Leathershop Production Intern Review

Really enjoyed my time here, challenging however I was provided the support I required in order to succeed.

There were some moments that I felt I was marginalised as being "Just an intern" however this was rare and in many cases solved with a chat with the collegue in question.

Plenty of support from any collegue I asked, Managers are understandably busy so any questions I had could not always be answered immediately. If time was booed with a Manger then this was respected.

This varied a great deal throughout the year however I was free to delegate my time as I wished (within reason) and I was never pressured to stay on beyond my hours or to come in on days I did not have to work. When asked about reports I was always given the chance to specify when I would be ready, and so there was not a time when I felt I had been unfairly given too short of a deadline or too much work. Most of the time when I was very busy was due to my own choice, trying to do as much as I could in the year that I had.

Initially I was given little however as the trust between my Manager and I grew I took on more and more responsibility, including project steering and developing & implementing a brand new process from scratch that is production critical.

The experience that I gained and the skills that I have developed ahere are inavaluable, I have been involved in lots of different projects that involve a large variety of skills including data analysis, communication, team working, time management and many more that are essential in this industry. Due to the smaller size of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars I was able to see a lot more of the business thant I otherwise might of been able to, which was a fantastic experince and one that I value highly.

I did not work in an office, instead working at a desk near production with only three others so there was a different atmosphere to perhaps an office away from production. Being close to porduction however was a good opportunity, as any changes I made that could acffect productiuon I could walk five yards away from my desk and talk to the very people who would be affected. As we have such a bespoke and highly involved manufacturing process constant communication with the employees was essential.

There was an initial problem of a lost-in-the-post contract when I arrived, however this is as much my doing as theirs. My first two weeks were well thought out, adn I recieved regular project letters in order to steer my internship. My Manager and I had a more of a hands off approach, so most of the organisation on a day to day basis was done by me. I ahd no daily or weekly taskes so I could focus on wider investigaitons.

As I was only staying for a year there was not the budget for me to go on lots of different training courses, so most of the training I recieved was on a one to one basis, where osmeone explained a process to me as they understood it. This was not a structured training session and was instead what I required training in, it would be provided by the person who knows the process best. On a personal level I had a lot of free reign, as long as I produced results in accordance with my project letters. This let me take on addition roles, and to get involved in different projects that were going on during my time here.

Very appealing, I would love to start my carrer with this company. The cuture is exactly what I had hoped, everyone is very friendly and there is plenty opportunity to develop professionally. The building and atmosphere are very plesent to be in and work in, and there is not a strict hierarchy (Everyone, even the CEO, is on first name basis)

We took over biweekly meetings from the previous set of inters which allowed us to keep in constant communication with one another. Any important information from HR was filtered through in this way, and it allowed us to get to know the interns in other departments. In addition to important work matters, nights out could be discussed here. Most weekends there was something to do with the other interns, and a lot of one off events were organised. In addition to outside of work, we always had time for one another in work for example eating lunch or getting a coffee together.

It being the south coast was expensive, however with good budgeting I did not find myself short of money. Chichester is an expensive city however you quickly work out where is best to go, and can organise events around this. It is free to walk to the park and sit in the sun for an afternoon, so you ajust how you socilaise based on your budget.

There is a University in the city however due to historic laws around the cathedreal, which sits in the heart of the city, not many places can be open beyond 11pm. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants however, the only downside being the price. Chichester is in an affluent area so the prices reflect this. With both Portsmouth and Brighton being a train away however the area is not short of cheaper and more lively places to enjoy an evening.

The company provided me with some opportunities to visit other manufacturing plants within the BMW group, and I organised a visit myself to a leather specialist University. There was also a employee day organsied by the company whaich was good fun, and shoewed the company in a different light. In terms of social activities almost every weekend there was a group of collegues at the pub, or one could be organised at short notice. The interns themselves where very good at organising different activities, including go carting, paintball, trips to winter markets and even a trip to Rome.