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
I loved my placement! throughout my time from beginning till end I received all the support I needed as well as opportunities to use my own initiative and take on responsibility. Furthermore I was challenged as everyday was different and unique meaning there was always lots to learn and reflect on.
Really loved the team I was working with! everyone was very friendly which meant that I felt very welcomed and felt at east throughout meaning I could ask for help when I needed it but I also made solid friendships over the summer. Everyone was very motivated and had a lot in common which meant socialising was very easy
I was given support by all my supervisors I was on shift with alongside managers who would come in. This meant I was able to learn from their experience and was shown how to do things alongside best practise. Working with different supervisors also meant I learn different ways of doing things so I was able to choose what best suited me.
The branch was extremely busy meaning I was able to learn lots everyday. Speaking to a variety of customers from tourists to corporate customers also showed me how to interact with different types of people. On days that we were a bit quieter I was able to do admin work and had training.
I was given a huge level of autonomy from my managers and supervisors. This started from the very beginning of my internship as I was able to do what I felt was right by the customer, in line with being customer centric on every occasion. This meant I learnt very quickly how to react in these situations as I was not always reliant on managers or supervisors.
My skills developed hugely, everything from communication through speaking with customers, supervisors, managers and my peers alongside my parking skills! from driving different cars. I also built on my confidence as I learnt how to handle difficult conversations. This will assist me in my degree as I have shown myself that I can stretch myself and push myself to do the best possible
The Company
It was a great atmosphere meaning that even under pressure we were able to have fun! This was a result of the people I was working with all being like minded and always seeing the humour in situations! furthermore it was always a relaxed atmosphere meaning we worked our hardest and under pressure but also while enjoying it.
It was well organised as I was trained at the beginning in how to do a return, then attended formal training about how to have damage conversations and towards the end of my placement I was often left at returns during quiet periods meaning that I was able to manage it too! showing just how quickly progression can be
The company invested in me as I was sent on many trainings such as how to have damage conversations and fill in claims to monthly development meetings showing how I was progressing and things I could develop whilst also celebrating my achievements. I was also constantly trained whilst it was quiet by being shown how to do different bits of admin
Company Parties/Events
very appealing! so much progression with enterprise and starting on their graduate programme as I could quickly reach managerial level dependant on my own capabilities and desire to progress within the company! this is very appealing alongside the focus on internal progression meaning enterprise always promote from within so anything is possible
The Culture
very very good social scene! everyone was always very friendly and from week one I was invited out to informal night outs and then more formal work dinners with managers which were also very fun. and then ending the peak period with a night out including dinner. This meant that I was able to meet lots of new people from the company and socialise
I lived at home throughout my placement and inevitably this helped keep costs low! However the costs of living, going out and eating out and drinking were consistent meaning that there was always cheap options as well as more expensive options to be had. the cheap options were also very varied meaning they were just as appealing
Nightlife was very good as in Edinburgh during the fringe everywhere is open till late! there is lots to do from shows, to dances meaning there is lots to explore during this time. during the rest of the summer there was also a variety of things to do as everyone had been to and liked different places meaning we were always trying somewhere new
lots of opportunities enterprise often had things to attend such as LGBT parade which we were invited to take part in through enterprise. There were also other activities to get involved in such as charity events from bake sale mornings to sports games in order to have a varied work life
Details
Internship (1 Month+)
Business Operations, Retail
Scotland
October 2019