Sales and Marketing Assistant Review

My placement year at ProspectSoft was easily the most enjoyable and fulfilling year of my academic/work career yet. No two days were the same, the tasks were challenging and exciting and the people were just fantastic.

From the beginning of placement more than adequate time at focus was invested in myself and fellow placements. Training was intense and extensive, covering a wide range of aspects from industry and market movements, to sales and marketing theory and internal processes. Hard work was acknowledged and praised and a real effort to make me feel part of the family was evident.

My manager(s) were simply fantastic. My line manager changed during my placement and the effort to continue my development and work with other managers was smooth and successful. Whatever department you were in, you were sure to find other managers and directors who were enthusiastic and willing to give up their departmental time to help other areas of the business.

Very busy, but I'm not complaining! There were always different projects and tasks to be focusing on. Self management was key, but other staff, managers and directors were fantastic to guide and encourage placements on whatever tasks they had to manage.

A whole load of it! About two months in to my placement I was running my own marketing projects, managing my own timescales, work loads and having the opportunity to utilise my own interests and skill sets. I was fortunate enough to have a manager and director that recognised my key skill set, and allowed me to bring my own ideas to the table. Throughout each project; which included designing marketing material from flyers to an advent calendar, to designing and implementing an entire website, I was given the creative space and freedom to try different things whilst supported and encouraged from both management and other staff.

I came out of placement a year older and about 4 years wiser. My communication skills, design skills, marketing knowledge, sales skills and general organisation has improved so much that it's not only re-enthused my love and motivation to succeed in marketing at university, but enriched my personal life, helping me succeed in running my own club night, meeting new people and generally having established some key goals and career plans. I wouldn't be the same person if I had not completed placement at ProspectSoft.

No matter what we were doing, there was always a little time to blow off some steam and relax. The culture in the office was great and there was always a little banter to brighten up the day. People motivated each other and praise for a job well done was never withheld. I really will miss those days in the office!

Training was extensive and well planned for the first month or so. We received an unparalleled insight into everything ProspectSoft, from our partner channels, to the software to actual sales skills. Once working, we had key tasks and projects to be working on, in which our line manager and director would support and guide us, as well as getting stuck in to show us how it was done.

Great! ProspectSoft has a program in place called "placement academies". This is a program designed to help placements track their own progress and development in key areas and competencies such as internal processes, sales skills, promoting the company, solving difficult problems etc. What i liked about this program was that once it was explained to us it was up to us to make the most of it. No hand holding was given here, and the various competencies for which we had to justify through examples of our work really made you focus on the different tasks and projects you could pick to get involved in.

I was offered a job with the company towards the end of my placement and jumped at the chance to go back. The people there are brilliant to work with and given that a majority of the staff their were placements it goes to show how supportive and fun the working environment is. I thoroughly look forward to returning next year.

We regularly went out in Oxford and London for big nights as well as just generally hanging out with staff after work. Friday pub visits were regular as was the opportunity to get involved with sports, gym and court sessions and the odd xbox night in!

Not too bad considering it was Oxford. I broke even for the year which might not sound great to some, but considering I was loading my petrol tank with most of my wages to get to Nottingham to see family most weekends I was pretty happy with the living costs. we didnt live too far from work either, so lift sharing and short drives kept the pennies down.

Oxford is amazing for going out and London isn't too far on the coach!

Yes, lots of team sports such as Football as well as going to the local sports centre for badminton, squash.