Undergraduate Engineer Review

I had an amazing year within my department, getting to know my team as well as people from the wider business. The team was very sociable. We had a huge range of socials throughout the year, including paint balling, pub nights, and trampolining. Overall my placement year at Jaguar Land Rover exceeded my expectations.

My colleagues provided a huge amount of support and treated me as an equal throughout my year. They would always help me if I ever needed any advice. I learnt a considerable amount about the processes used and required knowledge to support decisions from my colleagues. I also felt valued by my colleagues that I worked with from other departments. They all treated me as they would a full time employee (many stated they didn't realise I was an undergraduate).

My line manager, as well as the other managers in my team offered constant support and encouragement throughout my year. I am very appreciative for the opportunities they gave to me. As my desk was next to my line manager's, he was always able to provide advice and guidance whenever needed. I also worked with two other managers in my team during my role as PAT Leader. They would regularly ensure I was managing my responsibilities as well as offer support when I would have too much going on.

I spent my first three months completing quality data analysis. This was very useful for me to understand the business on a wide scale. This was sometimes quite slow as it was quite a repetitive process. I was assigned as PAT (Programme Attribute Team) leader for 4 different vehicles for the remainder of my placement. This kept me very busy, sometimes too busy. However, I enjoyed this as I was able to work on my time management and organisation.

During my first 3 months on placement, I was given the responsibility to complete data analysis and summarise my findings on one pagers that have now been cascaded throughout the business. As mentioned above, I was then assigned to be a PAT Leader for the following nine months of my placement. This role meant I was leading all issues related to my department for the programmes.

The interpersonal skills I have been able to develop throughout the year, including my communication skills and my ability understand and partake in decisions relating to issues, will definitely assist me for my final year at university and the future. Jaguar Land Rover has a wide range of training programmes for all employees. There can sometimes be a long wait time to enrol on the training sessions.

In terms of work environment, I was based in the design studio for the majority of my placement. Due to an ongoing renovation, it was often quite loud and sometimes dusty in the studio. However, my team created a very friendly and chatty atmosphere to work in. The other departments around us also added to this open and relaxed atmosphere.

Overall the placement year was organised well. I had no major issues. The assessment centre ran smoothly and the lady who ran the day helped to put everyone at ease throughout. I received quick responses whenever I had contact with them. There wasn't much proactive contact on their behalf but I don't think it was really necessary. I think it should be more obvious as to what departments are included in each area of the business when applying though.

Jaguar Land Rover has a wide range of training programmes available for all employees. They can be quite difficult to enroll on to at times but tend to be worth it. I completed training sessions in specific programmes related to my work, as well as personal development training sessions. These were very beneficial.

At the end of the 12 month placement, you have a review with your line manager and they say whether the undergraduate is suitable for rehire. It varies whether this is a straight forward offer for the following year intake for the graduate scheme or whether additional screenings such as assessment centres will be required. This tends to happen when their are fewer graduate positions than there are potential applicants. I am lucky that my department doesn't require another assessment centre so providing they will take on a graduate next September, I will be going back.

I was lucky to form a great group of friends during the induction week. We would meet to go out out in Leamington, as well as just hang out at each others' houses during the year. However I think it would have been quite difficult to find new people after the first couple of months if I hadn't met my friends in the first week.

The cost of living for me personally was very high, as I ended up living by myself for the year. I know my fellow undergraduates who house-shared didn't have to pay as much for rent and bills, but still found it difficult to socialise as much as hoped due to the higher cost. Leamington is an expensive part of the country to live in.

I was based in Leamington Spa for the year. There are several pubs and bars in the town centre. These were ideal for hanging out with other undergraduates as well as with my group of friends from work. There are a few clubs, but not many. They each have different music genres and aren't too expensive either. They tend to be busiest during term time as many Warwick Uni students also live in Leamington.

Myself and my colleague were named 'social sec' for my team. We organised several events throughout my year. These included activities such as paint balling, trampolining and weekly pub nights. The undergraduate and graduate network also organised events during the 12 months too. There was also an on site gym at Gaydon, offering an employee discount.