Summer Placement Review

by Costain

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

3.5/5
  • The Role
    3.8
  • The Company
    4.0
  • The Culture
    2.5

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
  • I thoroughly enjoyed my placement with Costain on the HoV2 project. I was warmly welcomes by my section from day 1 and was given responsibilities that were a challenge at first but i had plenty of support to achieve them. As my experience increased, as did the responsibilities i took on day to day.

    4/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
  • The relationships formed over the brief 10 weeks i had with the company were unparalleled. Everyone i interacted with over the site was interested in what i was doing, my plans and me as a person. More over they would happily share their own stories too! All the members in my section encouraged my work and understood my lack of applicable experience in the field.

    5/5

  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
  • my supervisors provided all the support i required as well as taking time out to help provide me with training tailored to the work we were undertaking at the time. I made sure to take advantage of the support by asking questions which were happily answered with demonstrations when needed.

    4/5

  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
  • As with working on most sites the work varied from day to day. I was placed on a project which was approaching it completion date for the section i was working on so some days were a little slow however there was still plenty to do. The slower days provided more experience with paperwork etc whilst when gangs were coming in the next day, it was focused on site.

    3/5

  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
  • I was provided with a challenging amount of responsibility. This pushed me however i was fully supported throughout the entire time. At first, I was shown the ropes and took things slowly as i built an understanding. This then culminated in me making individual decisions (checked by section engineer) and even guiding my own placement student around at the same time.

    5/5

  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • Whilst at university, its very easy to just focus on the academic side of engineering which makes it difficult to visually apply what you're studying to real life. By going on site, speaking to the workers, seeing the engineering techniques applied has all cemented my knowledge i have been accumulating over the years.

    3/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
  • It was a busy-hive environment with people coming in and out to push the progress of works on-wards. this created a talkative and well communicating environment with teams talking to each other as well as jokes being thrown around to create an area with high morale. The team based layout maximised section work too.

    4/5

  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
  • It was structured differently to a typical work placement because it was more integrated into the work i was involved itself. This made it feel much more rewarding with a greater sense of job satisfaction as i knew the work i contributed was used. I was still provided with increasing work and goals to achieve however it didn't feel artificial.

    3/5

  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • As part of the sponsorship scheme with Costain they have invested well into my interest and development with the company. I have been given many opportunities with the company and paths of development throughout my placement and also time at university. This includes help with projects that I will undertake.

    5/5

  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
  • Company Car

    Subsidised/Company Gym

    Staff Sales/Staff Shop

    Above 25 days holiday

    Travel loan

    4/5

  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
  • I have not only heard great things about the support Costain offers to their employees but also experienced some if them first hand too. This has influenced my decision to stay with he company past my contract requirements. They have also offered support towards some of my industrial goals such as chartership.

    5/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
  • 3/5

  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
  • 3/5

  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
  • 3/5

  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
  • 3/5

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Details

Internship (1 Month+)

Engineering

Wales

October 2019


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