Nuclear Science and Engineering Placement Review

My placement gave me a great opportunity to get out on a nuclear plant and experience what it is like to work on one. Everyone I worked with or approached was extremely helpful and helped me settle in very quickly. I made some good friends that I socialised with in and out of work which also made me enjoy my placement more.

My colleagues were very helpful with all of my questions and placed their trust in me for any jobs they gave me. When I moved from my first department the delivery lead and the project manager both asked me if I would still work on their project and help out a couple of days a week which made me feel very valued.

My supervisor supported me by giving me numerous opportunities and projects to work on and assisting me with my university commitments. I also had regular conversations with my line manager who would offer guidance on the larger projects I was working on and send me in the direction of other people who he believed would be able to help me with more technical queries.

Most of the time I would be occupied with a project and that would take up most of my time, if I ever felt I had nothing on I could simply ask my manager for more work. The few times I had absolutely nothing to do I would locate the plant systems operating manuals and read through these as they were informative and also interesting.

To begin with I was just doing simple tasks and projects that had no responsibility however this is just because a nuclear power plant is not a place where an inexperienced person can take on large responsibility jobs. As time went on however, I was given more important jobs and became responsible for high priority reports and projects that were sometimes used in presentations to senior members of the plant.

Although the technical skills I developed and training courses I did were not necessarily directly linked to my course, there were plenty of transferable skills I improved on. Time management, presentation and report writing skills were all directly applicable to university. The communication skills I gained were invaluable for my design project at university and my networking at EDF would assist me beyond my studies greatly.

Very friendly and laid back, however the atmosphere was very professional. Occasionally we would joke around which helped to keep the day interesting and not boring at all.

I received my unescorted access pass and my PPE on my first day. Within my first week I had aces to any systems I would need and any training required had been booked. I knew straight away the company layout and the organogram for my department helped me to see how everyone was organised and their responsibilities. My university work was also very organised and they helped me sort it out very quickly. My whole year was well structured letting me get exposure throughout the company.

I was given lots of opportunity for training and secondments into other departments which helped my personal development a lot however I would have liked the opportunity to visit other power plants around the country for more experience. The training that was on offer however was very useful for further progression in the company.

The graduate programme on offer is very appealing at this gives the chance to experience numerous power stations and departments so they can find a job that is tailor made for you. Also there is a great chance for progression through the company with graduates often quickly moving up through the company to higher responsibility positions. The training on offer is also very good.

Yes I played football weekly with other colleagues similar age to me and would often go to the pub with my fellow placement students and colleagues. I was invited round to friends houses for BBQ's and other social events very often and the canteen at work was a good social place at break times.

Cost of living was relatively high and socialising was expensive for nights out in nearby cities. Plenty of cheaper supermarkets around though for food.

In the area I worked there was no night-life, however most people lived in the towns and cities away from work and there were good nightclubs and bars there. There were great transport links to London and other bigger cities with universities and therefore a better night life wasn't far away if needed.

Yes plenty of volunteering opportunities and sports activities outside of work.