Siemens E3 Scholar Review

I really enjoyed my placement. I feel that within the eight weeks I spent with Siemens I learnt a lot about not only the business but also about how large businesses work as a whole. I felt that the work I was doing was beneficial and not just assigned to me as a time filler.

The team I joined was quite small and very close knit. Many of them were not regularly in the office and so at times it was hard to get to know people. However, everyone made me feel very welcome and were more than happy to explain things to me and give me help whenever I needed it.

My manager was always available to give me advice on how to proceed in my project and if he was unable to help, he always knew who I should turn to and pointed me in their direction. Other members of staff were always happy to help me whenever I needed help for HR type things, like claiming expenses etc.

The project I got given was quite big and so I always had something to do. Saying that, I was never had too much to do and so wasn't overwhelmed. I was also involved in a group project so if ever there was a lull in my project I could get involved in that.

As this was my first placement at Siemens, I wasn't given any roles of responsibility. I was responsible for guiding my project in a way I saw fit, with the help of someone in the team. I would like to take on more responsibilities when I join again but for my first time I was very happy to get to know the business.

My placement was not very technical and so I wouldn't say that I developed any new skills. Consequently, I also wasn't given any training. My project involved me coordinating with many people from many different departments within the business and so I developed my skills in communication and time management, which I am sure will be very beneficial in the future.

Everyone in my office got on really well and so there was a very friendly atmosphere. When walking round, everyone said hello and smiled as I passed by. Everyone was aware that I was new and so made an effort to get to know me and make sure that I knew what I was doing.

The organisation of my placement was very good. My manager was obviously used to having placement students in and so knew exactly what to do. I was given lots of information and so was able to get to grips with office life very quickly. If ever I did have any problems, they were sorted immediately.

There wasn't a massive amount for the company to invest in me as my placement was not very technical. My placement was only eight weeks and so the need for training never really came up. However, when trips were needed for the group project aspect of my placement, Siemens were more than happy to accommodate.

I am returning to Siemens on their graduate scheme and I am excited to do so. The graduate programme involves working in four different departments for six months each, and I am looking forward to experiencing different areas of the business. Everyone I have spoken to has said what a great company Siemens is to work for.

There were eleven of us on the scheme over summer and nine of us all lived together. That was nice as it meant I wasn't living in a new city on my own. There were also social activities arranged for us to do as a group, which was really nice.

As with every city, there are cheaper and more expensive areas. Central Manchester has some really nice bars but these were all in general quite expensive. Some of the nearby pubs were much cheaper and were quite nice. It very much depends on what you want to do, on the whole it wasn't too expensive.

Manchester is renowned for having a good nightlife. It was only a ten minute taxi journey into the centre which was full of bars, clubs and pubs. Closer to the office, there are lots of pubs so there is always something to do.Manchester has a lot of live music venues too.

Through Siemens, activities such as cricket trips, pub trips and sports days were arranged and we were welcome to get involved. Alongside this there is the standard activities of any city, including sports classes and clubs and other activities. I was only in Manchester for eight weeks and so didn't join any of these things but I would like to when I move back.