Management Support Intern Review

My experience with Porsche was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish and I am so grateful to have met so many great people! You are presented with a good level of responsibility from the onset and as you progress and develop, that level of responsibility only increases from there on! It was a great environment to work in and I really felt like a part of the team, which made my experience all the better.

You are given a high level of responsibility by carrying out tasks which have a real effect on the business. This responsibility is demonstrated by the mindset of my colleagues, that they really do trust you and value you as an asset to the team. By carrying out tasks in all departments of the business, you gain the trust of others around you, thus feeling more valued within the business. Being given responsibility early on was a great way to immerse myself in the business.

Having bi-weekly meetings to discuss ongoing and future projects was a great way to sustain a high level of support throughout the placement. Whenever I needed help, the support network was there and it was stressed from day one never to hesitate if I had any questions. Having multiple people in Management meant that I could gain valuable insights from a range of people, whilst also being able to approach multiple people when in need of help.

The workload ranged from a day to day basis due to the nature of the business. Operating in a showroom meant that at certain times we were extremely busy whereas at other times we were less busy. However, having a range of short-term and long-term priojects meant that when we were less busy there was still plenty of work to be getting on with. I found the varying workload a positive thing as every day was different.

The workload increased as my time went on, and rightly so as the more I gained the trust of my colleagues the more they trusted me to carry out projects. This was a nice transition as I felt like the workload I had was increasing alongside my personal development. Perhaps there could have been slightly more responsibility at the start but I can understand why, as I was learning the basics and was finding my feet within the business.

There was a multitude of opportunites for training, all of which were beneficial for my personal development. Throughout the year we were presented with opportunities to attend both optional and compulsory training days. I tried to attend every training as I found them all to be a good opportunity to learn new skills which were transferable not only to my role at Porsche but also for my University degree and beyond. I enjoyed this aspect of the role.

The atmosphere was very positive throughout and there was a good energy within the team. Everyone had their individual roles to carry out but as soon as anyone needed help there was a support network which meant roles could integrate and help their colleagues when needed. Being a fast paced office, there was always a high energy within the team, which helped to keep spirits high and keep the team motivated, even when faced with difficult situations.

A two-week handover period at the start of the internship meant that I could learn all the fundamental aspects of the business and the role itself. I found this extremely beneficial and I feel like it demonstrates the organisation of the work placement at Porsche. As well as this, frequent training opportunities and a large support network meant that there were always people around to listen to any questions or help when it was needed.

If I felt that I had too much or too little work, my Management team were always there to listen to me, which increased my ability to better myself (as I never felt too overwhelmed or underwhelmed with work). Also, the training opportunities were organised for us to develop our skills and considering the amount of opportunities we were provided, this reflects Porsche's high opinion of their placement interns. Personal development is a high priority of Porsche.

There isn't a specified graduate scheme at Porsche but if you are interested in pursuing a career with Porsche you can apply to any role that you desire. Having a year long placement with them means you have a good understanding of the business and how they operate, which may aid you in applying for a role. It is unfortunate that there is no graduate scheme but understandable given the nature of the business and the industry!

There are many opportunities to socialise with the other interns based at Reading, as well as socialising with your colleagues. I found it the perfect balance as you could socialise with your colleagues in London and then go to see your fellow interns! Not being based with the interns meant that I didn't see them as much, but to be honest I dont think that made the experience any less, as you still get to see them very often!

Needless to say the cost of living and socialising in Mayfair is extremely high, but that is part of the experience! Being able to work in such a prestigious area of London was one of the reasons I applied to the job. There are many ways to reduce costs and maintain a 'student lifestyle' if needed, so I wouldn't say it was an issue working in such an area. Costs of generic items such as food and drinks are similar to the rest of London.

The nightlife in Mayfair was very good, as there is a constant buzz around the area. There are a large number of pubs/bars/clubs, which are always open.

We had several social events that were organised throughout the year, to both reward and bring the workforce closer together.