Systems Student (Analyst) Review

I have found this year to be extremely enjoyable and beneficial. The role was challenging and came with a great deal of responsibility which I found to be surprising but a big advantage. The department offered a range of opportunities throughout the year which have given me a broader range of experience and allowed me to get involved with different tasks and work with different people.

I was treat as an integral part of the department and trusted with highly important tasks and given lead roles in many situations. The department has been able to rely upon me on many occasions and I have been treat as a full-time employee throughout.

My supervisor was always available and schedule alot of time together which allowed me to review my workload and also request different opportunities which my supervisor strived to get me involved with. In addition to the great support from my supervisor I have found that upper management/ executives have been very supportive to me as I have had the chance to work closely with the IT director.

I was able to manage my own workload this year and as I intended to gain much from the year I undertook all opportunites available. Towards the end of the year I found the work has piled up due to the amount I have been trusted with and also the accountable/ important roles I have been given in several projects....however I find this a challenge and beneficial.

The department has trusted me with running my own projects resulting in savings of over £200,000. Allowed me to make changes to process affecting the site. I was given a lead roll during testing and deployment of a major system upgrade which controllled the entire manufacturing within the plant and was responsible for ensuring the functionality in assigned areas. I am now the assistant site coordinator for a gloabal project which is a role not normally given to a student.

This year has been extremely benefical to me as I have acquired new knowledge and developed invaluable key skills and competencies: • Presentation and effective communication skills • Problem Solving and data analysis • Leadership and responsibility • Use of initiative and self motivation • Time management, organisation and prioritisation • A strategic attitude • Understanding of key business process, for example contingency and change management • More business aware I have also developed on a more personal level which I feel has firstly made me more prepared going into my final year of University as well as increasing my employability. • Confidence • Team working • Communication • Real Life Experience

Due to the major IT projects underway during my placement many people were busy and focussed on their roles within that. This left alot of work to be taken on allowing me to get involved in more areas and take on better roles.

There was structure at the beginning for the main generic IT duties however I wasnt really assigned projects at the beginning as I just seemed to take them on as they arose.

The company has a student program which involves an external trainign coming in for a 5 day training course which i found extremely beneficial. My department also assigned me a mentor which allowed to work on more personal development for example my presentation skills which have dramatically improved which enabled me to win their bursary award.

The director of the department has discussed my return as a graduate to the department however this is dependant on the 2011 budget meaning this cant be confirmed yet. However i have also been offered a job by the Assistant Plant Manager who was on the bursary panel who would like me to work within his department.

This wasnt as good as myself and others didnt live in the area meaing we didnt socialise alot outside of work. However with the range of charity and community events that we partake in for the company we have had the chance to take part in some fun events as a student group, for example the C2C cycle weekend.

As i only lived 40 miles from the cmpany i decided to live at home and travel in each day. This made it difficult to socialise in the area and also cost alot in fuel for travelling.

I only went out in the area once which i found to be very goo, maily due to the people from the company that attended. however i preferred to have my nights out in my home town of Newcastle which is much more lively.

As students we were encouraged to take part in a range of community and charity events, open days and university Events. I also attended seminars off-site for training purposes.