Placement Trainee Review

There were aspects of the placement that I found enjoyable such as learning how to use new software that I hadn't used before and learning more about the process of becoming professionally accredited. However a large part of the internship was purely administrative and I did not feel like I was able to make the most out of the learning opportunity. However I understand that work isn't always meant to be the most "exciting" place to be in reality.

Most members of staff were lovely, understandably they didn't entrust me with certain tasks due to my lack of experience, however they tried really hard to make sure I was given every opportunity possible considering my lack of experience. I felt like the team made an effort to get to know me and my interests and make me feel comfortable working with them. I feel like that with more time I would have been able to make really meaningful friendships in the workplace.

I was given a lot of administrative tasks for the majority of my time and these tasks were very simple and needed very little explaining. Therefore support and guidance regarding my workload was not necessary. With regards to my general wellbeing my supervisor was really nice and made sure that I was comfortable and was incorporated well into the team. With regards to supporting my learning and development whilst on the scheme I felt let down.

A deadline would loom and I would be really busy. Then there would be a dry spell and I'd have to busy myself somehow as the office could be quiet or I was not qualified enough for certain tasks. How busy I was from day to day varied greatly, but that is the nature of the industry and not a reflection of the management or structure of my internship.

I was given a lot of administrative tasks and after some time as my supervisors trusted me more and more I was able to communicate with clients and arrange documents unassisted. I felt like I was given some real responsibility and that this has been great for my future career development and self confidence.

I worked with different personality types and clients in the field and learned simple things like how to sent professional emails but these are most certainly skills for life that are imperative for my future career development, The training that I received has opened my eyes up to what the future holds and incited me to do more research in my own time in a more guided way so that after graduation I am already a step ahead.

The office was polite with cakes on someone's birthday and cards when people were leaving. But at the same time everyone was very professional. The office was very quiet most of the time. The atmosphere was in a simple phrase "formal office". I didn't get the idea that people in the office ever met up outside of work of their own accord on the weekend as such.

The right intentions were there most certainly. But as my placement was so short and the nature of the industry things didn't quite go to plan. However the best was made of a poor situation. I think that the placement was set up very well in hindsight and I am happy with this. I was given really good information about my placement before it started and an induction day and my line manager contacted me personally before my placement began.

I attended two training days and these were very enlightening. The training days were days that all staff at the office attend. I was given the same training as if I were a permanent member of the team and that was great. The company did most certainly invest in me and my personal training and development.

I don't know. My line manager says that he doesn't think I have been given an "opportunity to shine" due to the nature of the work that was available to me. However I was given a lot of positive feedback on my work ethic and enthusiasm. There is the possibility of joining the graduate scheme however.

It was poor. We arranged things but half of the people were too busy or just didn't show up. We did try on Facebook etc but it rarely if ever worked. However in such a short period of time that is to be expected. However we were in social media groups together and stayed in touch. And we made an effort (to varying degrees of success).

Very expensive but that is to be expected as we are in the middle of London. The cost of socializing is part of the reason I did so little of it. As a placement trainee at university I cannot afford £8 for a pint! I guess we could travel out of central London and the city to get things a bit cheaper but travelling after a long day of work is no fun.

I don't know because I didn't go out. Things are simply too expensive in the area. Bars charging £7 for a single shot do not making going out an option if you are a student living off of a student loan and a summer internship wages.

We have social events arranged and volunteering days where we can take a day of paid leave to volunteer somewhere in the local community for charities or some other good cause. There are quarterly drinks arranged and a Christmas work party I think too. I would say that there are a decent number of opportunities for staff to socialize outside of work.