Nuclear Science and Engineering Placement Student Review

While initially daunting, I feel that I gradually grew into the role and started taking on more complex and technical work. Networking with other placement students my age also made the experience much more enjoyable, as before starting I was worried that I might be one of very few students in the Company.

I am regularly asked to take on work beyond what I would term "IP work"- i.e. data gathering, admin work etc, I feel this is in reflection of the quality of the work I've done in the past, and I feel that my colleagues trust me to deliver work of a high standard, and I'm treated like I am as much as part of the team as they are.

I had very little contact with my line manager for the first few months, beyond greeting each other in the morning. I feel my mentor for the year was too busy to take on the additional burden of taking care of an IP student, and while more than willing to answer my questions when he was around, I found that very little was offered to me by way of guidance unless I specifically asked for something.

My work came in peaks and troughs, and so I went through periods with very little to do as I waited to receive access to certain files etc, and then periods where I had to turn work down as I had too much to do. I would have preferred one or two large projects for the year, as opposed to the many smaller tasks I was asked to perform.

I was responsible for writing fairly important documents, with real implications if there were errors. In my first few weeks, I was asked to assess the effectiveness of a review process in my group, and make recommendations on how it could be improved. I felt this was a little beyond my level, but it really made me feel like my opinions was valued.

I performed relatively little technical work during my year, but I feel I've really gained an appreciation for the industrial applications of the concepts I have been learning about during my degree. The soft skills I've developed through the year, such as networking, professional interactions and general self confidence will really be useful in my future career.

I believe I started at a bad time, as the workload for most of my team had spiked and people were generally overworked due to the Summer holiday. I do feel however that the atmosphere has steadily improved into a very pleasant workplace, with everyone much happier to support each other.

Placements at EDF very much play second fiddle to the graduate scheme, and appear to receive very little attention from HR and the early careers team. Our Early Careers Induction event was held in February, a full 6 months after many of us had started. The information and guidance given to IPs seems to vary from manager to manager, and without a concerted effort from my mentor, I'm not sure I would have even been aware of another group of people my age working here.

I've been working towards chartership competencies throughout the year, and tasks have been organised specifically for me to gain experience in a variety of areas. I've regularly been sent on training courses, both mandatory and optional, that I feel have really helped both my personal and professional development.

The placement scheme is set up as a direct pipeline to the graduate scheme, and so can be seen as very much a foot in the door to a potentially very lucrative career. I have viewed this year as essentially a year-long interview for the job I really want, and with sponsorship potentially available to support me when I return to university, I feel that I have a huge advantage over other students my age.

The Young Professionals Network is a great way to meet other like-minded people at the Company, and meeting people my age was one of my biggest concerns before starting. I was also concerned that everyone would be your typical engineer, but everyone was phenomenally nice and well rounded, and genuinely enjoyable to socialise with.

Gloucester is relatively cheap, though rent prices are marginally higher than most students would be used to coming from student accommodation. Cheltenham is significantly more expensive in both rent and general cost of living, though is generally a more affluent area , so it was to be expected.

Both Gloucester and Cheltenham have some great venues, including pubs, bars, clubs and everything in between. Bristol is around an hour away, and has thriving nightlife, which is to be expected from a major city. Many placement students coming from a well-known student city may be disappointed in comparison, however.

The Company are extremely supportive of anyone taking up volunteering opportunities, but especially so for placement students. STEM and outreach opportunities are everywhere, and everyone is entitled to take 2 days per year volunteering in the community as part of the Helping Hands scheme. There is also go4set, Adopt a School, and many other schemes with EDF participation.