PepsiCo UK Industrial Placement - IT Review

I work using various technologies including Microsoft Power Platform, to create reports and applications for various sectors in the business. I work with teams all across the world to develop these projects. I also assist with various other tasks which are on a case-by-case basis, meaning each person on the same placement is working on wildly different projects. For Example I am working on ticket support, power automation development and 0365 Awareness. I have also hosted webinars to several hundred different people, as well as presented projects (and their progresses) to individuals who are several stages above myself (including the head of UK IT).

I've learnt various different things and developed various different skills. For a combined list: - Power Platform (Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate) - Python - SQL - DAX - Excel VBA - Excel Formulas - Time Management - Presenting - Communication - Teamworking - Agile Development There are also other things which I developed which are more personal such as my confidence and belief in my work and knowledge of what I am able to do but also what things I would need assistance with. These things I definitely didn't realise I needed to develop, and I am so glad I did

I was given a major project right off the bat which was handed over to me by a previous student. Whilst it wasn't business critical, for someone who had just started within the previous fortnight it was massive. Everything we do (aside from a couple initial case study trainings) impacts the business in some way - such as automating a complicated process or developing a new Template which has become standard across the company globally

A lot. There was definitely a little bit of hand holding for the first month, because all the new placement students had not used power platform. And we received so much support in the training of those skills. However even after that, everyone was more than willing to help if you asked for it. Even if you needed support from someone completely unrelated to your role they were willing to hop onto a call to help.

In IT specifically, it is so great to work here. Everyone is super friendly and willing to help you even if what you need help with isn't related to their roles. Even if people don't know how to do it they are more than likely to be able to point you in the direction of someone who can help. This even goes beyond IT, for example if you contact someone out of the blue about something chances are they are going to either give advice or often even hop onto a call to further discuss the issue you might be having. Everyone in IT is very nice and chill and understanding if you are having a problem with something.

I really enjoyed the placement. I enjoyed the work as it allowed me to see how things would work as a non-programmer, I also enjoyed working with everyone in the IT team as well as the people I worked with outside of the IT team. I really enjoy the culture of work at PepsiCo (which I know changed after the pandemic). And if given the opportunity I would definitely go back to PepsiCo after I graduate in uni

Yes

When applying/doing assessment centres do not think that PepsiCo wants you to slave away doing overtime everyday to get projects done. We consider that poor time management (especially after all the initiatives for work/life balance done after the pandemic) - not to mention in this role you don't get paid overtime! PepsiCo isn't worried about you not having the skills right at the start. We are more interested in your willingness to learn and potential to develop your skills. For interviews, if you are worried about clothing attire, keep in mind that whilst we definitely prefer smart casual in general, it is better to be overdressed than underdressed, and adjust accordingly afterwards. Also when doing interviews and such - make sure that you REMOVE competing products from visibility. It shows a lack of attention to detail and people have been rejected because of that as we do notice.