Supply Chain - Placement Student Review

Daily, I maintain the BI Workspace, updating reports as per user requests, creating new reports and ensure everything is running smoothly. I also work on several different projects. This has involved being a project leader but also a good team player in other projects to help get the work done. Other miscellaneous tasks include, supplying data upon request for colleagues, testing for new development within the business and assisting colleagues with large workloads.

I had never used Microsoft Power BI before my placement but now, I can build reports and dashboards with ease. I have developed my project management skills. I am also working on my CSP certification. Alongside these hard skills, I have also developed my soft skills greatly including communication, presentation, teamwork, problem solving and independent working.

Yes, I was given the responsibility of leading two high value projects ensuring that deadlines are met as well as communicating progress of the projects. I also have the responsibility of maintaining the BI Workspace, I work with colleagues daily on new requests for reports and we a working to continuously improve the reports we have.

I work alongside my manager regularly however, I also complete many tasks independently. For me, this has worked well as I have been able to develop my independent working. When I run into any problems there is multiple people I can turn to for guidance. It took a while to know who to go to, but everyone I approached for help has been very helpful. Within my first few weeks, I also had 1-1's with colleagues to understand their job roles.

Excellent, Cummins is a very diverse company also working hard to become more environmentally friendly. Charity events are taken seriously and time is taken out of working hours to assist with charity events. We also have events such as Move Europe which encourages everyone to get moving for a month as a competition. We also have team meetings to socialise and share work problems, achievements and challenges.

I have loved every second of my placement. The team I work within have been very inclusive and have trusted me with difficult tasks from day 1. This has massively helped to grow my confidence! My workload is just right, I don't have masses of work that makes me stressed but also don't have a lack of work that leaves me with nothing to do. There have still been times where I have become stressed due to having to meet deadlines but this is a part of the role and a bit of pressure doesn't hurt!

Yes

Be yourself in the interview. Be confident. Don't shy away from new tasks. Be happy to chuck yourself in at the deep end. Always just give it a go.