General Management Year in industry Review

I fully enjoyed my placement here, the team i was situated with was diverse range of professionals, who were kind, tolerant and educating. I was made to feel like an individual, on my scheme, i was encouraged to create my own opportunities, to explore the industry and learn about the entirety of the organisation. i had my own Personal Development Plan, and was engaged with as a competent, young professional. i thoroughly enjoyed my time at NR.

You couldn't tell i was a Year in industry, i wasn't treated as though i was temporary, or lesser. I took part in the same meetings, had the same opportunities, and was road blocked, or hampered by my lack of prior experience. Everybody falls into Rail, but nobody stops you from thriving there. This valuation by colleges,expanded past the workplace and into a social life and networking, engaging with networks of other YII and the YRP.

My line manager was amazing. From day 1 i was treated as though i was potential. There was no default assumption of incompetence and indolence etc. Whilst i wasn't thrown into the deepend of work at first, as soon as my LM was confident i was competent, and i demonstrated such, the workload increased, as did the opportunists. In terms of support, my questions were always answered, procedural things were always dealt with in a timely manner, and whilst information organisation wasn't the best, it was still manageable.

This was entirely dependent upon the day, my placement was in general management, i only was ever as busy as i made myself. You could have always taken on more if needed. Yes there were come days I could have gone home early, but that is not what the placement year is about, its about developing yourself and actually experience the workplace, gaining as much knowledge and developing a much and as effectively as possible.

the rule of thumb is generally that, gradually responsibility is given, however, if your LM sees you are competent and capable. They will increasingly delegate development opportunities to you. Further to this, when you network with colleagues, you can also gain opportunity from them, its entirely down to the student, the role is their oyster so to speak. You definitely wont be given more than you can handle, and if you end up taking on more than you can handle,so long as you are timely and honest about it, provisional can be made to redact work load or help you manage it better!

Highlight should be made her to the criticality you develop, reflective criticality especially. being in the work place is greatly different to that of academia. Further attention is drawn to development of skills, the reality of working is brought upon you, one such example is concise, executive summary for people n higher band roles. Whilst academia teaches us to evidence and explain our ideas etc. these guys just wanted to hist of it, assuming you'd be able to back it up if needed later.

It was truly brilliant, my team was very diverse and inclusive, and peoples general attitude toward each other was either natural or friendly, if you needed help, help was available. the toilets were cleaned and well managed, the kitchen facilities were wealthy and plentiful. free coffee and tea and milk. You weren't also restricted to professionals in your line of work, there was a healthy mix of engagement with other departments and so peer view of on goings was easily accessible.

Network Rail invested a lot into me absolutely, i took placements in leeds, Darby, Doncaster, everywhere. I got to engaged with station management, finance, Human Resources, there were very few doors that weren't open to an eager, engaged and keen Year in industry. Although these were things you had to put effort into creating and gaining. They weren't just given to everyone. Nonetheless in my experience, it was what you made of it, especially development wise.

Yep, Network Rail has its own retainment process for Year In Industry , i was given a recommendation by my Line Manager for a Graduate role in Project Management, i also learned a lot about the background process from the inside which is very helpful. Although this experience differs, a Colleague of mine has already been offered her graduate role and interview, whilst I'm under the impression the process doesn't begin until the October post placement ending.

Reasonable, no more expensive than York usually was. I study in York and got my placement in York so there was little adjustment in terms of finance for me. The nightclubs are okay, they aren't Leeds of Edinburgh, but they work. the bar life is amazing and vibrant, i would recommend Stone Roses. and Yates Wednesday £1 a Pint. The culture and atmosphere of York in general is beautiful and engaging, i would definitely recommend it.

Despite Network Rails strict alcohol policy there was plenty of external engagement. There was board game nights, football teams, cycle races, whiskey and wine tasting events. There was also a Christmas social, and plentiful opportunity to meet work colleagues on weekend evenings (Fri/Sat) to chill at one of the many local pubs. There was also quite a healthy social atmosphere in the office, trying a variety of local restaurants for lunch and going to the micklegate social fro a coffee meeting.