Nuclear Science and Engineering Industrial Placement Review

I have really enjoyed my placement with EDF at Sizewell B. The Design Engineering department gives their placement student plenty of opportunity to learn and get involved in various projects, training and development. Everyone is welcoming and happy to help new starters. There's a range of projects to get involved with (depending on your interests) and opportunity to work with a variety of people/departments with a vast amount of experience.

My colleagues were very supportive and happy to help with anything I was struggling with. They didn't make me feel like I was asking too many questions (even though I probably was!). The same is across different departments, people will willingly help with any problems/questions you have, even if you're a new face. Most importantly, you don't feel like a placement student but a graduate engineer.

I was given a "formal" mentor (an engineer in the department) who helped me settle in and taught me the basics, but everyone in the department helped me at some point or another. I had monthly accountability meetings with my line manager to make sure I was on-track with my targets. Work was readily available when I asked for more and I didn't feel overwhelmed.

As all placements will find, I wasn't very busy for the first few weeks but I was getting to grips with the plant/processes etc. There was plenty of reading material to keep busy with the first few weeks and then work slowly started to build up and I was given more responsibilities at a pace which suited me.

I was given a level of responsibility which suited me. I represented the department at meetings and was given projects to work on with a more senior (responsible) engineer to assist and advise. There are a few tasks which is the sole responsibility of the design engineering placement student so it's quite rewarding when people across the station ask for your help or advice!

I studied Chemical Engineering at university, which is quite process based, but this placement really focussed on components so provided a great learning opportunity. It's also been great to see how studying engineering will take you . I didn't use much of my degree but used/developed the skills I learnt from my degree such as time management, teamwork and problem solving.

The atmosphere was great, we'd often discuss each other's work/any problems we had and come up with solutions. I'd say there was a good balance between working and having general conversation. The Design Engineering team all sit together in an office (around 10 people); the line manager sits next door and he always has an open door so you can easily get help.

The on-boarding process took a while, but it's expected for a nuclear power station! I think the HR team could have probably done a better job by putting all the placement students in contact with each other before the placements started, but we all met eventually. The department organised my first day very well - I quickly had all the necessary training, computer access and a locker.

I had so many opportunities to do a lot of different training which helped me with my role - it was clear the department cared about my development. We also did continuous training every few months as a refresher. My department were very flexible and allowed me to spend time in different departments such as Maintenance and Operations.

EDF fast track their industrial placements through to the grad scheme interviews so you don't have to re-do psychometric tests etc. The impression given is that they'd like to retain their placement students as long as they perform well, so prospects look good! You also meet a lot of people around station who have gone through their early careers programs such as apprentices, industrial placements and graduates - there's a strong sense of people retention.

Sizewell currently only have 3 industrial placement students but there's also a lot of apprentices and graduates. I sit with a group of graduate engineers at lunchtime and we frequently do things outside of work on the weekends. There's opportunity to meet new people as long as you put yourself out there.

I live in Leiston (close to station) which is quite expensive but I save on travel costs. I know people who live in Ipswich, Lowestoft, Woodbridge and Norwich. The general consensus is the further out you live, you'll probably get more for your money but then there's the added fuel cost and travel time. You definitely need a car to live around here, unless you have friends who can give lifts.

Locally there's only pubs and social clubs. If you want a night out, the best bet is going to Ipswich and Norwich, which are both around an hour train journey away. You have to keep in mind that trains only run between around 7am and 10pm - I've tended to stay with friends who live in the city.

I formed a strong group of friends so we went out and did a lot of things outside work. Suffolk has really nice seaside towns like Southwold and Aldeburgh and there's lots of nice pubs in Woodbridge and Beccles. There's also a local gym and sports teams to get involved in.