount of training that was provided proved that the company was leaving no stone unturned. The training was both essential and enjoyable. Throughout the year there was also numerous occasions to develop skills or learn about a different aspect of the company.
Company Parties/Events
Having seen the amount of placement students and recent graduates working in the company there is a belief in investing in the younger generation. I would certainly like to go back one day.
The Culture
The social scene was excellent. Even after just a few weeks everyone got along and were meeting up outside work. One of the numerous activities outside of work included the 3 peaks challenge!
Personally, the cost of living was similar to what I had already been used to. There is cheap and expensive in all towns/cities. Its just about looking in the right places.
Whether it was a quiet drink at a bar or a film at the cinema there was always something to do. It was not so much of a student town but after the end of a busy week you soon realise that a 'crazy' night might not be top of the list. Nonetheless there was something to suit everyones taste.
As mentioned previously, everyone in the office was so easy to get along with. Endless activities were arranged outside of work. From a boat race through the town to a trip up to London to watch the football there was rarely a boring weekend.
Details
Placement (10 Months+)
South East
September 2011