Machine Design and Development Engineer Review

by Caterpillar

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4.1/5
  • The Role
    4.2
  • The Company
    4.0
  • The Culture
    4.0

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

    • Plenty of variation in the day-to-day activities I did, which has helped make my first experience of full-time work easier.

    4/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • The company is very inclusive, at no point have I felt like a "temporary" employee. To what extent you are valued depends on your ability, if you work hard, in my experience you are quickly respected by the other employees.

    4/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • At the beginning of the placement I shadowed a young engineer to learn the intricacies of the company, since then I have had little need of guidance. However it has always been readily available.

    4/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • The nature of my role involves periods of high work load and then at times it drops off a little. At times it has almost been overwhelming but if there is often someone available to help you out, or over-time to be negotiated.

    5/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • I have been very surprised by the amount of responsibility I have been given, for the last nine months of my placement I have been co-ordinating projects of increasing size and importance. The value of these to the company is very high and the risk is even higher.

    5/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • The skills I have picked up this year will be of great use to me in the future in both a personal and professional capacity. Most of which do not directly build upon what I have been learning in my academic studies.

    4/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • Always friendly, with a large variety of people, some from overseas.

    4/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • Prior to my start date the initial contact and organisation was left a little later than I would have liked. However sinc then, everything has been very well arranged.

    4/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • On top of the compulsory learning courses on insider trading and conflicts of interest, I have had training on how to operate a Backhoe Loader. The rest of the training is on the job.

    4/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • Sports and Social Club

    Financial Bonus

    Company Parties/Events

    Above 25 days holiday
    4/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • Currently awaiting a contract for a permanent position.

    5/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

    • There are a number of other graduates/interns at the company with regular sports events and some office nights out.

    4/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • Average for North England/Midlands

    4/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • Leicester has two universities, so their is ample bars/clubs.

    4/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • Yes plenty, provided you are willing to travel a little.

    4/5
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Details

Placement (10 Months+)

Accounting, Mechanical Engineering

East Midlands

June 2013

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