BIW Planning Intern Review

The work was very enjoyable and I felt I had the right knowledge from my degree course to complete the tasks set and contribute to projects as well as broaden and build on my knowledge and understanding. I didn't always have work to do and there was a lot of sitting around with nothing to do but I have heard that this is often the case with placements. However, although I didn't feel like I was doing much, on reflection, I have learnt a great deal.

My colleagues werre very friendly and welcoming and it was an easy department to get on with. If I had any probelms or questions I could easily ask any of them and they were more than happy to help. The work I did for various colleagues did feel valued and I did feel appreciated as an intern.

My manager was very approachable and if I had any problems he always helped me. He always tried to find tasks for me to do and projects I could get involved with despite the unpredictable nature of the department work. It would have been nice to have had regular reviews and meetings to discuss my progress.

When I had a project or task to work on my workload was good but I didn't have any daily jobs or tasks so I was often sitting around with nothing to do but this was partly due to the nature of the department and suitable projects not coming up. It would have been nicer to have been a bit busier.

I wasn't given a lot of responsibility although I did manage a small project and it was good for me to be able to get on with that on my own and try and work independently but I knew I had support if I needed it. My tasks were often little jobs to support colleagues rather then anything big so I wasn't able to challenege myself with a bit more responsibility. However this did mean that my placement was not stressful at all.

Many of the skills and knowledge I have gained from my placement will be extrememly useful in my future studies and I have developed and built upon skills and knowledge which I have learnt the basics from at university in previous years. Also, I enjoyed being able to apply skills and knowledge I had learnt at uni to practical applications. Being exposed to new and upcoming technologies was also a benefit that will aid my future studies and career.

The general atmosphere was very friendly and relaxed - my colleagues all got on well together and frequently joked about with each other and teased each other in a friendly way. There were no tensions and the environment did not feel stressful.

Overall the internship was not that well organised, partly due to a change in manager at the start of my internship, and there wasn't really a plan set out for my time with the company. However, my new manager ensured I learnt more about the company by completing different placements within the area I was working and got me involved in suitable projects.

I only went on one formal training session for a CAD software but I was provided with online tutorials to use some software which I enjoyed working through on my own. There was no training for my personal development or soft skills.

There are plenty of employment prospects within the company and opportunities to progress with your career and also vary your career as well as several graduate schemes. The company is very appealing to work for and an extremely good place to start a career, and there are several national and international opportunities available with this global company.

There was a good social scene with fellow placement students - Thursday night was social night where interns would meet up in the chosen pub and there were also other day trips and weekend trips arranged. There were opportunities to socialise with colleagues, for example the Christmas dinner, and Thursday lunchtime was always curry day where most employees went and had lunch together in the canteen.

I personally didn't live or socialise in the area as I commuted from home. However, the cost of living in the area was one of the most expensive in the country and part of the reason why I decided to live at home for my placement year. There are plenty of interns and students in the area so finding similar young people to live with wouldn't be difficult.

I never experience the night life as I didn't live in the area. There are plenty of pubs and bars around in the city centre though.

There were several opportunites to get involved with social trips with other emplyees and the intern trips. There was also the opportunity to get involved with the annual Family Day as a volunteer, and there were other intern trips to the other British B