Process Analyst Review

I was able to get an insight into the techinical engineering industry, being an aspiring Mechanical Engineer, but also the proffessional world of work; involving vital commercial roles. I would have liked an entire year to get to know the company in more depth as there is tonnes to learn.

My colleagues are extremely friendly and treat me as their equal. I have been on team away days, out for lunches and dinners as well as on-site trips with them and getting to know them all has been amazing, despite the age difference.

My team in particular were new to taking on trainee's so there is room for improvement, in terms of how much support on a weekly or monthly basis they could have given. However, they aways made it known to me that I could ask them whatever and whenever and helped me secure placements throughout the company to get a broader understanding.

When deadlines were coming up for some of my projects which needed presenting to management, work became most demanding. However, generally I never really felt over worked, I was just content with the amount I was given and paced myself through it accordingly.

I headed an £100,000 saving project for my team, which at first was dauntinh, but I always had the support of my team and other colleagues and managed to complete the tasks successfully.

I was pleased to develop an understanding of commercial elements to a business as I will be doing a combined course of engineering and business finance and I previously didn't have much appreciation for the business element of the course. Although I have learnt a fair bit about engineering for gas transmission, it has been very specific and so has not entirely supported my degree studies. Moreover, it has confirmed my desire to study engineering and broadened my interests. Alongside this I have also developed important learning qualities such as prioritisation, planning, time keeping which I know will be key to my degree success.

The employee's here are extremely vibrant; everybody interacts with one another, celebrating birthdays, wishing people happy retirements etc so even an entire day in the office can be interesting liaising with colleagues and learning from their life experiences.

As I say, a placement in this section of the business is within it's initial stages and so there will be room for improvement. Overall, I felt comfortable on a daily basis and included within the overall running of the business. I was invited to a company introduction, given a team introduction and introduced to different teams throughout my placement which helped me settle along the way.

The introduction gave me an insight intp what the company are about, their challenges and their vision. The introduction course was very interactive and allowed me to learn whilst networking with other new members. I also attended a management course which taught me key office skills such as time management, organisation and presenting skills. In the near future I should also be going on an IT course to learn about key software used within National Grid.

The company has just undergone a restructure and so the ability to be on the spoonsorship programme has been delayed for the time being. However having had an opportunity to learn about various aspects of the business, I will be keen to apply here as a graduate once these schemes become more available.

I met some ETP students during the first week of my placement and we have kept in contact, gone out together and supported each other throughout our placements. Also getting involved with Newnet events helps you to develop relationships with people in the same position as you, so you will surely meet people on the placement.

Coming from London I did hope that it would be a lot cheaper leaving outside of London, although Leamington Spa is a 'royal' town and is not as cheap as anticipated. Nevertheless, it has been manageable on the salary to live comfortably and enjoy nights and evenings out.

The night life pretty good in Leamington and there are lots of things to do and see with friends. Being close to two universities and the company having taken on a fair amount of undergraduates and graduates, it has been easy to meet people and develop relationships.

Yes! At the beginning I was not too sure about what to do. However, the companies new employee's group called Newnet gets you involved in lots of activities outside your day job which allows you to meet new friends, volunteer and learn about different aspects of the business.