Marketing Communications Assistant Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement year at BMW UK and I would say it was the highlight of my degree course so far. BMW allowed me to work on some really exciting and important projects which tested skills learnt in the first two years of my degree, whilst also allowing me to develop, and add practical experience, to these skills. I was also able to work on some great events including the BMW PGA Championship and Goodwood Festival of Speed. I feel I have benefited massively from my experiences at BMW, and have come away from my placement with greater focus and determination to succeed, as well as a greater understanding of the career path I want to follow.

From the first day of my placement I was treated like a valued member of the team. The staff at BMW Head office in Bracknell are all really knowledgeable and friendly professionals who are passionate about the brand and are more than happy to help should you need it. In the early stages of my placement I always felt management were happy to assist with any queries I had. Furthermore, regular one to one meetings with my manager allowed me time to discuss my progress, and I always felt my manager was genuinely interested and wanted to support me in getting the most out of my placement experience.

My manager and I had a close working relationship, which allowed me to gain all the support and guidance I needed to work comfortably in my role. Whenever I was stuck on a particular project, or my workload was becoming too much during busy periods, my manager was more than happy to take time out of their busy schedule to assist me. Moreover, my manager was happy to give me significant levels of responsibility early on in the year, allowing me to greatly develop my skill set along the way.

My particular role meant there were naturally periods during the year when I was less busy than others. However, on the whole I was given more than enough responsibility to ensure I was busy on a day to day basis. My manager was also happy to extend responsibility in times when I felt I could take more on, or assist with my workload during busy periods.

I was given responsibility for projects which were key to the success of my department and the business as a whole. Responsibility was handed to me early on, and being able to consistently showcase my skills in project management and communication meant I was running projects independently by the end of my placement year.

My year at BMW has given me skills which I know will be invaluable in my future career. My interpersonal skills for example, have increased to a level where I am now confidently able to lead and delegate effectively. Furthermore, my understanding of how a major company operates on a daily basis, and the challenges (internal and external) it faces, will be vital in applying for future roles upon graduation.

The office environment at BMW UK suited my working style perfectly. Work is taking very seriously, but this is due to the passion for the brand that is instilled in all employees, and does not mean fun could not be had - as long as work was completed. Managers were never overbearing or regimental, and allowed you the freedom to complete projects in a way that suited your working style.

The transition period on joining the company was seamless. I was given sufficient information before the start of my placement to allow me to feel comfortable in starting. Upon starting, I was given a handover from the previous student which allowed me learn, ask questions and get responses from someone who had been in a similar situation the year before. The necessary training, and inductions were also given during the initial period to allow me to fit in and work comfortably.

BMW invested a huge amount of time in ensuring I got the most from my placement, and achieved any goals I set out to achieve when I started.

Previous students now work full time at BMW UK, showing that future employment is a possibility. BMW allow you the opportunity to apply to be taken back by the company once you graduate from your degree.

The group of students I was on placement with, on the whole got on really really well and I have made some great friends. We regularly socialised outside of work hours and this allowed me to have some great experiences which I will take away with me. Although I was involved with one sports club at BMW, I do think the company could have done more from a social perspective to allow employees to socialise away from a work environment.

I was fortunate in that I was able to live at home during my placement, however the cost of socialising in Bracknell, Reading and the surrounding areas is acceptable. Being close to London means it is slightly more expensive than other student towns, however with Reading having a student scene of its own, your are able to take advantage of that.

Reading has a fairly good night-life, with a few main nightclubs and a large amount of bars and pubs. Being a student town, there are regular nights and events tailored to students. Bracknell is less attractive in this respect, meaning the majority of students tend to live in Reading whilst at BMW.

As previously mentioned, I was able to take advantage of one club organised by employees at BMW, however I feel this is one area that could be improved. It would be great to have a social society which organises a variety of events on a regular basis for all employees to get involved in.