Commercial Management Review

The placement was split into two 6 month placements, I enjoyed my first placement much more than I did the second. However the experience in both was still above expectations.

Everyone at the company is open and friendly, willing to help and there to answer questions. I have never felt like 'just the placement student'. People expect to to learn fast and get your work done.

Training throughout the placement gave support in a form I didn't expect. You recieve an appraisal every 3 months, ensuring that your coping, can communicate any issues and can discuss how your projects are going. These appraisals are key as they give you goals and actions to work on.

In my first placement I always had a good amount of projects and tasks to do, I never found myself looking for work or asking someone to take on some of my tasks. In my second placement, because of the nature of the department I sometimes found that the tasks that I was given I found too easy and completed quickly.

In my firts placement I was given the whole intranet to control including the schemes, incentives and programmes, I was the point of contact for the dealer network and found that my manager really had nothing more to do with it except checking it was all ok. In my second placement I was given a few events to organise; source resources; manage; attend and debrief, this was very rewarding and completely my own work.

I have gained invaluable experience that will help my academic writing on my final year, as I now have examples and case studies to refer to, and will help me when I look further towards a career. I have found my own strengths, weaknesses and preferences that I can use to my advantage when applying for a graduate job.

Everyone is open and friendly and willing to talk, but everyone also has important work to get on with and so cant chat all day. It is clear when people are busy, but when they are'nt they make an effort to get to know you.

HR are fantastic, the pre induction day in the summer allowed us to meet all the other placement students prior to starting, easing the pressure a bit. A buddy system is in place to give you a constant contact prior and during your placement, but the HR team are very open and helpful for any questions or concerns you have. The structure is well designed and implemented with appropriate documents and excellent training.

The training days are tailored to the placement students, the topics are very relevant to the stage of your placement and the trainer, Sean, is fantastic.

At the moment graduate opportunities aren't fixed for the company, however if the chance was their I would consider it for a starting point in my career.

I had more of a social relationship with the friends I made in my department rather than the other students, however we did do Christmas dinner, a few nights out and a leaving night out.

Coventry has most things you need , but for the better nights out and a large shopping scene Birmingham is only 20 mins on the train.

As its a University city its got a good enough nightlife, not what I wa used to but good enough for the odd nights out.

Yes - I was always busy with other commitments so often didnt get involved.