Merchandise Assistant Review

I never went to work thinking 'oh no I've got work today', and although the work was very admin based, there was enough scope to get involved with other aspects of the team that I worked in.

Everyone was so friendly, and really made me feel welcome - a lot of people forgot I was leaving after the year! Everyone is really approachable and tries to help out if you're stuck.

You have personal objectives to set throughout the year and these you think of yourself. The support I got was good, but it might have been more helpful at the start to be pushed a bit more, and to be explained all the opportunities available to me.

Working on the Jewellery team is different to majority of the other departments as we have a presence in store, so there was a lot more work focused on that compared to other MA roles within the business. There's always something to be getting on with!

I was given a lot of responsibility from the start - a few weeks into starting the placement I had to present some figures to senior management which was scary, but I'm glad my line manager pushed me to do it. Throughout the year I gained much more responsibility, and ended up 'owning' certain jobs (i.e. I would be the go-to girl about anything to do with online)

I learnt so much through my placement year, and I really think Argos certainly is a work placement to be considered. The skills I've learnt - how to communicate & time management will certainly help with my final year of uni, and will definitely stand me in good stead for getting a job once I graduate!

It was quite laid back, but everyone still got on with the work they were doing. Everyone is really friendly, and there is a lot of office banter, as you're always conversing with other team members and other departments around the business.

I think the work placement was set up quite well. As we were the first proper year of placements there is obviously room for improvement, for example, at the start it was a bit disorganised as to what we were meant to be doing. However, I was lucky enough to have a substantial handover with another MA which really helped me. They throw you in a bit at the deep end, but personally I think this is the best way to learn.

On the last Friday of every month they have sessions that you can sign up to that will improve your skill sets - i.e. negotiation skills, communication skills etc. I also organised doing a bit of work shadowing with other areas of the business (obviously by agreement of your line manager) but it allowed me to see if there are other aspects of the workplace I'm interested in, which I think was good.

I would definitely be interested in working back at Argos. There's a great work culture and as I've already completed a years training there, it will really help at progressing a bit more quickly.

When we got there, I asked to be put in contact with all the other placement students and any other graduates that had started recently. I then organised a lunchtime where we all met up, and many of us have remained friends since! As I said, everyone is really approachable and most people are always up for a night out/drinks after work on a Friday!

I wouldn't say the cost of living was cheap, but then it depends what luxuries you want. Myself and another placement student rented a nice flat, and once bills were added on ate into your salary, however I never felt like I was struggling at all. You work out the cheaper nights/places to go on nights out - just like anywhere else really!

The nightlife in Milton Keynes is pretty good, there are a lot of bars. In terms of clubs there are only a couple, but are both within close vicinity of the bars, so you can wander between them all, and have a good night out!

To be honest, I don't know whether there were many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work - I know there are classes you can go to, i.e. football, dance etc. There are notice boards in the office advertising these, and I'm sure there is volunteer work you can get involved with too - just look about!