Supply Chain Planning Intern Review

Day to day work in Supply Chain Planning as an intern consists of a mixture of recurring tasks and project work - you will be given progressively more responsibility throughout (especially if you show initiative and show that you're up for a challenge). It is a very structured team, with lot's of team based projects, so there are many meetings per day to stay on track with tasks. That being said, ad hoc tasks are also very common, depending on capacity of planners etc. - which makes your day more exciting!

With BMW Group it is very easy to learn new skills. Not only do you learn a lot on the job; from new software to how logistics and supply chains work in the automotive industry, but you will also have the resources at your disposal to learn in and around the topics you're interested in. I would say that this role is interesting from both a interpersonal skills level and also a more technical level, so you will be able to improve in a well-rounded way. (due to COVID, my experience may be different to a non-COVID placement)

Throughout the placement, I was trusted with progressively more challenging tasks and therefore given more responsibility. By the midpoint in my placement I was leading projects with a range of departments involved, which gives a great exposure to other teams and job roles - and how they interact to result in successful production in the plant. After the induction period and handover, I was expected to be able to get on with my own tasks, but asking questions if you're unsure is never an issue

At the start of the placement, there is a ~4 week handover period overlapping with the previous interns' placement during which I received intensive training from my predecessor to get me on my feet for when they left the company. I also had weekly 1:1s with my line manager/supervisor during which I could raise any issues and get the support I needed. As for the wider team, they are only a Skype message away for questions. There is also a great community of interns, so as you get to know each other, you'll be a gn invaluable support system for each other

It's difficult for me to have a well-formed idea of this as I spent months of my placement working from home, online. However, the company has multiple charities and extracurricular activities to get involved in, so it is clear they value our work life balance. Due to BMW being an automotive company, there is an imbalance in gender at the plant, but Supply Chain is very good with this, with a solid 50/50 split

Overall I really enjoyed my time at MINI in supply chain. The team were so helpful, and I felt like a useful, valued member of the team. I got to take part in projects that I then saw being successful in practice, which was massively rewarding for me. I was not expecting the intern community to be as large as it was, but this definitely enriched my placement, as I made a lot of friends in the same boat as me. I would return to BMW MINI after this year if given the opportunity.

Yes

Show interest in your Cover letter. Really *know* the company you're applying for. If you're unsure what area to go into as a placement, just apply to something (doesn't necessarily need to relate to your degree) and give it a go! Similarly, don't feel the need to learn everything/anything about supply chain or logistics before arriving. There is training for a reason, they'll teach you all you need to know, just be attentive and willing to learn