Summer Intern Review

I really enjoyed my 12 weeks spent with Unilever! It was such a unique experience to have the opportunity to undertake an internship with one of the largest and well known companies in the world and it certainly did not disappoint! It was a fantastic learning experience and it was a privilege to meet the people that I did.

I was made to feel extremely well valued by my colleagues at Unilever. From my first day, everyone was extremely welcoming and my team had prepared a work station for me, immediately making me feel like a valued member of the team. Throughout my time at Unilever, they went out of their way to get to know me.

Throughout my time spent at the company, I found my colleagues to be extremely supportive. My line manager ensured that we had a weekly one to one meeting, where I could express any concerns or ask questions. I found my wider team to also be very support and they provided me with invaluable career guidance and advice.

This varied somewhat throughout the internship, however I was fairly busy most days. At the beginning of the internship, I was less busy as I was still settling in and getting to know the role and the various systems. However, as I become more confident in my role, I was given more responsibility and therefore was more bust on a daily basis.

I was given a good level of responsibility considering I was only at the company for 12 weeks. As I became more confident and I was able to demonstrate my ability, I was given an increasingly level of responsibility. Towards the end of the internship, my line manager assigned me a project which I had full control over.

Undoubtedly, I will use the skills and knowledge that I developed on the internship within my degree studies and beyond that. In particular, I have have developed invaluable knowledge of the FMCG sector and I have greatly improved my communication and networking skills. Such skills will better prepare me as I enter the working work in the future.

There was a fantastic general atmosphere in the office. Whilst everyone is extremely driven and dedicated to their roles, Unilever has a fairly relaxed working style so it is easy to approach colleagues for a quick chat. My team was also sociable so we would often go for lunch together or have drinks afterwork.

This internship was very well organised, apart from the occasion IT glitch when we first joined, which was to be expected! We were all assigned a buddy, a supervisor and a contact manager, who we could approach in different circumstances. Furthermore, throughout the internship, we had various talks and sessions organised for us to improve our skills and knowledge.

It was clear to see just how much Unilever invested in our personal development and training. Our first several days at Unilever consisted of training and induction sessions, which I found really beneficial. Throughout the internship, we had numerous talks and presentations aimed at our personal development. Again, I found these sessions very beneficial.

I believe that future employment prospects at Unilever are very appealing! Following my performance on the summer internship, I was invited to an assessment centre, after which I was offered a place on the graduate scheme. I am beyond excited to begin my career at Unilever and I believe it is a great organisation to begin my career!

There was a really good social scene amongst both the interns and my fellow colleagues in my team. The interns bonded quickly and we would have lunch together most days. We would also socialise together afterwork occasionally. Furthermore, my team was very social and I went for dinner and drinks with them on several occasions.

I was based in Leatherhead, Surrey, which is just outside of London, so the cost of living was relatively high. However, I was paid a generous salary, so I was always able to do everything I wanted to in terms of socialising with friends. My main expenses were rent and travel, however.

There is not much around Leatherhead, however, it was very easy to get into London, where the nightlife is great!

Yes, there are plenty of opportunities for staff, including a free gym, sport teams, fitness classes and volunteering opportunities.