Business Support Coordinator Review

Volvo Group, more specifically Volvo Penta I found to be a great place to work, with lots of opportunities and chances for development. Including ability to travel to boat shows, exhibitions, dealers and even abroad to the headquarters located in Sweden. From start to finish the placement was highly enjoyable.

I preferred working within a small department within Volvo Group (Volvo Penta), as you had the opportunity to work much closer with the rest of the team on various tasks and projects. The people themselves were great with little to no conflict between anyone in the team which is surprising for group of 20-25 people. Yes I 100% felt valued by my colleagues

As I worked within a relatively small team any support and guidance I needed was always easily accessible whether it was by a manager/supervisor or simply another colleague. So I would specifically see the person best suited to the help I was looking for. I also had regular meetings with my manager to ensure everything was going well.

As expected with most jobs how busy I was would fluctuate going through both very busy periods as well as periods that weren't so busy. I had my regular tasks that I would do on a day to day basis, outside of this I could focus on any external projects I have.

From very early into the placement I was given jobs of importance where I was required to complete tasks with a high level of accuracy. As the placement went on I was given more and more tasks of significant importance. I very much enjoyed the jobs of importance and the responsibility that came with them as I felt more involved with the business.

This is one area where I have not benefited greatly. I have been able to work on a range of valuable life and transferable skills that will prove to be highly beneficial me. However the work I completed while at my placement had little baring to the work on my course, but then again i didnt really expect it to.

The general atmosphere was very friendly and surprisingly relaxed. By no means was it unprofessional but it was the sort of environment when you could walk over and have a conversation with one of your peers at any point in the day. It was a friendly and enjoyable office to work in.

Volvo Group UK takes on a large number, usually over 20 placement every year and has done so for the last few years. Having done this I believe they are very well equipped to take on placement students. Managers/Mentors even receive training and guidelines prior to the intern starting their placement. There was also a full week induction for all new starters which was very helpful.

While at the placement I had a number of opportunities to learn and develop. I have travelled around some of the UK visiting dealers and boat shows learning more about the product and the business. I have also received an excel training course as well as a stage 5 gasoline training course from one of our Volvo Penta trainers

It is a company I would one day be open to coming back to as I believe it is a fantastic place to work, however I believe there would be limited job roles suited to what I would be after. Especially as after university I would like to start a post graduate program and this is something that is not yet offered by Volvo Group.

The social scene amongst the interns to my surprise was very small actually. Having over 20 interns I would have expected far more, but as most of the interns still live at home there is little interaction as a group of interns outside of work. There has been one or two attempts to socialise as a group outside of work.

I found the Warwick/Leamington Spa area to be quite expensive for the midlands having come from the South. Accommodation was difficult to find so many of us ended paying a price higher than we were expecting. The area itself is very nice however and there are activities that are affordable in the local area if you look around.

Warwick is very much a pub town and has no shortage there, but that would be as far as it extends in terms of nightlife. The next town over Leamington Spa has a few more bars and small clubs. Its relatively quite but it was still a very enjoyable couple nights out.

I can't say I looked a great deal as I spent the vast majority of my weeks back at university or home. However, while Warwick is quite small you have Birmingham and Coventry a very short train ride away and you'll never be short of fun things and activities in those areas.