Information Manager Review

Providing digital solutions for information management and adopting new tools to help people, processes, and technology advance to become more digitally mature in the Engineering sector. I help with training clients and users on newly developed tools, as well ashelping with their development. I also manage some admin tasks for HS2, where I'm responsible for updating the org chart and for granting access permissions on the ProjectWise CDE.

I’ve been able to develop my soft skills such as presenting, as well as project specific skills like coding. For my presenting, I’ve been given several opportunities to show new processes through training recordings or live demonstrations of tools to help with training or winning new work. This also includes the production of professional slides to accompany. We also have weekly team meetings that allowed me to deliver a brief presentation on a chosen topic. I’ve been involved in some low-level coding exercises in the form of Automated flows on the SafetIbase project, and have also been attending “coding club” lunchtime sessions. Recently we’ve adopted Datacamp, so I’ve been able to upskill through this too. My timekeeping and professionalism have also been imporved; juggling many different projects, settling into a routine of managing priorities whilst always meeting a deadline.

I was given great responsibilities, especially on client-facing projects, but always had support to reach out to if needed. I've been responsible for training sessions, product development and user access control as a part of major infrastructure projects, which has allowed me to develop my technical skills as well as my soft skills. Throughout the placement I have been treated as a permanent employee and so have been able to get involved with in-depth, significant tasks.

I had an abundance of support throughout the year, from both my line manager and project teams. For technical knowledge, the whole team was available to reach out to and assist for across any project work, but there was also support for me to decide what sectors I wanted to get involved with, and what I personally wanted to get out of the placement. For example I expressed an interest in developing my coding skills, and improving my public speaking, and so I was assigned projects that allowed me to pursue these. I've also been able to get involved with courses (such as ISO19650) and with non-project initiatives such as Social Outcomes and Sustainability, adding to my portfolio and preparing for chartership.

The company culture is great - the work ethic is high but there is still an emphasis on teambuilding and socialising amongst the team. The team regularly has informal lunch trips or post-work events to give colleagues a chance to catch up and discuss project work or personal life, so there's a great balance. There is a real focus on social outcomes within the team, so all projects are assessed with an eye for bettering the community. It's a great environment to work in.

I’ve really enjoyed it! I would definitely recommend to others (and actively have!) I learn well in a hands-on environment, so it’s been refreshing and exciting to be involved with meaningful work whilst picking up these skills. I’m treated like a full-time employee and am given responsibility whilst still having support to turn to if I find myself stuck or falling short of the required standard. The placement has been a great insight to the workings of the industry that uni doesn't necessarily provide, and gives you a chance to put learnt skills into practice to deliver a high standard of work.

Yes

Don't be afraid to express your interests in new or existing initiatives, since this is an environment where they are actively listening and looking for areas of improvement. Get suck in to as many bits of work as you can, since your placement is your opportunity to absorb information and get used to working life. The more you put in, the more you get out