Marketing Summer Placement Review

I was working as a Customer and Trade Marketing Executive within Unilever Away From Home UK based in the UK Headquarters at the Leatherhead Office. My role was agile and had a range of responsibilities. I oversaw the Trade Artwork process for all our trade adverts, both printed and online, by briefing and corresponding to agencies, and planned the completion of these using the trade marketing calendar. I also helped optimise our online trade websites for some of our biggest customers, as well as updating our outdated sales aids for the sales team. In addition, I have organised the 2021 sell in events for our largest trade customers and managed budget, logistics and created multiple videos for the Away From Home UK Team. I took on extra projects such as leading the creation of the 2022 convinence Ice Cream strategy, working on a project with a Quick Service Outlet and Ben & Jerry's, a partnership expected to bring in £5m for the business. Finally, I coordinated and ran a Team Manifesto workshop to help bring the team together after reviewing the team MOT documents, which helped to increase focus, productivity and strengthening our team purpose. Everyday was different, and I was in charge of prioritising and managing my own workload to meet deadlines.

I have developed so many new skills whilst on my placement. Some softer skills I have developed include a great increase in my confidence after being surrounded by inspiring, supportive team who believe in me. I have developed my strategic decision-making skills in line deciphering what will a positive long-term impact on the growth of our wider business. I have also developed agility and adaptability, with projects changing and having to embrace change to seek new opportunities. I have also developed many hard skills from Search Engine Optimisation training, Customer Experience Management training, a strong excel proficiency and my presentation and public speaking skills.

Going into a 12 week placement, I wasn't sure how I would be able to gain a lot of responsibility in such a short amount of time. What is clear from joining Unilever, is that you are treated and respected as a colleague of the company, and you are given a real role that you are needed in to help grow the business. Despite having a lot of responsibility from day 1, this is the best opportunity to learn, and there is a lot of support and guidance from your line manager, and there was no pressure to understand everything straight away. This was an opportunity for me to learn as much as possible - and being given a real role and responsibilities allowed that.

I was able to speak to anyone on my wider team whenever I needed, I never felt like any question was too silly to ask and I genuinely felt supported by every single person I worked with. Unilever has a very special culture, and everyone wants each other to do well. As well as weekly check ins with my manager, I was able to ask questions whenever I was stuck, and I had chats with the wider team regularly.

Unilever is definitely a very special place - and you only have to work here for a short amount of time to realise this. Everyone I spoke to is genuinely passionate about their jobs, which comes down to a company culture which genuinely respects and rewards their amazing workers for their hard work. There is no jealousy or competitiveness, and just a sense that everyone really wants the best for everyone. I am going to keep in touch with a lot of members of my team, I feel very lucky to have worked with such great people.

I have enjoyed my summer placement so much - I recommend anyone interested to apply for this company for a placement or the graduate scheme! I started my journey with Unilever in 2019 at the Spring Program and I really hope I get the opportunity to return to them in the future. I never thought that I would be able to wake up genuinely excited to work and be so happy in a work place - that often feels like an urban myth these days! I have met friends for life, and really, had such an incredible summer whilst working hard and learning so much.

Yes

My advise would be to do your research on the company, follow their linkedin and socials to see what they are up to, and really grasp your head about what unilever stand for as a business. If you are passionate about the company, this will come across in your interviews. With this passion, you can be truly your authentic self! Unilever is full of so many different people with a range of skills and degrees, there is no one box to tick. Just be confident that if you are a right fit for them, they will see that! Good luck!