Digital Placement Review

Working in the Consumer sector of J&J during my placement year, I found the overall experience very enjoyable and pleasant. From a work perspective, I was given a lot of opportunities to build upon my current skills and develop as a valued professional. There is a sense of 'work community' at the company, with there being numerous Town Halls, webinars and regional meetings to attend where you get exposure on the company at a wider level and across the different sectors.

From the very beginning of my placement, I was immersed in the work culture and made to feel as part of the team. As an established company, there were numerous other placement students based onsite so I did not feel out of place or 'alone'. Despite being a placement student, I was given responsibility from the very beginning of the role which made me feel valued as opposed to spending a lot of my placement shadowing others. I would definitely say that you are treated as a valued employee.

My manager was very helpful and supportive during my placement, with a majority of the individuals at J&J being available to answer any queries I had. I was never made to feel as though my questions were a burden, which was a worry when I first started. If there was ever a concern, I was not hesitant in approaching my line manager who advised me and took the time to listen to what I had to say. We also had meetings each quarter (every 3-4 months) to set personal goals and objectives which we reviewed and updated during the course of the placement.

As expected, during the first few weeks, I spent a lot of time in the induction training. There was a handover period from the previous placement so we could get a grasp on our roles and responsibilities, whilst also shadowing them to see first hand how to carry out certain tasks. At J&J there is never a shortage of work to be completed, with the opportunity to be involved in many projects and work tasks. I would definitely say that the amount of work depends on you and how much you can handle. My team was very supportive in being aware of my work backlog and always encouraged vocalising myself if I needed more/ less work.

At J&J, you are never treated as a 'placement intern', you are simply a part of the team and are expected to carry a reasonable amount of responsibility. Of course, when you first start, there is less pressure. As you progress into the role and develop more of an understanding of the way in which the company is run, you do get more involved in tasks and projects. There is an organic progression with the amount of work and responsibility which is only natural as your time at the company increases.

I would definitely having a placement which is relevant to your degree discipline helps with obtaining particular skills which will be useful in your degree studies and beyond. However, if your placement is not relevant, there are still a multitude of skills which are developed. Simply being in an office environment, interacting with other employees in a professional manner and building a work report is an area I have grown in as well as liaising with others in a professional capacity on a global scale. As my role involved interacting with employees who were based abroad, I also gained exposure on virtual meetings.

The atmosphere in the office was relaxed and light-hearted. There is interaction with colleagues both in your immediate team and beyond. We didn't have to remain at our desks and were encouraged to be active and take breaks during our working day. Meetings can take place in the communal office areas or in pre-booked meeting rooms and there is also the opportunity to work outside. Overall, it was a really nice working environment where I felt welcome and comfortable.

I would definitely recommend a work placement at J&J. There were numerous other placement students working alongside me in multiple different roles across my site. All placements begin at the same time so you do not feel 'alone' and as there have been many placements in previous years, the company is prepared and has a good set of processes in place. There is induction training to go through when you begin so you are not expected have a wide knowledge base prior to your start.

From your start at the company, you are made to feel as part of the team. Every quarter (3-4 months), you have a face to face meeting with your manager to discuss your placement, any concerns you may have and set goals and objectives. You can bring up any concerns at any point and there are many training courses, webinars etc. you can take part in during the course of the year. There are definitely opportunities for development.

The company itself is a great organisation to work for. There is a great work culture, with the company really working to make a difference in the world. If I had the opportunity, I would definitely consider working at J&J in the future. However, I would say that a majority of the opportunities within the consumer sector for post graduates are based in marketing. For me, my discipline wasn't in this area therefore it is unlikely that I will return to the company as a post-graduate employee.

A there are numerous other placements (between 20 and 30) based at my site, there was definitely social interaction amongst the placement cohort. The level of social interaction depends on your placement cohort. I was lucky in the sense that my fellow placements were active in arranging outings outside of work and other activities during the work day. Within the company itself, there are organised events outside of working hours which are also based off site.

As the placement itself was based in the south of England, the cost of living was definitely higher than in the North. I would say that because we were based outside of London, the cost of living was not extortionate (like London prices) but you could tell the difference if you had lived in the North previously. There were regular trains to Reading and London so there were decent prospects for social outings in surrounding towns and cities.

Nightlife in the area was very lacking, with there only being one club in the town. However, J&J does have placement positions in numerous sites across the UK so it is likely that there are other placement locations in larger cities where there are prospects for a better nightlife experience. I would also note that there was regular public transport to larger cities such as London where there is more of a nightlife atmosphere and scene.

There were opportunities to get involved in some activities outside of work which were both organised by the company itself and individually between colleagues. Within your immediate team and across the site, there are opportunities to take part in CSR (corporate social responsibility) days where you can commit to completing some charity work (your choice of the charity). This can be organised individually or with others at work. There are also other organised events outside of working hours to get involved in.