HR Intern Review

I have enjoyed this placement and the opportunity to develop my experience within the workplace. I like the variety of my role and the impromtu projects that we (myself and the other intern in my area) get to assist with. I think it would be even more enjoyable were there slightly more tasks to complete.

All of my colleagues here at Plant Hams Hall are incredibly welcoming and lovely. I am lucky to be in a position where working with other departments occurs fairly often and most people have treated me with much reciprocated respect. Despite the size of the Company I've had interaction with many of the associates and the majority have all been welcoming and encouraging.

If I ever needed support or guidance I was supported through both my supervisor and my manager. They are both very understanding and would encourage me to find my own solution to an issue before stepping in but, for the most part, would be ready and happy to step in should the situaiton require this.

Some days, especially when there were projects going on, I was very busy and enjoyed being under pressure to meet goals and deadlines. When there weren't additional projects going on, or when the projects had to be paused for whatever reason, I was not especially busy, but would be looking for things to do.

When I was working on my projects I was often allocated a large amount of responsibility, even leading one project for the Plant. In the rest of my role I was still given a fair share of responsibility but generally more to assist in procedures or meetings such as by completing the paperwork, taking minutes, scheduling... etc

I have developed many new skills such as interpersonal skills, leadership, teamwork - and I am confident that my development in these areas will be very helpful for my future career. Getting office based experience has also helped me with adjusting and allowed me to learn how to apply my skills to this type of environment.

The atmosphere is formal and quite structured but there is often laughter or something rumbling through the office to bring cheer and warmth (despite the freezing air con). I work in a very modern environment and the associates that surround me help to make the overall atmosphere very welcoming and comfortable.

As I was technically a late starter there was no form of induction for me. I shadowed another intern who had been working here for about 4 weeks prior to me joining, but I didn't have a laptop arrive until almost a fortnight into the placement so the first few weeks were quite slow. For the rest of the year the organisation has been better, but potentially still quite average.

I haven't been offered any specific training that is additional to my role. However, there have been many opportunities for me to learn, train and develop through completing the tasks on my job. I have acquired many new excel skills by doing work for other departments such as finance, and have been able to apply these to my role and show them to my supervisors.

I came into this year wanting many things, including clarificaiton that Human Resources is an area I might like to work in... I have learned over the course of the year that I do not want to go into this once I have graduated, and as that is one of the only avenues I migfht work at this Company my prospects are slim. However, BMW Group is an incredible COmpany to work for (particularly if you aren't an intern), offers many benefits, a lovely environment and generally a good place to work.

I think the students met 7 times outside of the Plant over the course of the year, including a trip to our neighbouring Plant, Plant Mini (in Oxford). As well as this we would eat together in the canteen daily and sometimes have group breakfasts or get involved in projects with each other.

I am in the lucky position that my parents live close enough to the placement that I have been able to stay with them over the year, paying subsidised rent fees. The commuting fees have increased this price as thei home is a fair distance from work, and I have joined some clubs that are inexpensive.

I don't tend to go clubbing very often, but the other students have thoroughly enjoyed themselves on their nights out so I would hazard a guess that it is positive. I think it's fairly cheap in some areas of Birmingham, and there are also other towns close enough by that I think some nights out may have happened elsewhere.

I have attended other clubs most nights of the week, and have catered these around where I work and my journey home (places on the way back) giving me many opportunities to get involved with extra curricular hobbies. There are many clubs in the local area of Plant Hams Hall.