European Retailer Specialist Review

I really enjoyed the European role, I got to work with managers across all of GM European network. The exposure I gained from this has been really helpful and it certainly tested and developed my communication skills. My team has been really supportive throughout, working with them has been great fun, I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to work with for the year! On the whole my experience of the job role has been very positive, it has helped a lot with my self development and has allowed me to improve a host of skills.

The wider team always send me work they need me to do and I have taken on a lot of extra projects whilst working within the role. I definitely feel valued by all members of the team!

My managers and team where really supportive. There was always someone available and willing to help if I needed it.

I have had a lot of work to do whilst being on placement. The load has been manageable, however it does die down to the end of the month. It is important to get involved in extra projects within the team as this keeps the year fresh and interesting each week.

I had a lot of responsibility. Many of the reports I had ownership of were being presented to top tier management in weekly review meetings.

The skills I have developed whilst working in the role will be invaluable in the future, I would rank them above those I have developed within University.

The atmosphere within my team was really good. There are only 3-4 of you there in the week so you become very close. As for the wider office I couldn't really comment as my role did not involve me interacting with other UK based departments.

The "work placement or internship set up" is organised by an undergraduate so the experience you have is depended upon who is in charge. My experience left room for improvement as the two week handover felt more like a chance for the existing undergraduates to celebrate there leaving rather than introduce the new undergraduates to there future roles. You do however spend time with the person you are replacing across the two weeks and this was really beneficial to the whole year. I would say that a lot of the problems that emerged in hand-over have since been changed so future intakes should not experience them, despite this I think the overall organisation of elements such as housing was very poorly organised.

There is a variety of training on offer, you have to participate in compulsory excel training courses which are really useful. Outside of this there is extra training you can choose to do.

I would definitely consider returning to the organisation, however due to the nature of the role I have been in it would have be based in Germany where the majority of the team are.

The intake of undergraduates is really high so something is always going on.

I paid £270 a month in rent which is pretty cheap compared to my university accommodation. Considering how close you are to London its very affordable.

Its in no way a University town despite Bedfordshire University having a campus in the center. Having said this if you are prepared to travel into London there is far more to do, however you will pay the premium to do so.

There are a lot of opportunities to do charity events.