HR Placement Student Review

I loved my placement - My target was to gain in-depth industry exposure. I was flexible to work on projects that I had an interest in but was also exposed to projects/scenarios that my Manager wanted me to look into both for experience and business requirements.

I got on well with my colleagues, its important to remember that as a placement student you need to adapt to the office environment regardless of wherever you undertake a placement. I did not struggle with this, everybody valued my work and me as an individual. My department had people from a number of different age ranges too which was nice to work with. Suprisingly I got on better with the older members of staff!

Support and guidance was offered as and when required. If I did not understand something I was more than happy to ask and everyone was more than accomodating.

In the first couple of weeks I didnt have a crazy amount of work but this is expected as a new starter. However, at times my work load was too heavy, in which case I had to learn to turn work away. My department we're more than accomodating if I needed assistance with any work, likewise I was with them.

I was given an incredible amount of responsibility when I was on placement. My manager and colleagues felt that I was more than competant in my ability to perform on the job and for this reason they trusted me with a number of projects with minimal supervision. I owned a number of processes too which I was the first point of contact for which was demanding but very rewarding!

The skills I developed on placement are priceless, the amount of training I recieved wasnt extensive as the majority of the training I required was on the job.

Everyone was always really friendly. The office atmosphere wasn't boring as such but when work needed to be done everyone in my office had their head down as expected (including myself).

I think with my placement a structure wasn't really required. Within the first two weeks I worked on an improvement project for the Exit Interview process for company leavers. From then onwards I gradually had an involvement in a number of different processes/projects. I was given work to do and I simply got on with it, whilst supporting my team with their work and finally using my own initative to work on a task as and when required.

Training was offered e.g. site specific training, six sigma training etc. A lot of my training was on-site.

The company will invest in you as much as you invest in it during your placement year. Cummins offers a bursary scheme which can fund you through your final year of uni. If you are lucky to get this you are asked to come back for a summer internship the following year.

Social scene wasn't too bad for the location. Most evenings I was at the gym with some of the placement students and I was home on the weekends.

Cheap.

Not bad for the location. I only went out on work do's - as I said I went home most weekends due to commitments outside of work.

Several sports/social clubs. Employee are very friendly!