Engineering Placement Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at Perkins Engines, and have used this year as a platform to grow. Initially I found some of the work challenging and wasn’t enjoying my time as much as I am now that I am nearing the end of my placement. I think as time has gone on, and I have learnt more and more I have begun to really enjoy the work I do.

Regardless of the fact that I am a placement student I have been made to feel that I am a valued team member as though I am here on full time employment. Having the comfort to be able to ask any questions I may have, and to be listened to and have my opinion valued has been very refreshing.

After highlighting potential room for improvement in my first placement rotation I have seen a dramatic change in support and guidance from my new supervisor who has really championed my professional development. Now with my own SMART goals written and having an end of year review it has really helped with guiding me through this placement. In addition to my weekly one to one meetings there is a constant communication loop that enables me to run things past my supervisor to help support me during my time here.

It is difficult to answer how busy I am on a daily basis because that is entirely down to the individual. In that you are as busy as you want to be – with the opportunity to take on work at your own rate you can really create the right balance for you. As I wanted to push myself to see how well I could perform some days are quite busy, and the time just seems to fly past. This is not to say that there are some days where I was in a lull from work, and had more time which I was able to use completing IMechE MPDS reports or university work.

During my time I have been given different responsibilities and deliverables for different projects. With time going on more and more responsibility was bestowed upon myself, as I proved that I could perform and deliver set targets. Currently I am responsible for eight projects with varying levels of accountability, from owning certain processes in producing metrics, to ensuring I can deliver a solution to track and feeding information to the budget owner.

Some of the 6 Sigma tools I have learnt whilst I have been here are transferable to many applications and will definitely be something I can use in my university studies and professional career. Although some of the work I have done I cannot use in my university studies, the work ethic I now have, time management and work prioritisation is something that has now become embedded in my life and will stay with me forever.

As most of the people in my office are almost twice my age there isn’t the same buzz and liveliness that could be found in an office of younger colleagues. Also with an office size of 21 it is quite quiet in the day, with times to catch up with each other. But I quite enjoyed this environment as it allowed me to get work done. As most people in the office are quite busy, there isn’t really much time to sit around and chat.

Arguably one to the two 6 month placements I have completed shouldn’t have been given to a placement student due to the amount of knowledge to gain before being able to contribute to the completion of the task – so when we rotated the other placement student then struggled initially to get up to speed. But now with a new placement supervisor in addition to my supervisor who I work for it has really help give that much more support. Moving forward things are looking good as feedback I have given is being taken into consideration to improve the placement set up.

I have been able to become a STEM Ambassador whilst here at Perkins Engines, and volunteer with the First Lego League and Rocket Building schemes at local primary schools. In addition I have completed my 6 Sigma Green Belt training and passed my test to become certified. Also a SWE (simulated work experience) training session where we learnt more about the CPS (Caterpillar production system) and about lean manufacturing.

Although I have not been asked about the graduate schemes on offer here at Caterpillar I would like to think that if I did apply, with my experience here already, that it should put me in a good position. However there has been no inclination shown by my supervisors to say so.

There is no social platform within the company apart from an YPUK (young professionals UK) group who organise events but there is the same handful of people attending. But with large quantities of graduate and placement students there is a good network of people to meet and socialise with. I personally have taken it upon myself to hold meetings with all placements to create a platform for discussion and add a social aspect to our work.

Living in Peterborough the living costs aren’t too bad, with my monthly rent at £360 a month including gas, water, electricity and Wi-Fi it is very reasonable. With my biggest expenditure coming from fuel costs as I would travel home most weekends.

The nightlife in Peterborough isn’t great, I’d rather stay in that endure another night out. However Stamford offers a much better nightlife with many bars and pubs in an idyllic location.

Activities outside of work were never introduced to me as a placement student however I do now know of football, basketball and cricket which is organised outside of work. Apart from that I don’t know.