Learning & Development Intern Review

As a Learning & Development Intern your day-to-day job is varied. From liaising with internal and external stakeholders to co-hosting a business wide upskilling event, everyday is different. At the heart of all the work is the needs of the business and our people and so on a regular basis ways to increase understanding of our employees, how to remain future focused and learning from best practise are explored. Such scope for development means the role is both creative and strategic!

My internship has enabled me to enhance my strengths and develop my weaknesses. Firstly, my understanding of the market has excelled along with my ability to work and communicate with others. Secondly, my ability to analyse data and use it to make a decision, an initial development area, has improved significantly. Lastly, my commercial awareness and business acumen has improved allowing me to always provide context to all tasks at hand!

Undoubtably! From the beginning of my internship I have been challenged, pushed out of my comfort zone and been given huge responsibility which, in turn, has provided me with amble opportunity to leave a legacy behind, add value to the business and create a lasting impact. Despite it being initially overwhelming, the support I was provided with throughout helped hugely. I wouldn’t have changed the workload at all, it’s been hugely rewarding.

The support I was provided with throughout was excellent. From weekly 1:1’s with my line manager and team to coffee catch-ups with mentors from around the business, the culture at L’Oreal values their interns development and thus invest in it! I was provided with feedback throughout my internship that allowed me to improve my performance and master my role. Without such amazing support, my internship would not have been such a success.

Everyone is so friendly and always willing to help which is what makes settling in so much easier! Whether it’s someone offering to lend a hand or offer their expertise if you aren’t sure on something or someone simply saying that you’ve done a good job, I have felt recognised, comfortable & supported at all times. All my fears of starting my internship were soon alleviated as soon as I realised how friendly everyone was. Such a people-orientated culture enabled me to thrive throughout!

Despite initially assuming my experience would have been hindered due to being virtual, I can confidently say it was the best experience it could have been! My work was enjoyable, the team I spent everyday with were amazing & all the skills I wanted to enhance prior to starting my internship were developed and helped me to explore the things I was passionate about and the things that I was not. I feel very lucky to have been able to enjoy my placement as much as I did.

Yes

When applying for a company and role ensure that you are assessing them as much as they are you. Ask yourself questions like; Is this the right atmosphere for me? Does the job description align with my passions? This is vital in ensuring your placement choice will allow you to thrive. Additionally, I would recommend doing your research on L’Oreal as a company; the functions, divisions & our future objectives. Perhaps even start thinking of something you could bring to the company!