PQI Project Coordinator Review

My placement was thoroughly enjoyable from the beginning. The working culture is a fantastic balance, with a strong focus on team work and continuous improvement in business processes. The opportunity for global cross-functional networking allowed a great opportunity to actively listen and learn to professionals in all levels. A valuable year.

Lucky to have felt a part of the team immediately when starting my placement, this contributed significantly to how valued I felt by colleagues. Strong working relationships encouraged my team to understand and believe in my ability. Therefore, had a significant affect on my workload and ensured I was an asset rather than a hindrance as a placement student.

I had fantastic experience with my management. I was supported continuously from the beginning of my placement, being offered support daily, with frequent 1-1's to ensure expectations are set clearly and help is provided when needed. Support also came from allowing me to work independently, which developed my confidence in my role.

During my placement, my engagement and willingness to get involved and welcome responsibility ensured I was busy and occupied on a daily basis with different tasks each day. There was a perfect balance between my work load, with the flexibility of hours and ability to manage my time ensured it suited me and my aims for the week.

Cummins give a large amount of responsibility during placement, managing processes and working on your own projects. There are so many opportunities to engage in and on a global scale, exposure of your abilities will draw attention from those outside of your team that will increase your work load and continue to widen your responsibilities.

My placement suited perfectly to my degree in project management, working in a group of project managers, shadowing their daily routines and responsibilities was amazing experience. I started with an immediate brief with management regarding what I wanted to get out of placement, including subject areas I would like to focus on to ensure this. Cummins offer high quality and valuable mandatory training to placement students with optional choices available too.

The atmosphere is friendly, creating a welcoming onboarding experience from day one. The flexi-time also ensures self-management is key, emphasizing on productivity. Flexible workday schedule and clear expectations, communicating effectively. Competitions and ways to engage in office actitivies can be encouraging. Office is professional and respectful, intentional in hiring people that match company culture.

The placements onboarding, training and engagement from management was seamless. Expectations of the placement vary as each role is different with different expectations. There is minimal structure in the 12 months and completely based on the effort you put in and ability you demonstrate that determines your organization and progression paths.

Professional, external training was provided for 4 core focuses including Customer care, presentation skills and team working. These core training schemes were a great opportunity to engage placement students as a group. Similarly, Cummins training for health and safety and individual department training is also provided to ensure placements are confident and knowledgeable of values and ethics of Cummins as well as business processes.

In general, Cummins graduate schemes are successful. Although, for this placement as Project Coordinator, there are no future employment prospects and therefore difficult to find progression in the department that you have established yourself in. Graduate schemes and networking opportunities ensure some potential to return within different departments. Tend to employ internally.

Previous placement students did well in setting up social committee and facebook page to ensure that new placements had point of contact and opportunity to develop friendships before starting. This was a great way to have friends at work outside of your team that made the year very enjoyable and social.

This areas varies. Landlords hunt for those that are students and charge ridiculous prices for basic facilities. This is the same for everywhere and students. Not cheaper than being at Uni, although you are paid a decent salary which balances out the difference in living costs. Socializing was costly as minimal activities in Daventry meant taking social events to Coventry for example.

No/minimal night life in Daventry. Closest is Northampton or Coventry. Transport is minimal and would advise a car if you move here. Social experience is dependent on your efforts to travel further out and affordability

Minimal opportunity work related that was organized outside of work. Potential to create some yourself if you have strong relationships with others on placement. Sports and social club offers days out at work but never took this opportunity.