Student Process Engineer Review

Although the factory environment can be challenging, I really enjoyed my placement. The support functions I had were fantastic, they allowed me to lead my own projects and pursue my own ideas which really built up my professional confidence. I was also given Lean Six Sigma greenbelt training, which has made me a valuable candidate for graduate positions not only in Mondelez, but any company.

I became very close to my colleagues and we all supported each other. Not only did they support me professionally, but I felt I could ask them anything.

There was a hierarchy of support and guidance. I had a local supervisor who I dealt with on a day to day basis, a placement supervisor from another part of the factory who monitored by progress monthly and I also had an opportunity to present my progress to senior management on a quarterly basis.

On the whole, I was extremely busy. Once I had found my feet I felt like they never touched the floor! Some days were busier than others, but overall the balance was perfect. On the occasions I worked a significant amount of overtime, I was given time in lieu.

I was in charge of my placement from the start. It was up to me to take initiative and be a self starter. I excel in that kind of environment so by the end of my placement I was leading my own projects. All the support systems are there, you just have to utilise them.

The training I received have made me a much more valuable graduate job candidate. I find myself applying a lot of the practical learnings in my projects in final year. I was a bit rusty on some of the hardcore theory coming back to university, but I expect you get that in any placement.

My office was in the factory, so you had to abide by food safety rules and wear full PPE to get to it. The people in my office were great fun and it was very social, however it was very dated compared to the newer offices outside the factory.

The guidance ans support mechanisms were very well organised. There were a few suggestions made that have now been integrated into the placement scheme.

If you were a competent employee and people trusted you weren't a waste of space, you could do almost any training you wanted. It just had to benefit your value to the company.

If you perform well, you can be given a conditional offer to return as a graduate.

I lived with the other students in my placement year. There were a few events set up by colleagues during the year but i wouldn't say the social seen was booming outside the student group.

Rent roughly £300 a month, you could go clubbing with £20 and have a great time.

I was placed in Birmingham which caters to almost anything that takes your fancy.

There was subsidised gym hat had regular challenges to complete, and we participated in 2 charity events.