TfL E&T Summer Placement Review

My placement was with Intelligent Transport Systems - a multidisciplinary team, but I was given telecoms tasks because I expressed my interest in the application. I was given projects that lasted a few weeks and sometimes smaller tasks day-to-day. Larger projects include: exploring options for a virtual passenger help point, and writing a script to poll CCTV cameras for usage data. It involved research, writing emails, organising meetings with people across the business, and a presentation. There were also occasional site visits and training courses e.g. Woolwich Ferry and train depots, carbon literacy.

I have improved my presentation skills, planning, research, communication, initiative and networking. They provided several useful courses: cyber security awareness, carbon literacy, carbon modelling, effective data visualisation. I learnt some technical skills due to my work i.e. simple network management protocol, xml formatting, python APIs, network structures etc.

Understandably not anything critical, but a lot more than I expected. I was left to complete relevant tasks on my own. e.g. They intended to use my python script to monitor their CCTV network after I left. I was also asked to present my mobile help point concept design to engineering leadership - an amazing opportunity to meet very senior employees. And it wasn't just 'something for the intern to do' as at the time they were in the beginning stages of planning an update to the existing passenger help points across the TfL network. The project was aimed at helping customers with impairment get access to assistance easily.

You're assigned a placement manager, placement sponsor, and line manager. Placement manager is point of contact for your team (so assigns tasks). Your sponsor manages your induction, and assigns placements. Line manager handles annual leave etc. and your placement objectives. Everyone is very supportive and willing to help make the most of your time. Reponses are very quick and you're not confined to just these 3 people - my whole team were happy to answer questions and introduce me to what projects they were working on.

A relaxed atmosphere and healthy company culture with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. The workspaces were modern and comfortable. Flexible work from home policy where majority of people do 2 days a week.

There was disorganisation throughout the placement that started from the application process. This resulted in a rushed start so they didn't have time to plan our induction properly, or get the teams we'd be placed in up to speed. So it was a slow start. Once they had tasks for me to do about 1.5-2 weeks in, I had a much better experience.

Yes

Be prepared for an online assessment centre - involves a group interview, personal interview and presentation. You'll need a good microphone, webcam and internet connection so others can hear you clearly. Recommend you use headphones with a mic instead of external speakers because they can echo. The presentation brief is purposefully vague so don't be phased if you don't know where to start from straight away.