Industrial Placement Review

The role at the beginning of the placement involves the managing of a store both on the shop floor and within the office to ensure a smooth operation at all times. Having the chance to work as an assistant store manager gave me the opportunity to carry out tasks such as the ordering of stock, producing rota's, conducting date checks, working pallets on the shop floor and managing the day-to-day operations. As the placement progresses, the role is to undertake regional projects for the business. This involves communication with a number of different departments within the business such as property and logistics and also formal presentations to directors where findings of the projects and recommendations are shared.

Through completing the placement I feel that I have developed a wide variety of skills both professional and personal. By working in a number of different teams, both in store and at head office, effective communication has been essential to achieving positive results and I feel that through the experience gained on placement being able to streamline feedback to colleagues has enabled me to achieve these hugely positive results. Another skill that I feel has developed considerably due to the placement role is resilience as working 50 hours a week with shifts ranging from 5am to 10pm has required the ability to never give up and always strive to achieve the best I possibly can.

From the very start of the placement the role requires you to take on a huge amount of responsibility through operating as an assistant store manager. Undertaking this role meant that I was responsible for managing a store team which consists of around 25 staff members on a day to day basis. Having the responsibility of running the store meant that I was responsible for the opening and closing of the store, operating the safe and carrying out the banking processes.

When beginning my placement year I was assigned a mentor who is a current Area Manager for the business and would therefore have me as a placement student for the entire year. Having this contact within the business from the first day allowed me to share my thoughts and feelings throughout the process to ensure that at all times I was excelling within my role. My mentor provided me with feedback at multiple stages throughout the placement which enabled me to push myself and improve upon areas highlighted by them. I feel that at all times my mentor provided support and guidance when needed and due to this I feel that I have developed a huge amount.

The company culture and atmosphere is something that as a placement student you are immediately immersed into from day one. The business operates a tightly run operation and therefore all staff are expected to work hard and strive to be the best that they can be within their role whether that is in store or within head office. During my placement I had the opportunity to help organise and run a charity football tournament which enabled me to see another aspect of the business and to get involved in other areas and to meet new people.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement year with the business as it has allowed me to develop both professionally and personally. Although it has been challenging in some aspects the rewards have been far greater and I am thankful that I encountered these challenges as it has only developed me further. The experiences that I have been lucky enough to encounter far surpassed my original expectations of the placement and I have experienced so much throughout the year. Accepting the placement has definitely been one of the best decisions I have ever made and I am thankful for the opportunity to work for such a great business.

Yes

'Say yes to everything'. I think this is definitely a placement that you get out of it what you put into it and therefore by saying yes to every opportunity given to you will enable you to achieve the best experience and results possible. Having the opportunities that other placement students will not have is what will make you stand out when having that final meeting with your regional managing director and will give you unique memories of your placement year.