Desktop Support Review

I have had a fantastic year. I have gained real experience of how a large company functions and the processes they follow. I've been involved with, and managed my own projects.

Everyone is really friendly, not just at the site I work at, but every site I have travelled to. I like the fact that you can talk to everyone, no matter who they are or their job, everyone is willing to listen and help.

My manager has been brilliant. He has been available to give advice and answer questions when needed. From the day I started I have been trusted to do my job. I also had a meeting with him every fortnight to monitor my progress and ask any questions.

At first jobs took longer to complete because I was still learning, although I didn't feel too overwhelmed because there was a 2 month hand-over period between myself and the previous pacement student. I learnt very quickly how best to organise myself and manage my time, obviously some days are more busy then others, but that's the same in every job. The best thing was, if I ever felt that I was struggling to keep on top of my work load, I could simply ask my manager for some advice. He helped me prioritise, and when needed he even got someone to help me.

Within my first month working for Caterpillar, I was asked to help out on an IT Security Project, this was extremely important and I was given tasks to complete on a daily basis. I found that the project team asked for my input and advice on a regular basis, I was never ignored and never given insignificant tasks to complete. Even on a daily basis, I am able to come to work and do my job.

My university course involves a large amount of project work, I will definately be more prepared for that when I return. It's not just my technicial skills that have developed whilst on placement, I have developed as a person. A year as a placement will most certainly help me when I finish university.

We talk about work and are serious when we need to be, but overall, a day in the office is always funny. Everyone has a brilliant sense of humour.

When I started, everything was all set up and ready to go. A meeting had been arranged at another site for all the students to get together, learn about the job role, introduce managers and have Dominos for dinner!

I have done quite a lot of training during my placement!

I haven't got a job yet, but there is still time. Even if I don't get a job with Caterpillar, I have a lot to put on my CV.

We all went go-karting when we first started, this was brilliant! We have meetings every two weeks and this is a good chance to catch up with work and socially. When I've visited other sites, there has usually been a social event with the staff there.

The cost of living isn't great for anyone at the moment, but this placement is a good salary which helps! It has been difficult to see my friends at times, some of them stayed at University and some moved far away for their placement, but we managed to get together several times throughout the year.

It was okay, but not great. Then again, I didn't go out much as I was working.

Yes! Archery, Go-Karting, Sky-diving, Badminton...the list goes on!