Marketing Intern Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement year at Virgin Media. Working as part of the marketing team I feel as if I have had the chance to learn from the brilliant people around me who have pushed me to challenge myself everyday. I feel as if I have really developed on this internship with the help of the company.

I feel as if I am a valued member of our team. Initially at the beginning I was nervous to contribute or speak my mind at times but with encouragement from my peers I believe my confidence has grown to enable me to really start giving back to the company. Everyone in my team genuinely seems to care for my well being and always treat me with respect, I will miss them all.

My manager was incredibly helpful throughout the year and whenever I asked for support with something they were very quick to see what they could do to assist me. Despite them not being based in the same location as me they still supported me well through the year, delegating day to day management of me to their colleagues.

I always had something to do whilst on my placement year. Initially at the start it is a bit slow but that is positive as you are still finding your feet and you do not want to be overwhelmed with work when everything is so alien. As the year progressed I was given weekly tasks as well as the opportunity to get involved in other things that I showed an interest in should I have the capacity.

At the start you do not have as much responsibility but as you build your confidence and show what you are capable of you are given more meaningful tasks to be completing. I was trusted to make key changes on our websites and manage channels and social accounts with 10's of thousands of followers.

I believe my internship has developed me in terms of both my knowledge and my skills. My understanding of marketing and the processes behind it has improved ten fold since undertaking this internship. I also feel as if it has developed my organisational and interpersonal skills to help me become more ready for the workplace. My work ethic has been greatly improved as a result of this placement.

The general atmosphere in the office was one of real positivity and fun. I really enjoyed going into the office and seeing my team and the other graduates. Everyone was very approachable and you feel as if you can be yourself in the office. There is a very good work ethic among employees but this is balanced with enjoying your work and having fun as you do so. I laughed a lot on my internship year.

I think the placement was organised very well for the vast majority. My year with the company took place during the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis and the company handled this brilliantly well considering. Training sessions and social events were organised frequently throughout the year which was great. My only tiny complaint was that we were very late to receive our contracts and information at the beginning. Also I think it would've been good to have my manager based in the same location as me.

There is lots of oppurtunity for training and development at Virgin Media as they prepare you for a role in management from an early stage. Compulsory courses for all interns really help you develop your soft skills, with classes such as 'Challenging Conversations' and 'Networking' really helping me to think about these things and act upon them in the office.

If offered the opportunity I would definitely return to Virgin Media after finishing my degree. I have enjoyed my experience so much and I think that the positive and bubbly company culture aligns very closely with my own personality. I would like to continue learning and developing with Virgin Media as part of their graduate programme.

I have met some brilliant people from throughout the company and there is a very string graduate and intern community. I played football every Wednesday with a bunch of guys which was really good fun and there were socials organised by the graduate committee a few of which I went to were really good. Our year was impacted by Covid-19 so it is difficult to say and I know the social scene definitely improved as the year went on.

I was placed at the main Virgin Media HQ in Reading. Myself and 3 other interns managed to find housing very cheaply in the area although it wasn't the nicest of houses/areas it did the job as a student house. I found reading to be quite expensive when drinking and eating out as I come from the South West, especially in bars.

Reading has quite a good nightlife scene with quite a number of clubs all of which are very central and easy to access by bus/train. I play rugby so went out more with my rugby team than with the interns but found Reading to be quite a good night out. The highlight however was being 20 mins on the train from London, I saw a lot of amazing live music and sports on my placement year.

I am a keen sportsman and through the graduate scheme I got to know a few people who played rugby and recommended I come along. This was a great opportunity to meet like minded people, keep fit and continue where I left off at University. I also played football every wednesday with the graduates and despite being useless thoroughly enjoyed that as all abilities were welcomed along.