Summer Researcher Review

by Unilever

Best Student Employer

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

3.3/5
  • The Role
    3.8
  • The Company
    2.9
  • The Culture
    3.3

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

    • Interesting work, beyond the scope of the curriculum at uni but one year later I have since covered the relevant theory so even got a head start, plus I had seen the theory applied in action!

    4/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • My project was started when I started but was continued after I left, colleagues I did not directly work with made an effort to introduce themselves

    5/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • Always available to answer questions I had, I had a line manager responsible for the broader issues plus two supervisors directly overseeing my project

    4/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • Some work repetitive but unavoidable in this line of work, results need to be repeatedly obtained to ensure they are accurate, but always something to do

    4/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • Lead researcher on my project, performing unique research, no one had done the work before

    4/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • Extensive analytical numerical skills, analysing data for trends, extrapolating to develop further hypotheses, turning raw data into presentable graphs/visual aids etc, very relevant in other areas especially finance as well as science

    3/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • Not terribly exciting but everyone was working hard, everyone had things to be getting on with.

    3/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • Supervisor was absent for 2 weeks during my placement but this was unavoidable and I was informed in advance. He remotely guided me during this time by email/phone. Project had a beginning middle and end.

    3/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • Supervisors spent a significant proportion of time with me especially at the start when I was still learning methods, always had time to answer questions, very approachable

    4/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • 1/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • Was offered the chance to return again for this summer; sadly I had already obtained a placement elsewhere but otherwise would definitely have gone back

    4/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

    • Many young inters/fresh graduates, often had Friday night or weekend socials together, I was always invited and included

    4/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • Port Sunlight near Liverpool, very affordable

    4/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • Port Sunlight is a village! Closest nightlife however was Liverpool so very affordable and vibrant

    1/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • Work organised country walks in evenings, fairs for employees and their families etc

    4/5
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Details

Internship (1 Month+)

North West

June 2012

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