Research and Development Review

I have really enjoyed my time at Caterpillar. I have learned a lot and really enjoyed, and benefited from moving departments. It has been a great experience. I got to take part in a good range of work, which has really helped me to consider what I would like to do in the long term.

I have felt highly valued. I have made mistakes, as would be expected by a new starter, but I was told that it we can learn from this and overcome it, but it is an important project nonetheless. I have produced work that people have praised me on, and has been of use to the company.

I have a number of contacts who are easy to approach and speak to should I be after advise for my work, my thoughts on my future education and career. The support I have been given has been excellent, and has taught me a lot, which has benefited both me and the company.

Starting the new job I wasn't busy all too often, but as my knowledge built, I have recently been very busy. Should I become too busy, I regularly have meetings with my manager, where my workload is discussed, and we can discuss weather my workload is too high, or too low.

I feel the amount of responsibility I have been given has been fair. Most projects will run past my time in the job role, so I can't be given too much, as this will have to be passed on, however the responsibility I have been given has taught me a great deal.

I hope that this placement will allow me to be able to realise the application of my study better, which should allow me to understand better the reasoning behind the learning. As a result of very interesting discussions with colleagues, this effected my module choices to something that should benefit me more in the long run.

The working atmosphere across the whole site is excellent. The working environment is fairly relaxed, and friendly, which is excellent for placement students, as people are very approachable should questions need to be asked. There is not excessive noise, so staff can still concentrate, but a nice relaxed atmosphere which is a great balance.

I think this placement was organised well on the whole. We have 2, 6 month rotations, and it the first rotations were well assigned, and suited people well, and the choices we got to choose our second rotations were excellent, and very well sorted. The way we are managed between placement manager, and department manager works very well.

There were a lot of opportunities to improve our knowledge, and excellent training courses. I have a much better knowledge of the industry, and we had regular opportunities to go and see our machines, and competitor machines at agricultural and heavy plant shows, which allows us a better insight into the industry.

Excellent. I can see myself going back and working for the company again. The grad scheme that is offered is an excellent opportunity to further the knowledge that I have built in this placement year. It is also in a good location for me, which helps in my considerations for returning.

Between all other placements, there is a good social group. There are many sports clubs that are predominantly Caterpillar employees. There are periodic talks setup by the IMechE which are advertised at work, and are also mainly Caterpillar employees. There is a friendly atmosphere at work, between all staff members.

Cost of living in Peterborough is low, but it is not a city with a university, so there are not so many typical student social places to go. Rent was surprisingly low, and it was reasonably easy to find accommodation in Peterborough with other placement students, which a real positive.

Peterborough is no a city with a University, so nightlife is not as many students would have experienced before. It is sufficient for the occasion night out, and whilst working is not something that people want to do every weekend. There are plenty of pubs, but nightlife is fairly low.

Opportunities outside of work are possible, but not endless. There are occasional talks from the IMechE in the area, but most of he opportunities are for sports clubs, of which there are a good variety, and many Caterpillar staff take part in. Work hours are flexible, which certainly lends itself to activities outside of working hours.