Internal Auditor Review

Loved it. I don't really want to leave... do I have to go back to Uni?!

As the first placement student in my team, some colleagues weren't sure what to expect from me. Some had very low standards of a placement students and therefore didn't think I was capable of completing some tasks on my own. This was a very small number of colleagues!

There is a huge support network set up for placement students. You have a line manager just like every other colleague in the business; a buddy who is there for any 'silly' questions you may have; the graduates - a group of colleagues on the graduate scheme who help bridge the gap between University and ASDA.

I was ALWAYS busy EVERYDAY! This is a fast paced industry and isn't for the faint hearted. You need to be able to grasp concepts quickly and have the gutts to move forward on your own... maybe with a little push from your colleagues!

I was very surprised at the amount of responsibility I was given. 5 months in to my 12 month placement I was sent around the country completing store visits on my own for two and a half weeks. I gathered all the information for a piece of work the team was doing and put the majority of the report together myself. Now THAT is responsibility!

I don't think there will be a direct impact on the subjects that I study at University. However, I have gained a healthy work ethic which I will continue in my final year. Hopefully!

It is always buzzing at Asda House. The atrium (inbetween the two office wings at Asda House, always has games, freebies and competitions being held by colleagues, suppliers and charities which are always fun. There's tonnes going across Asda and within each function (i.e. Finance) including sport and other social events.

As one of the first 12 month students, the placement wasn't extremely well prepares. With this said, I have been involved in the induction for next year's placement students and it is much better - Asda have definitely learnt from last year!

Asda hire for attitude and train for skill. To this end, they focus heavily on your technical training and skills as well as the softer skills you wish to develop yourself. Your career aspirations are at the forefront of all conversations and your managers are always on the lookout for a suitable promotion for you - if you want it! The key thing is to remember that YOU drive your own development. Opportunities don't just land on your desk. So don't get jealous of people who get to do something you want to do - they probably asked if it when you didn't! And when you do get those opportunities, grab them by the horns and make sure you learn something from the experience.

After an interview at about 11 months into my placement, I have now been offered a place on the Asda Finance Graduate Scheme to start in 2014... I still have to finish Uni and get a 2:1 though!

There is only one other 12 month placement student at Asda finance so we spent a lot of our time with the summer interns and graduates on the finance graduate scheme. Every year we have an away day together which usually involves a few days of team activities and competitions which is always very fun!

Leeds is a great city with a vast amount of accommodation (with varying prices) suitable for a vast range of people. There's something for everyone! And there are great transport links via bus or train.

As a city with four Universities, there is a huge number of places to go on a night out and they are all student prices :) don't get me wrong, there are expensive places too but you will be able to find somewhere affordable!

Charity work has a huge emphasis at Asda. With this said, they don't force you into anything you don't want to do. However much time or money your can spare is enough! It's a very rewarding part of working at Asda and a great way to mix with other colleagues and people within the community.