This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
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The Role
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The Company
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The Culture
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
- 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
- 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
- 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
- 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
- 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
- 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
- 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
- 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
- 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
- 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
- 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
The Role
John Lewis is truly a unique retail company. The Partnership means that all Partners are motivated to work hard for the success of the company they are all members of and also because it contributes to their bonus and pension scheme! I worked at Peter Jones in Slone Square and loved it.
Apart from one Senior Manager who was extremely cold and unfriendly, all the other Partners and particularly my DM were incredibly friendly from day one.
Advice and guidance was given to me, but this was limited. Also in some respects this helped me gain independence and gain a deep insight into the role, a little more help would have been appreciated.
Peter Jones is an extremely busy store and we were understaffed
For a significant part of the time I was given many of the responsibilities normally given to Senior Managers.
Any internship will always be more useful than studying theoretical books about jobs and management. Work is essential.
The Company
Peter Jones is an incredibly vibrant department store.
Unfortunately the internship was fairly disorganised. None of the Senior Managers had been told I was going to be on placement for 5 weeks and I wasn't given regular feedback.
The DM ensured I gained experience from the managerial side. All training was invaluable.
Subsidised Canteen
Company Parties/Events
I will be attending the Assessment Centre next January.
The Culture
Does not apply as I was the only intern at Peter Jones in September.
Luckily I lived at my cousins' house for the duration of the internship. Bus travel (even with Oyster card) was obviously expensive. However all my department's Partners got taken out to Pizza Express.
Sloane Square is truly vibrant.
Yes although I did not pursue them.
Details
Internship (1 Month+)
London
December 2011