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 at A+E Networks. It molded me into a reliable, confident, and competent researcher, whilst giving me valuable insights into other departments and the TV industry as a whole.
I felt very valued by my team - it really did feel like an extended family. Multiple team meetings were set-up weekly and team social outings were also organized - it was very much a close-knit group and I was constantly made to feel a part of it!
At the start of the year, I discussed with my manager my goals for the placement and any skills I wanted to focus on; this was taken on board, and I was given numerous opportunities to work on these. My manager (and the team!) were very approachable, giving constant feedback and advice on work. A supportive space was created, and I could talk to my manager about any issues - both on a personal and professional level - who coached me on overcoming such hurdles.
Much of my role was regular reporting, on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis. There was also admin work and ad-hoc requests. As the year went by, I was trusted with new tasks.
As mentioned above, I started my placement doing a lot of regular reporting. Whilst this continued throughout the year, I was given more tasks, including presenting at strategy meetings, writing thought pieces, and covering work from foreign offices. I was also trusted with ad-hoc requests e.g. providing data for our PR team ahead of a series announcement.
I have developed a wide range of skills, including communicative (written + verbal), analytical, organisational, and interpersonal. I'm also a competent user of Microsoft Office and various TV data software. All of this is transferable and will be incredibly useful when going back to university and future career paths.
The Company
The office atmosphere was fantastic! It was very fluid with much interaction between different departments - made more so by an agile working style. There were many events, including weekly socials, company quizzes, and festive parties. In a nutshell, it was a vibrant, friendly, and exciting atmosphere!
It was very well organised and there was much support, both from the university and the company. I was given a structured pathway and there was a primary emphasis on what 'I' want to get out of the year.
The company and my team invested heavily in both my personal and professional development. Much time was spent on 'in-house' training. I also completed online courses in particular areas that I wanted to improve. I was also able to attend off-site training/boot camps, tours of the Sky office, and career fairs. My manager particularly spent much time supporting my personal development.
Sports and Social Club
Company Parties/Events
Above 25 days holiday
Whilst there isn't a graduate scheme within the company, I was given the chance to have in-depth discussions with other departments I was interested in. I was also given help with my CV and cover letter, whilst also gaining many contacts.
The Culture
I interned with another student, and have since become good friends. There were also interns in other departments that I was able to speak to often.
I traveled from my family home, but the transports costs were fairly high. Working in central London meant there were plenty of options, covering different price ranges.
London!
Yes, there were many activities set-up, including choir, yoga, basketball, board-games!
Details
Placement (10 Months+)
London
August 2020