Industrial Placement Review

It is a tough placement, particularly the amount of awkward hours you work, however, it is equally rewarding.

I have been a valued member of management within stores. Out of stores, I have undertaken projects that have been presented to Directors.

As the year has gone on I have developed a really good relationship with my mentor who has helped me whenever needed and become a good friend.

It is a very busy job at times, particularly as you progress through your in store management training it becomes a bit of a balancing act. However, there have been a couple of quiet periods. For the majority of the time though I have not felt swamped or too quiet.

A lot. Having spoken to people undertaking other placements I feel like I have been given a lot of responsibility. Managing a store, undertaking big projects and even being given the chance to run an Area Manager's area for two weeks, although they were there if I needed.

My skills don't directly relate to my degree because I do not study a business degree, however, skills that I have learned can definitely be transferred, for example; management (group work), communication and presentations skills, organisation, and my Excel skills have also improved.

In store the offices are very busy as they run as efficiently as possible so there are quite often people coming in and out. The stores definitely have a good buzz to them. In the Regional Office the Area Manager office is normally quiet as the majority of Area Managers are in their stores.

I got on to the placement two weeks before my start date, as a result there was a bit of confusion around the beginning of the year. However, that improved very quickly and then ran fairly smoothly. It is a job that does require a certain level of flexibility though, this goes for the graduate role even more so, therefore, it is good to be able to show this in your placement.

They give almost the same level of training they give to the new graduates. The management courses that I got to do were very good. I got to go to an all expenses paid placement event to another region and stayed at a nice hotel. The placement students get invited to the Christmas party as well. Besides that, they give you a lot of training as they want you to come back as an Area Manager, not just to come and be used as cheap labour for the year so it is in their best interest for you to be well trained.

It is a tough job, but once you settle into it it is really good because of how rewarding it is. The Area Manager role does mean working at some weekends, but once you become a director you move to a more Monday to Friday role.

Unlike a lot of my friends who got to live in houses with other placement students I had to live on my own which was quite difficult. I mostly relied on University friends and friends from School for my social life. If you get the option to be based near your home or university I would do that.

Varied, I moved to different locations within the region I was in.

I did not often go out with work.