Opel/Vauxhall IT Planning Analyst Review

It took a while to settle into my responsibilties, similar to all jobs, it has highs and lows. The majority of which have been high. I was given real responsibility and support by colleagues. Some work became competitive over time, however if I asked for explore an area of the business I had interest in, my team would make it possible for me to do so. The undergraduate community is great. The fact I had European based roles means the scope of my placement was extended, giving me the opportunity to get involved in global initiatives.

My team supported me through out my placement year, if I had any questions or queries, I felt comfortable addressing them with my team. I was given real responsibility from the start, and it grew as the placement went on.

I had fortnightly 1 to 1 meetings with manager, as well as weekly meetings with another member of my team in Germany. I had the choice to have a seperate mentor in the company who was unrelated to my role giving me the opportunity to express any concerns I had and support if needed. However I never really needed to use them as my team was sufficient.

My workload increased as the year went on. I was given more responsibility and got invovled in new projects out of my original scope. I found that sometimes my job was quiet and I had to go hunting for new projects. However there is plenty out there to find and get invovled in, so this wasn't an issue.

Similar to my workload, my responsibility increased over the course of the year, including developing a portal for all new European-based IT colleagues. Whereas, at the beginning of the year I had a lot more support in my projects, this began to tail-off as I became more confident in my role. However I could still ask questions when needed. I would of liked to have a bit more responsibilities in transformation projects so I could feel like I was making a bit more of an impact on the organisation.

The skills I developed on my placement year have greatly helped me in the future. My organisation, time-keeping and teamwork skills have all benefited from this year.

The atmosphere is my office was relaxed and chatty, there was a good balance of work and conversation which broke up the day nicely.

The two-week induction period allowed us to transition into the company seamlessly, so we not only understood our role, but all areas of the business and how different departments impact on the business.

As I ran the training programme for IT colleagues in Europe, it meant I knew exactly what was on offer from the company. Vauxhall offer internal web-based training, as well as access to language programmes, classroom training and soft skill support (e.g.time keeping, presentation skills).

Unfortunately Vauxhall don't take on graduates on a huge scale, but your placement year is seen as a 'year long interview', so if you do well, chances are you could be invited back for an assessment centre.

As there were 60 undergraduates based in Luton, we would go out in big groups, organising social events such as pub golf, parties at the mansion (one of the houses undergrads stay in during their year) as well as lighter events such as christmas parties.

I lived at home during my placement year, but still was included in all social events we organised as undergrads.

Luton isn't great, but you have to remember you're not far from St Albans, Watford and even London, so it has its pros and cons.

Vauxhall lead an undergraduate community project where undergrads go out into schools and teach kids about engineering and business.