Procurement Placement Review

For many of us a placement is the first 38 hour a week type of job and so it gives you such a good opportunity to immerse yourself in a job role that you find interesting. The experience gained has been second to none and the skills and confidence it gives you will definitely set you up for your future career!

For many placements there is a danger that, as we are students, we won't be particularly valued by the company and our team.,That definitely isn't the case at KB! There is a really strong sense of a family environment and everyone is so friendly, even people who you don't directly deal with

For my placement in the procurement department of KB, the department is split into various commodities that need to be sourced. I had 3 others in my team and they were there every step of the way and always keen to offer my guidance and an insight into how the company operates.

As you are treated as a full time employee and not simply a 'student' you are given a lot of responsibility. So for me, it was laid out to me what tasks I needed to complete each week. I then drew up a timetable to give me a to-do list every day. Like any job, it so up to you to prioritise your workload but there is always help if you feel you aren't juggling it well or aren't being stretched.

As mentioned previously, I was treated as a full time employee and as such I was given as much responsibility as those who had worked there for far longer than me! I had tasks and team members that were dependant on me completing so I definitively felt included and valued by my team.

I really cannot emphasise how much I have developed as a person since working in a large office. The soft skills you learn may be cliche but they are 100% evident to you by the end of your placement and will definitely aid you in your future both in and outside of work

As with any office there are quiet and busy periods but on the whole there was always some form of conversation going on other than that of work so there isn't really a chance to get bored or daydream. Everyone is there to enjoy working so they create a welcoming and easygoing atmosphere

As mentioned previously, you are treated as a full time employee so you are given a lot of insight and responsibility from the get go. With that being said, the placement scheme could have offered more scope to gain an insight into the other departments ans how they all work intertwined

Both my team and manager were always there to offer advice so the opportunity for personal development was great. In terms of personal training/development it is really up to you to make the most of every opportunity because all the resources are there so it if you to make the most of a placement then you need to get your teeth stuck into it!

My manager has welcomed me back for any short term work experience, such as over summer etc. However, more longer team, If there are any vacancies available then the company will definitely consider investing into young people if the job matches the career path you think you'd like, however this sector doesn't particularly interest me but i will definitely remain in contact with my manager!

Yes 100%. As the office is in a pretty remote town just outside of Bath, most of the students live in the surrounding towns. As everyone is in the same boat being in a new area, we spent most weekends together if you people were around. Bath is within 15 minutes and Bristol isn't too far either, even London is about 1 1/2 hours on the train so there is plenty of exploring to do!

The cost of living was as you'd expect so as long as you are sensible with your money, you find some nice accommodation to live in!

With Bath being so close and with it being a big student city we'd mainly go out there on Fridays and Saturdays, it's good just like any other city!

People at KB hired the astro every week for an hour to play 5 a side. I also joined the local rugby team for a few months as well as various gyms/clubs.