Commercial IP Review

Working at PSA Peugeot Citroen exceeded my expectations with a lot of responsibility and challenges from day 1 and great support from the HR team and departments which I worked in too. I enjoyed the work that I did and was given regular opportunities to demonstrate my skills and there was also pleanty of fun & rewards for all the hard work.

I worked with some lovely people accross the organisation and became integrated in to both of the teams that I did 6 month placements in.

Support and guidance varied between the teams that I worked in with different cultures in both teams. However managers were willing to find some time to give you extra guidance if needed and if they were unable to do so in the necessary timescale there was normally another team member who would help out.

Work load varied a lot. In my first 6 months I was given enough work to do but managed it at my own pace, whereas my second 6 month placement was very very busy at times and then occasional quiet periods.

From day 1 at the organisation a lot of responsibility was given which was great as it really stretched and challenged me and meant that I've learnt a huge amount throughout my year. In particular in my second placement a manager in my team left so helping to cover the work load bought alot of responsibility which was a great learning experience.

I've learned a huge amount which will be invaluable for graduate jobs and future career paths such as prioritising tasks, working with others and working under pressure.

Being a car company there's always lots of exciting events and promotions going on. Involvement would vary according to departments that I worked in, however there was lots of things to get involved with. Most people at the company are very friendly and the atmosphere in the office is quite relaxed with an appropriate degree of formality.

Excellent process joining the placement scheme from the interview process through to starting at the company. The most invaluable part was the pre-induction before starting the job and the induction week where all placement students got to know each other before starting their new job in their departments, this really helped to form a support network going forward.

Quarterly training days were organised which were held by an external coach which was useful to share experiences and build relationships and skills which could be used not only in the placement but in future careers too. However I did not have any job specific training, it was much more on-the-job.

Placements offer a great insight in to the company and whether you'd like to work there going forwards as well as giving the company a chance to assess you for a year and see if they'd like you to work their in the future. However with the car industry in Europe declining opportunities may be restricted.

There's a lot of trainees in the company, not just placement students! French and English trainees work across the business and there's a very good social scene amoungst them with lots happening outside of work as well as socialising with other colleagues at departmental or team events too.

Costs of living alone would have been quite high however house shares meant living costs were reasonably good.

Nightlife in Coventry itself was limited but fine for pubs & a few bars. Better nights out for bars & clubs normally meant going to Leamington a 20 min taxi ride away or Birmingham which is 30 mins on the train.

There was a few sporting activities which you could get involved with outside of work if wished as well as CSR opportunities, however on the whole socialising activities outside of work were organised by trainees.