Merchandising and Buying Placement Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement year at TJX Europe. You are given a lot of responsibility to drive you own ideas and results within a supportive and open environment. TJX's open door policy makes you feel comfortable: it encourages you to develop relationships with people at all levels within different functions of the business.

I felt very valued by my collegues. My immediate team expected me to contribute in meetings, give presentations and feedback on product and trends.

I was given a lot of support from my line manager throughout the placement. We had regular one to one chats (approx. every two weeks) to discuss my self development and any concerns or questions I had.

I was very busy most days of my placement, sometimes I struggled to get every task done. However, I enjoyed being kept busy and if you do get a free moment you're encouraged to use your own initiative to do that bit extra. It is entirely driven by you. And if I ever felt overwhelmed my colleagues were extremely willing to help in any way they could.

I was given a lot of responsibility during my placement; you're expected to work at the same level as the graduates. You're expected to contribute to shipping strategies, in weekly meetings and to analyse trends to report back to your team. You are given the entire responsibility of choosing what products go to what stores.

The skills I feel I feel I have developed the most are my analysis, interpersonal, social networking and communication skills. After giving multiple presentations, my verbal communication has improved and will help me in further lectures/presentations I am expected to give in my final year of university. Studying Geography, the development of my data analysis and excel skills this year will be extremely helpful when it comes to collecting my own data and presenting it for modules or assignments.

The atmosphere at TJX Europe is relaxed, fun and business driven.

The training programme was great: it consisted of three months class room-based training which enables you to transition into the role easily coming straight from university. However, the structure of Merchandising time to Buying time during my placement significantly changed. The project I was assigned was not very well organised.

I was expected to drive my own development with the help of feedback from my line manager and my self development goals. TJX has a very progressive culture, which encourages you to grown and develop as much as you can whilst you are working there.

The future employment prospects are very appealing. Given you perform well during the placement, you are invited back after you graduate on a 'Senior Analyst' salary (one level above the average graduate starting at TJX).

The social scene felt really present amongst my intake. You start at the same time as 40 other graduates- all of which take the same three month training as you. During this time you often go to the pub on Fridays, go out at the weekends and are encouraged to socialise by the company. A lot of my colleagues live together too.

The cost of living is not as much as London, however it is not cheap. There are a number of restaurants, super markets and gyms nearby the office which are within a reasonable price range.

The Nightlife in Watford itself is not the best. However, it is only a short 15 minute train into London from Watford, which offers a huge amount of nightlife. From bars to clubs, disco to jazz, London has a really good nightlife scene.

I went on a number of socials with my team- we had nights out together, went for meals and engaged in other activities. However, I don't think this is as common in other teams across the business.