Quality Review

As the quality student I assist in implementing quality standards and assurance within the plant. This involves carrying out investigations into non-conformance issues, reporting and presenting investigation results, controlling key production documents within the plant, organizing trial orders for customers, assisting the programs team with trial production, carrying out material tests and assist with supplier quality concerns and assisting with reviewing and updating system control processes as well as the implementation and efficiency of quality and inspection systems.

I have developed my professional skills such as excel, professional communication (e-mails, reports, communicating with different colleagues, learning work culture). I've also developed skills specific to my function, i.e. the 8 quality basics. Most of the skills and knowledge I've used that I gained from university are transferable skills as opposed to specific knowledge to my degree; although, I have used some aspects of materials science, statistics and manufacturing learned at university.

I was given control of critical production documents, that I made and updated throughout my year such as the process check and set sheets, OK 1st part sheets, KPC KCC index etc. These documents are used by every shift, every day. I was also given full responsibility of all trial part orders for customers. I have been given several other responsibilities and projects throughout the year - but I feel I could have been given more (this may differ person to person).

I couldn't have been given more support from the people within my department. They have always looked after me and tried to given me as many opportunities as possible, from making sure I was able to visit suppliers and customers even during covid times to getting me involved in any projects I was interested in, as well as giving me honest guidance and advice. The only other support I would like to see implemented was more of a focus on interaction and connections between students across different plants. I think this would have been very valuable.

Automotive is a fast paced, intense environment to work in. Things can change very quickly within this environment, e.g. periods of high production, which can create quite a hectic atmosphere, but also the opposite is true in periods of low production, where it may seem like there isn't much to do. But, that is the nature of the sector. Faurecia's work culture puts a lot on continuous improvement which is good, but it would be interesting to see how the culture and systems are implemented in other Faurecia plants that make different products, for example.

I enjoyed my placement and think it is invaluable for university students, especially in the engineering sector. It has definitely been worth it for the experience and connections I have gained. It has been important for me to see what the automotive industry is like first hand and shown me that it may not be the field I'd like to work in. However, it has also shown me other roles that I could work in, that I may not have even been aware of before. The key thing for me is I know that this placement year will give me a massive advantage when applying for graduate roles in the future.

Yes

The interview process can seem daunting, especially once you have your on-site interview you are thrown in at the deep end. Remember that there are no right and wrong answers in interview stages, they are just trying to find out how you react to things and what sort of person you are to see if you are fit for the company. They are never trying to trick you, just have the mindset that even if you don't get the job the experience of going through the interview stages will prepare you for your next one. Then, if you do get the job, working in the automotive sector is well respected across all industries because professionals know how challenging it can be.