Summer Placement Review

by Atkins

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

Rating

4/5
  • The Role
    4.6
  • The Company
    3.9
  • The Culture
    3.1

    The Role

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

    • I had a great time. It was hard, full on work, with rarely a spare moment but the office was brilliant to work in!

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

    • I felt really included in everything. The flat hierarchy at Atkins meant that I could voice my opinion and didn't feel like the tea boy at all.

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

    • Everyone in the office was really approachable and happy to answer any questions that I had. There is a real emphasis on everyone learning and then sharing their knowledge. I didn't really have any experience or knowledge of structures before starting, all of my questions (no matter how basic) were answered thoroughly so that I understood trhe answer. The senior engineers were happy to take time out to explain things with diagrams or models which was great.

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

    • The office was never short of work so i was always busy which I liked. There were loads of projects going on, so whilst I had a major role in 2 of them I was always helping out with oters on little sub-jobs. The hours were long and working weekends wasn't out of the question but I was paid overtime.

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

    • The internship was a 'get thrown in at deep end' experience which was daunting at first but I found that I had to and did learn so much more that way. Also you realise that knowing absolutely everything isn't a hindrance, it makes it a bit more fun! I ran a sub-task and combined with the 2 other placement students, we ran two projects which was fantastic.

    4/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • The main skill I learnt was taking a professional approach to work and being organised. In my studies I always approached things with a 'Just Get It Done' attitude which doesn't work in an office as it has to be done well. The structural theory that I have learned will definitely help too.

    5/5

    The Company

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

    • We all worked hard, the banter was good and people were great.

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

    • The senior guys had organised it so that I would work on a variety of prjects to really give me a good idea of what the office does which was superb.

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

    • Everything I needed was provided, from supports to raise up my computer screens to travel costs as well as being included in the graduate chartership meetings. The only issue that I had, was that I felt that sometimes the Aberdeen office got preferential treatment with their grad schgeme compared to Edinburgh

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

    • Flexi Time

    Subsidised/Company Gym

    Company Parties/Events
    5/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • I have an assessment centre still to do I'm not going to give it a 10 but I'd lobve to come back and work here.

    4/5

    The Culture

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

    • The social scene wasn't brilliant to be honest, we had a few office nights out but nothing regular. The office is quite new, so as more graduates come in that should change.

    3/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • Edinburgh is quite pricey, especially during the festival

    3/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • Edinburgh is great and during the festival it get's better there is always something on

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

    • The edinurgh office is a satellite office for the main one in ABerdeen so all of the activities are up there. I could have got involved but the hassle of travelling was a bit much

    3/5
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Details

Internship (1 Month+)

Civil Engineering

Scotland

August 2013

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