Maintenance Engineer Review

The power station was still being built by another company, this left the maintenance team with very little authority and not much to do. Subsequently this transferred on to me, and apart from tasks I set myself there was very little work. A culture of apathy had set in at the power station due to the delays in building and I found it difficult to motivate myself in this environment.

I think I was more of a burden than anything else, seen as someone that had been sent from head office and had to be given work rather than a valuable asset that could be utilised.

My manager was reasonably happy to impart his knowledge with me, but that said he was not prepared to take a student until the last minute which made things informal and sometimes unorganised

I had to create my own work and pester for more things to do

None, I literally had no responsability at all

This placement was often a lesson in futility and frustration but I did receive an insight into the industry, the company and working life as a whole. This is the valuable thing that I will be able to take away and is something I value quite strongly. When I first applied to Centrica I thought the engineers would be an integral part of the business, unfortunately I know think they are considered a necessary evil by the managers and finance people who utilise their output

Apathy and insecurity, people were generally demotivated and sometimes could be quite

The accomodation was provided but I subsequently lived alone all summer, I would much rather have had an input into my living arrangements or just organised them myself. Travel was expensive due to the isolated location and it was a real hassle claiming back expenses

The company always push the idea of self development and employability, in this way it was quite selfless. I would, however, have much rather spent my time actually working, I feel the employability skills should be a biproduct and not the main focus of a placement

I am continuing on to do a phd, I now know I dont want to work for this company

Unfortunately I was placed so far from everyone else the social life was non-existent, many people were based in a more central location and could have a different experience. I feel it would be important in the future for the engineers to be placed in two's or three's

There was no one living in the flat I was given and no other placement students within 4hrs drive

Plymouth is a fun city, generally has good bars and a vibrant night life

I made my own entertainment out of work