Corporate Responsibility Intern Review

I really enjoyed my placement and how much responsibility you get given. You are thrown into it very quickly, but the team help you settle into the work very easily. The work itself varies, and many of my tasks were project based, which allowed me to see the progression of mine and the teams work, as well as how it all came together really clearly. It's really rewarding work, while allowing you to work with a variety of internal and external people.

I worked in a very small team, so you were given real responsibility for individual tasks which made me feel very valued and trusted by all my colleagues. The team all treat you like an equal and collaborate on team projects which make you feel like a valued member of the team. Due to the size of the team, you feel that everyone has key tasks to do, especially at events where I had to complete some key tasks within the team. Being trusted with key tasks and projects also made me feel more valued, as I was doing more than just getting coffee.

I had two more formal reviews with my manager where she checked in on my progress, helped me identify my strengths and areas to improve, as well as have a whole session talking about my future career prospects, giving me advice and looking over my CV for me. In the team I was in, we did not really have regular check ins, but it was the type of environment where you could openly ask anything and for help or guidance - which was great especially at the start. Both my team, and the bigger team I sat in were all great with being there for any help I needed, whether that was a hand with any of my tasks, or guidance on key systems that were new to me.

Each day varied depending on the year, ie, some months we had key events or projects which meant we were a lot busier. The role is extremely varied and covers such a wide range of projects and tasks, which did mean I was usually always busy. However, while I was busy most the time, it did help me learn to organise and balance my time more, as well as learning to prioritise key tasks depending on priority levels and deadlines. I sat in a very reactive team, which meant that occasionally I would have to drop work to quickly complete other important tasks, this was quite tough at first due to the busy nature, however again it taught me to organise my time better - making it become more of a balance when I got used to it.

I was given a great amount of responsibility during my placement, and each task I had to do often played a key part in some of the work. Again, as I sit in a small team, we each would do very different things, and my role as the intern did not mean I would just be doing admin work, but rather work that needed to get done. As no one else did some of the tasks I did, it felt as though you were given a great amount of responsibility as no one would be there to check or edit your work.

I have learnt so much while on my placement, and improved many skills while gaining new ones. This includes writing techniques including engaging and persuasive writing, social media style and adapting the language depending on the audience. I have also been given the opportunity to do training including photoshop - as well as given the opportunity to do more creative tasks utilising this new skill - and general intern training such as project management and completing the Myers Briggs test. I can use all the skills I've gained not only in my degree studies, but in future careers. I have also been given advice and help on my future, and the next steps for me, including taking the time to look over my CV and give tips and edits.

In the first half of the year I sat more with other teams, which was a great atmosphere as there were other interns and people to talk to - it made it easier and more approachable to join, and allowed us to have breaks from our screens more often, and enjoy the time in the office. Half way through the year, I moved to a new floor in the building and now sit still in an open plan office, but just with my team rather than others. While the team are all really sociable and makes the atmosphere enjoyable, I did like sitting with other teams as it encouraged me to take more breaks from my screen more often.

The internship was really well organised, and the intern specific training allowed me to have a more structured time with the company. There is also a wide network of fellow interns and apprentices which meant that I could reach out to any of them for some of my tasks. The handover with the previous intern also meant that I was eased into working more, as coming from university to working is a big change.

I was actually quite surprised about the amount of training and development advice you get given throughout the whole year. I initially thought you would just get core training when you first join, but the company offer out training and development throughout the whole year, while also offering up many other opportunities including getting the chance to hear from employees who now work for the company, but used to be interns.

While I've really loved my time at Warner Bros., there isn't really any opportunity that I know of to ever come back due to no gradate schemes, or availability to join within my team. My team is very small, which means there is not really any room for any new employees to join, and the lack of graduate scheme just emphasises that there isn't really any way I would be able to come back. While there are some interns who have come back to work for the company, I don't see how it would be possible for me.

There is such a large group of interns and apprentices within Warner Bros., and HR ensure we are all connected, allowing you to have a great group for not only networking in the company but socially. It is really social, and we would always go out and have drinks, and many of us live with fellow interns too - who we were able to meet through being connected via facebook and having a meet up day organised by HR, prior to starting the placement.

The cost of living is really high, and being on a placement wage in London was really difficult I found. You do learn to be a bit smart about your finances and know how to use your wage, including rent as well as travel and socialising. Although, I was still able to get a student loan which massively helped during my year, allowing me to socialise more within my financial restraints.

The nightlife in London is great! We are so close to so many big areas including Soho and Covent Garden which meant we could go out after work.

There are a lot of volunteering opportunities to get involved with outside of work, and my team also ran these which meant I could get take part in them all including outdoor and conservation volunteering. Having the intern/apprentice chat also meant that others would often put on other activities that you could get involved with from their teams too.