Systems Engineer summer placement Review

I really enjoyed working for Atkins Defence in Bristol, Everyone in the office was friendly and helpful and the work was a good level where I felt I was challenged but not too much.

I definitely could see the impact of my work and were it was used and how it impacted my colleagues work which made me feel valued and usefull in the company.

I was given some support and guidence, management took an interest in my work and what I was assigned as well as regulaly checking up on me. however I did feel more feedback about my work might be good Such as weather it needed to be done faster, slower to a higher quality?

I tended to be busy most of the time and have work to do but there was some days where I had very little to do or I was waiting to be given more work by my manager which was frustrating.

I was given alot of responsobility and I felt I was treated at least at the same level as the graduate engineers which was good, I was alowed to lead and arrange meetings and make my own desisions about my work without having to ask for direction or help.

I gained alot os skills and knoledge which can be applied to systems engineering which will be slighlty usefull when studying mechanical engineering at university but I feel they will be more useful when it comes to finding a job after university.

Generally the office was friendly, relaxed and sociable. I felt I could easiely talk with most of the staff and they where all keen to meet me and talk to me.

When I first arrived my first few days were very well organised and I had alot of meetings and information sessions arranged for me. However the next 5days I found I had little work to do once I finished my training/ intro cources. The work did pick up but there was a period of these 5 days which was wasted and whcih I could have spent working.

There was online trainign cources which were helpful and provided a good starting point when learning to use new programs. Members of staff arround the office also came to help and offer their time to help teach me new software or concepts.

Very appealing at the moment but I have yet to try other organisations.

yes, not so much with other placement students but the office did have regular events and parties. Ther ewasn't really enough placement students to have a big social group.

reasonably cheap, not as much as some other cities such as london. rent is about 330 a month and living and socialising costs about the same

good, even without the students arround in the city it is still busy most nights

some but I would have liked to see more sports teams within the company.