Logistics and supply chain management internship Review

As an intern on this program you could be expected in any given day to run any of the lines on the shop floor, work with sourcing and logistics to process boards to an outside company and/or support with the aftermarket support GE offers to its customers. The main aspect expected was certainly the running of a line. This would involve reviewing the plan and working with planning to release work when needed.

As well as the hard skills I have developed such as Microsoft office applications and supply chain management software, I feel I have developed immensely since starting the placement. The placement will push you out of your comfort zone and a high level of work and professionalism will be expected when working with other teams. This built confidence is my own abilities and in myself. I also developed my communication skills, listening and project management.

During the internship (as stated) I was expected in any given day to run a manufacturing line just the same as other, experienced material planners. To the company an Intern should contribute just as much as the other employees. Even as an intern you would be held accountable (after some time for training and initial development) just like any other employee.

This is the issue that is slightly divisive as it's purely subjective based on the employee supporting you. Some employees, the line manager and the team's team coach are incredibly supportive throughout the internship and no matter the question, at any stage in the internship would be glad to help. Some employees however wouldn't be so happy to help, and sometimes it required learning by just doing yourself.

Generally the company culture was much like any other's. I did like the sometimes high paced atmosphere of the manufacturing line, however it does sometimes quieten down and provides some needed reprieve which is welcome towards the end of the day. The people are good to work with and very rarely did I feel that another employee was acting unjustly for no apparent reason.

I did enjoy it as well as learning and developing. It was a different kind of enjoyment from university where the enjoyment typically comes from having a lot of free time, on placement I was doing a lot of work, but through getting pushed and working with some great people I feel we all work better than at university. The opportunities for social activities are there if wanted (although covid restrictions stopped a lot of them). Some days were certainly better than others, and some employees significantly easier to work with, however overall it is a learning experience and more than anything I think anyone would come out the other side a better person for it.

Yes

Think about what projects you want to undertake and think about what would help you push them through. Think about how you interact and communicate with others and the effects this could have on your relationship with them. Build people's trust, even if just doing very small tasks correctly and on-time every time this will build an excelled rapport with your managers and peers.