This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
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The Role
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The Company
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The Culture
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
- 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
- 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
- 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
- 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
- 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
- 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
- 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
- 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
- 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
- 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
- 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
The Role
You get to experience a real life working where no one treats you like a student, everyone is nice, and the work is not boring and very interesting.
I didn't know anyone, but after 2-3 weeks, I got to know more then 100 people in the organisation. Now I know 80% of the staff working for NHS Westminster
For the first 2-3 weeks, someone will always be with you. However everyone in HR department is helpful. At times I approached the head of HR to check my work to see if it’s correct. So no matter who the person is, everyone is willing to help you.
At times it can be busy as you will be dealing with 6-7 jobs a day at other times 1-2, you do more then one thing, CRB checks, I.D. attending chief executive briefing.
I was in charge of all CRB checks, all I.D.s for Westminster PCT, as I only know the user name and password as we had a new system in place and also I first point of contact for recruitment. All queries with managers come through me and then passed on to others.
Westminster PCT helped me improve my skills by letting me go on training courses, I completed full ECDL course, which is accepted in whole of Europe and New Zealand. Different types of training to help improve personal development. If I was not placement I would of done NVQ's and masters degree. I learnt how recruitment process works in Westminster Primary Care Trust and experience working life 9am to 5pm
The Company
Its fun being in the office, as the HR has the whole office to its self. We all put in money to buy food for the department, so we can crab a snack while working. We talk while as no one else is around expect for your colleagues.
I thought it would be boring, but its not, its very interesting and would recommend everyone to take placement year while you’re at university. You get full responsibility like everyone else.
Full advanced ECDL course, minutes taking course, full induction week with lunch, presentation skills. I got discount on gifts, 20% Nandos in UK, NHS discounts, 3g mobile 25% discount, Microsoft package for £5 and 33 days annual leave including 8 Bank holidays.
Flexi Time
Sports and Social Club
Subsidised/Company Gym
Company Parties/Events
Staff Sales/Staff Shop
Above 25 days holiday
Healthcare from home
They will offer me a job after graduation however it depends on work circumstances. It should be easy to get a job with other PCT sites as you gained knowledge of how the PCT runs as organisation. I know got a job with Hounslow PCT.
The Culture
Everyone is perfect in the PCT, everyone is helpful and treats you like an employee not as a student. I enjoyed working with everyone. Most of my colleagues I do not work direct, they are employed buy work in different departments. You gain contacts with different managers in different departments. For example, when I first started I had my induction with Chief executive for Westminster PCT.
There are so many resturants near by, nandos, KFC, small resutrants and high street. Not far from Bond Street.
You got Boys/ girls football team, health promotions team offering competition and prizes, complimentary massage occupational health.
Details
London
August 2009