Fleet Business Performance Undergraduate Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at VWFS. The responsibilities and trust that I have gained throughout this placement have exceeded my expectations. I have made a really good connection with everyone in my team as well as great friendships with the other undergraduates. The benefits that VWFS offers are very unique.

I have felt very valued throughout my time spent at VWFS. As I have rotated around the department that I have worked within, I have received a lot of feedback on my performance within the team and I have constantly been thanked for my hard work and contribution. The work that I have put into each time has constantly been recognised.

VWFS are very strong when providing support during an undergraduate’s placement year. Each month there is a one to one meeting put in with your line manager. This is to go through anything the undergraduate wishes to discuss and to address any potential issues. You are constantly able to feel confident in asking questions in your department, whether you are unsure about something or just wish to seek clarification.

This ranged when rotating around my department. At the beginning of the placement, it takes a few weeks until you are able to gain access from Germany. Therefore at the start of my placement I wasn’t very busy on a daily basis. When rotating into two other roles, I have taken on two full time positions so have had a lot of daily tasks. Also when working on projects with the other undergraduates, they have required a lot of busy and therefore I have been very busy on a daily basis.

As I took on two full time employee roles during my placement, I was given a lot of responsibility within VWFS. The undergraduates were also given large projects to work on throughout the year. For example, we have been tasked with creating a graduate scheme proposal for the organisation which has been a lot of responsibility.

I have learnt a great deal and have had the chance to gain and improve upon my current skills within VWFS. Previously I lacked great confidence in presentations. However as we have had multiple this year, I believe that my skills within this have greatly increased. Also my general professionalism within the workplace and the ability to communicate with a wide range of individuals from all levels has been improved upon. These skills are very transferable and will help me in both my future studies and also my future working life.

The general atmosphere in my office is very friendly and welcoming. Everyone is very positive and is always willing to help whenever it is needed. Although deadlines are needed to be met, there is quite a relaxed atmosphere within my office and everyone is trusted to get on with their own responsibilities.

My placement was very well organised as it was set up to have 4 rotations within my department, lasting 3 months each. Although the length of time that I have spent in each department has differed, the overall structure of the scheme has stayed the same. It has also been clear in each team the role that I have been due to carry out.

VWFS are very supportive in the way in which the personally develop and train their undergraduates. We constantly have courses put in place to help ourselves personally develop. These courses have ranged from time management, interview skills and also the benefits of Linked In. We have also had a course whereby as a team we completed an online test to find out what motivates ourselves and how we react to conflict. There have also been a lot of other activities and opportunities involved that have shown how well the firm invests in us.

As I have really enjoyed my time at VWFS I would definitely see the organisation as a potential future employer of my own. The benefits that the company offer as well as the culture within it are very attractive and everyone is made to feel like a very valued employee. It is a very desirable place to work.

Although Milton Keynes is not a student city and therefore isn’t as lively or has as many things to get involved in; the social scene between other undergraduates has been good. There have been many nights out together as well as meals together. My team also socialise together on a lot of occasions and we have many Fleet evenings out where we go bowling or for a meal.

The cost of living and socialising within Milton Keynes is very reasonable. As it is not a major city like London, the costs are quite low in comparison and the bars are also quite cheap. I didn’t personally move to Milton Keynes so I have not had a true experience of this.

As stated previously Milton Keynes is not a very large city and doesn’t have a universities linked to it. This makes the nightlight differ too many other placements. There is however a lot of different bars and clubs available that offer different themes and vibes within them. There are two main clubs within Milton Keynes that offer two very different experiences.

Outside of my daily work responsibilities I have also got involved in the mentoring scheme at VWFS whereby we are in partnership with a school and are assigned a student to mentor throughout the year. There are also many other CSR opportunities available to get involved in within the organisation.