Launch Change Coordination Review

I enjoyed having a placement year and would recommend it to any student: it is a good opportunity to dip your toe into a real working environment for a substantial amount of time and learn how a company functions. It is refreshing to see what it's like to live in a different city and explore the surrounding area whilst meeting new people and discovering what you want from the future and what kind of industry you want to go into. Once, around every other month, there was an interesting day; opportunities to leave the plant and go to test tracks, exhibitions, suppliers, other plants and so on. These out-of-the-ordinary days improved the working conditions massively. However, the day to day work was extremely unpleasant and dull and has destroyed most of my motivation and drive. I was a first class student who always put maximum effort into all my work, but from this year out my passion for 100% has decreased.

Placement students are definitely viewed as the least valuable employees in the work hierarchy. There is a clear divide between how the managers regard the apprentices compared to placement students; from the moment we started it was clear that as we are here for only a year training or guidance would be a waste of resources. I felt we were left with the tasks nobody else wanted to do and the role was very different from the original job description. I am happy to help others if they require, but not if there is no mutual respect. On a couple of occasions for example rubbish had been left on my desk from other colleagues, as if they just assume I would clear up their mess. I study to be an engineer at university and to put what I have learnt so far into practise, not to become a puppet for people to use as a secretary or their cleaner when it pleases them. I also felt occasionally I was used as a scape goat. When they were meant to do a task a certain way or to a certain deadline it would apparently be my fault for one reason or another for not getting the message across. However, at social occassions I did get along with the majority of my team mates, they were caring and made me laugh. I just don't enjoy working amongst them.

My supervisor was extremely hard to get hold of - even to get one signature for my university quarterly reports could take up to a month. Although one-on-one he was a friendly and amicable man, I did not feel I could approach him if I had a question or needed guidance. The few times I did receive information from him it was always very unclear what he actually expected from me; this may be due to a language barrier or a difference in understanding, but nonetheless it made support extremely difficult.

I would have two tasks to complete every other week, each lasting about one or two hours. Aside from this I felt I was completely useless to the company and I was wasting a year of my education. Throughout the first semester I repeatedly requested additional work or responsibility but was ignored. Eventually I was put in contact with another department who had heard of students in my position before so took pity and tried to create a project for me. This occupied me for about a month, however my manager would criticise me for not finding the project myself - he expected me as a placement student to go to a different department and request I take part in a project that didn't even exist at the time independently and questioned my motivational drive.

The one task I did have was apparently a critical part of the manufacturing process. I had the potential to stop the production line if the work sent was not to good standard. Aside from this fortnightly job I had little to none responsibility; I could skip meetings and it would go unnoticed, I tried to improve the efficiency of a handful of processes and it was laughed at and I did not have enough software or access to do anything of real significance.

The skills I learnt were not due to the role itself but due to the general work structure: The consistent routine of office work made me aware of my surroundings and mindful of my colleagues, improve time keeping/calendar organisation, practise writing professional and respectful emails, increase my basic excel knowledge and develop my people and communication skills. For an engineering degree however I have learnt very little. The yearlong role here has made me apprehensive to return to university as I feel I am now out of practise and in a less knowledgeable state than I was when I started placement.

There is a very relaxed atmosphere in general. There is no uniform and the dress code is very casual – polos and shirts. Everyone loves their coffee breaks and likes to have a chat throughout the working day. Meetings are laid back and people are honest with their opinions rather than being scared into accepting whatever is given. If something does go wrong or mistakes are made, people are normally quite forgiving and understanding.

Awful. I was luckier than most as I arrived to work and had a work computer already set up for me. Others had to wait a couple of weeks for access into the building, their own computer and email account, and some didn’t even receive their first pay slip! There is no help offered for the students to find somewhere to live, get in contact with other students, or settle in. On my first day I was picked up from reception an hour late, and it is clear that the students are here so the company can fulfil their quota of placement students and are not actually wanted.

Minimal. I was ‘trained’ by the previous placement student who talked me through his tasks for two weeks. Since then there has been no training – no excel courses, or development workshops to help me in my future work. I have asked what training I am entitled to as a student, and once again I was ignored.

Very few graduates are accepted each year, and not speaking German places you at a huge disadvantage. BMW seems to be a good company to work for if you are a full time employee as there are perks and travel opportunities, but this placement has put me off returning.

The most positive aspect of the company was the magnitude of placement students on plant. A self-organised community has been set up and a weekly evening at a local bar is traditional. As we are all in a similar situation there is empathy amongst all students and effort is made to be social. We attend the same gym, go on weekend trips using the company cars, and have the occasional night out.

The role is in Oxford, meaning London prices without the increased payslip to compensate. Rent was £550 a month and drinks are outrageous prices. However, despite the high prices a social life is still present, but very dependent on going to other houses rather than meals, drinks or nights out. Petrol as well is a lot more expensive in the area; half an hour drive away means the price drops as much as 5p per litre.

There are a handful of clubs a ten minute taxi ride away, but are quite expensive for what they are and are full of teenagers. There is one popular club that is free entry and always popular and provides a fun night out. Oxford offers enough quirky bars and pubs that you don’t need to ever go to the same place twice.

Oxford University and Oxford Brookes open up their union’s societies to other students, so this is always an option to get involved with different clubs if prepared. There are plenty of gyms to choose from and there will be some form of class or workshop if you look for it.