Talent, Leadership and Organisation Development Industrial Placement Review

I've had a great time at my placement. I had the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to projects, have a vision of how it is that my work adds value and what it ultimately leads to. My thoughts and opinions were taken into account, and I was always given the chance to voice them. Because my work was project based, I was able to explore different parts of the function and really get a broad overview of all the different things going on. It was busy, it was manic, it was an amazing experience

Everyone is extremely friendly and open. Regardless of hierarchy, interactions are very open and trusting but of course it is a professional environment so that distance is always there (as it should be I think). I worked with several quite senior people, but I always felt valued as I was always asked for my thoughts. I felt comfortable offering ideas, and challenging others - I was taken seriously and offered a lot of knowledge and support.

As my year was project based, I worked with several different supervisors who were all very open, and supportive. They always welcomes questions, and were willing to help me work through issues and reach my goals. I had regular 1:1 sessions with my manager where I was able to discuss my personal development, any issues I may be facing. If there was anything that was not entirely working for me, or if there was anything I wanted to explore they were always willing to help, or put me in contact with someone who could help

There is strong advocacy for maintaining work-life balance, which my manager regularly checked up on. Ultimately it comes down to the person to voice it when they have too much/too little to do and my manager was always willing to listen. Busy periods and down times came in waves. I had times where I was extremely busy, fewer incidents where I had nothing to do (hand counted number of days really) but majority of the time it was a good balance

I started with small, admin-like things to do when I joined but as I gained more knowledge and built my confidence I was given chunkier bit of works within the project that I owned and took responsibility for. Half way through the placement I was project managing something mostly on my own!

My time management and project management skills have sky-rocketed. I also think I much more confident now, and feel comfortable taking the lead in group work. These skills will definitely stay with me for life

The floor is open plan, and employees hotdesk so you can sit next to someone different every day and interact, There were many mini team events (just 15-30min) where people got together on the floor, had some coffee (and lots and lots of cake) and had a chat. Everyone is quite relaxed but of course extremely busy, so there are times when things get quiet during crunch time

The placement at the office itself was organised very well, the onboarding process is well supported. However, the customer service of the third part agency placement students are hired through (SRG) was not good

I'd love to come back and work here! I have in fact applied for the graduate programme

The placement student community, and the graduate student community is quite close knit and interactive.

Cannot comment as I commuted from quite a distance. In the area itself there isn't much but central London is just a small tube journey away where everything is available

Orange day, save the children partnership, several other volunteering opportunities