Commercial intern Review

It was a fantastic place to work - the people at Nestlé are well known for being friendly and your success is very much dependent on the relationships you have with your colleagues and wider team. My projects were fascinating and I learnt so much (I knew little about sales before I got there). I guess the only thing I didn't enjoy was the initial work on data processing, but after the first couple of weeks it transforms from just data to interesting work - especially when you start sharing it with people and getting their feedback.

Absolutely. The work I did was always acknowledged and I wasn't treated like a temp student! Everyone knows that the ultimate aim is to recruit bright young people into the business, so I got a lot of support and encouragement. When I left they got me a leaving present (although that shouldn't be the basis on which to apply!) and got invited back for their annual conference.

For day-to-day support I had my line manager, who could answer any of my questions and act as a sounding board for any of my ideas. He often directed me to members of his team, if they were experts in the area I wanted to know about. Above and beyond that, I got alot of exposure to senior management. I had a senior manager as a mentor, who I could talk in confidence about what I was enjoying and what I was finding challenging. I also had support from my HR manager, who regularly caught up with me to check everything was ok and answer any questions I had on a career at Nestlé. For my project, I presented to several senior managers - including the sales director and managing director of my business unit, which meant I got guidance on my project from all levels.

Work load really varied throughout my 10 weeks. At the start, it was difficult to get going when you're still learning and getting to understand the material. But once you start getting into the data the workload picks up. Then there was a lull, while you are getting feedback on what you've found in the data. Finally, there's a very busy period - while you're writing and finalising your presentation!

You're given 100% responsibility for your project. You are autonomous to a certain extent and what you put in is definitely what you get out. However, they don't give you a piece of the business to operate - so from that point of view it's not too much responsibility! The company won't lose millions if you mess up your project. However, if you do a good job, you can influence change in the organisation and consequently save/generate millions from the new insight you provide.

I wish I had done the internship earlier in my degree! It gave me such insight into how businesses are run, it helped me understand my course material. On top of that, I developed skills that got me to a fast start to my third year: presentation skills and analytical skills (for my dissertation). The experience also meant I got offered a conditional graduate job from my success on the internship, so I didn't need to worry about applying to jobs during my final exams.

It was a fun atmosphere, full of banter - which I've discovered sales team always are! They really embraced me into the team, but at times it was difficult being the youngest and not knowing them as well as they know each other. However, over the 10 weeks I relaxed more around them and enjoyed myself a lot more.

The scheme was very well organised. My year was the first time they'd ever run a scheme and I have to say I was very impressed. Right from the application through to the final celebratory night out - it was well communicated and your line manager is always there to help.

All the interns went through a presentation skills workshop halfway through the placement - prior to the final project presentations. I also received training on the data systems I needed to use. From a personal development point of view, we got the chance to talk through our expectations of the placement at the start and assess them at the mid-way point as a group. We also each had a development review at the end of the placement with your line manager to discuss your strengths and your development areas to focus on in the future.

They were really consistent in saying that there is no competition for places. If you are good enough, you'll get offered a job. That can range from being offered a place on the graduate scheme to being offered a specific role in the organisation.

There were 5 interns based in the Croydon office - so we always met up for coffee, lunch and/or drinks after work. We tended to be out quite alot as we tagged along with each other's teams! Also, there's an 'All Bar One' right outside the office, so even if it was just for one - there was always a chance to catch up with each other and have a laugh over our different experiences.

Croydon wasn't exactly cheap, but not quite as expensive as the city. So it didn't break the bank (I was used to living in central London from uni)

Croydon was ok... more for drinks after work in All Bar One. If anyone wanted to carry on, we went into central London as the office is right next to East Croydon train station and there's regular trains to Clapham and Victoria.

There was a gym in the building with exercise classes. Other than that, there were a couple of intern nights out the HR team organised.