Summer Placement (soon to be changed to Intern) [John Lewis] Review

by John Lewis Partnership

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4.3/5
  • The Role
    4.3
  • The Company
    4.4
  • The Culture
    4.4

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

    • I thoroughly enjoyed my placement. I was given a lot of trust and responsibility and really felt I developed my management potential throughout the six weeks. The partners and all members of the management team were extremely friendly and helpful.

    5/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • John Lewis is extremely good at valuing its staff members and this really shines through when you work for the company. Everybody who worked at John Lewis Newcastle was very friendly towards me and would help and encourage me whenever and wherever they could.

    5/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • I was completely supported by all management members from the start of my placement. You are encouraged to work independently in order to evolve your management style but any questions or difficulties I had were always resolved my one or more members of the management team.

    4/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • This placement kept me very busy which I relished as I felt as by the end of week I had learnt a lot and got a lot from the experience. You never feel bored during the placement but at the same time you never feel overstressed as though you can’t manage everything. There is constant support on hand to help you out.

    5/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • You are given a lot of responsibility during the placement. From day one you are given the responsibility of a manger but you are also expected to act and behave as a manager whether you have had previous retail experience or not. During my placement all staff understood that I was at John Lewis Newcastle to gain management experience and throughout my placement I was given complete management respect. John Lewis takes care of and pride in the interns that they hire so they are more than happy to go the extra mile in order to help you develop.

    4/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • The placement experience will not help me directly with my degree as the subjects I study do not directly relate to retail. However I am confident that the placement will help me with future prospects. I have secured a Graduate Interview with John Lewis for future employment but at the same time the experience I had and what I learnt will no doubt help me with whichever career path I choose to take. John Lewis is a well respected retail company and therefore securing a placement such as this will be greatly recognised not only in the retail industry but other industries and graduate prospects alike.

    4/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • I was hardly in the office and most of your time is spent on the shop floor. I experienced a very happy and upbeat atmosphere at John Lewis Newcastle and I had a very good laugh with all partners.

    5/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • The placement is very well organised but at the end of your experience you also have the opportunity to express what you feel John Lewis could do better and what changes they should make to the placement.

    4/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • John Lewis invests a lot of time and money in helping you to develop. I met up with a Learning and Development coach and my department Manger on a weekly basis. I would often discuss how I well I was doing in the placement and how enjoyable the week had been. Any questions or concerns I had would often be resolved in these meetings. My manager and development coach would often praise my things I had done well and advice on how to improve areas I was struggling with. You are able to ask anyone from partners to the management team for help at any point in the placement.

    5/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • Subsidised Canteen

    Company Parties/Events
    4/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • They are very appealing. At the end of your placement your Department Mangers assesses whether you should be put forward for a place on the Graduate Assessment centre. I was fortunate enough to be admitted and will undergo the assessment centre in January or February 2011. The Graduate Scheme provides Graduates with a great starting salary and the opportunity to secure a Steering Group position within 4 years of starting. It’s a great but challenging fast track programme.

    5/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

    • All partners were extremely friendly and I had a very good laugh with many of the partners that I worked alongside. The subsidised canteen provides you with a great opportunity to get to know everybody.

    4/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • I worked and lived in Newcastle for 6 weeks which is a very cheap city.

    5/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • Newcaslte's night life is very good and cheap for students.

    5/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • Yes John Lewis often organise charity events and subsidised weekends and days out.

    5/5
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Details

Internship (1 Month+)

Business Management, Customer Service, Fashion Design, Retail, Sales

September 2010

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