Product development intern Review

I have given 10 stats because I have absolutely loved my placement at The Walt Disney Company. I am so sad to be leaving. I have worked here for 13 months and it has gone so quickly and i have learnt so much. I couldn't have wished for a better experience or host company.

I am treated with respect and dignity. My colleagues at The Walt Disney Company are very understanding and know that I have my own jobs to work on as well as assisting them with projects. I have made some lovely friends and everyone has been so helpful and welcoming towards me.

My manager at The Walt Disney Company has been extremely helpful and welcoming. I was given support from the moment I got the job, to starting and all the way through to finishing now. She is very understanding and I feel like I can always ask if I am ever unsure or anything. She was also very clear and helpful whilst giving me training.

Some days were busier than others at The Walt Disney Company but there is always something to do. Sometimes I was very busy but my colleagues were always there to support so I didn't feel overwhelmed. On quieter days, such as the Christmas holidays, I always found admin tasks I could do or creative personal projects that I could look at.

I was given lots of responsibility on my placement at The Walt Disney Company. I was in charge or my own clothing account where I would organise all my own meetings and visits. I also did lots of projects on my own such as writing a magazine. On other days I was given the task or setting up for showcases within a team. I wasn't treated like a 'standard' intern. I had lots of responsibility and lots of my own work to do, just like a real job.

The new skills I have learnt at The Walt Disney Company will definitely assist me in my final year at university. I have learnt totally new skills like product developement and how to run an account- this involves lots of organisation which will be key for university. I have also developed existing skills such as photoshop which will aid my degree. The job itself has also given me a good idea what I want to do as a career when I finish university. Working here has also improved my basic business skills and I feel like I am now ready for the world of work!

The atmosphere in my office was great! The office itself is huge but everyone is very pleasant. My floor itself was amazing- the atmosphere is very chilled despite us all working hard. We also do lots of fun social activities like after work drinks, a rounders tournament and decorating our desks for Christmas which was one of my highlights. I never feel bad and everyone is always smiling or laughing. We also have welcoming lunches so new starters feel welcomed and at ease as soon as the placement starts.

The Walt Disney Company have been employing interns for years so the process is very smooth and efficient. The interview was superbly organised and you received lots of support prior to the interview and prior to your first day. We even got sent a map and directions as the office can be a little hard to find. When I first started, all my admin and details had been filled out so I could start working properly straight away. My company also ensured I had a sufficient handover with the previous intern so I knew exactly what to do in my role.

The Walt Disney Company gave me lots of opportunities to further my personal development. Lots of projects I could organise as I wished so I had lots of control and could develop my skilled. I also got the opportunity to attend training sessions for various programmes that the company thought would benefit me in final year such as in design. I was also allowed to experience lots of different areas of the business so I would be more knowledgeable and would have experience in lots of different fields.

Lots of interns return to The Walt Disney company as employees. The company relies on their interns so much that they develop a bond and lots return when there are permanent positions available. This is extremely appealing. I also know that if I do not get a job in this company, having Disney on my CV will benefit me hugely for future job prospects. However I would definitely love to return here.

As a group of interns, we were so close. We were all together on the interview day, where they make you do group tasks so we bonded straight away over these. We have continued this friendship all the way through our placement by going to lunch together everyday and going for drinks after work. We were all very sad when one of us had to leave. Some interns even live with each other they are that close!

London is obviously very expensive so the cost of living is bound to be high. Drinks and socialising can also be expensive but it doesn't need to be as you don't always need to spend lots of money to socialise. We would sit outside on hot days with our own food and it wouldn't cost us a penny but we were still socialising. I think you have to expect to pay more living in the city. Luckily for me I live close by so I could commute to placement. My train was expensive but this is also to be expensive. There is also so much to do in London so it makes it worth it working here.

The nightlife is good around Hammersmith because there are lots of unique bars and restaurants. However, obviously in London the transport links are so good so getting into the city is quick and easy so the options are endless. People also go out a lot after work so there is always people to socialise with, where ever you decide to go.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in outside of work. I know there is a football team, a choir and a triathlon team. We also did a work rounders match and great British bake off! There is also a team of employees performing in Pride. You also have the option to go to showcases outside of work such as a Star Wars conference day where you can volunteer. There are also lots of charities you can get involved in. We also went to numerous film screenings outside of work as well as a employee forum at the apollo.