Category Development Executive Intern Review

PRUK values conviviality and encourages a friendly work environment, this made my placement year extremely fun and allowed me to settle in quickly. My role as a Category Development Intern gave me the freedom to be involved with many different departments therefore I was able to gain knowledge of multiple functions that all work towards creating and developing the many big brands Pernod Ricard owns.

I was responsible for creating and sending out multiple reports each month, I often received feedback for example praise, development points and further questions. This made me feel very valued as the work I was putting into the reports was clearly being utilised and read. I was also valued highly for my the student insight I would bring to meetings and reports, I was often asked my opinion on certain brand decisions and any new ideas I had that could be used to target the student population.

My Line manager was extremely supportive from day one. Whether this be introducing me to colleagues, helping with my university portfolio of evidence or helping me to prioritise and relieve work load. Any questions I had he would take time to answer and would always ensure I understood what was being asked of me. The category development team I worked within were also very supportive, they gradually gave me more responsibility as I found my feet within the business and always made sure I didn't feel over whelmed with work. I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to work with the people I did.

As my placement progressed I found I was given more responsibility therefore increasing my daily workload. This worked well as it coincided with me gaining more confidence with my work output and the speed at which I was able to turn around a piece of work. Once I felt completely comfortable I was involved with many different aspects which meant I was always kept busy, I enjoyed this as it made my placement fun and fast paced with a lot of variety.

A lot. I was entrusted with creating and sending out numerous reports that were an output from the category team. These were sent to internal colleagues for example directors and to external customers therefore meaning they had to be precise and correct. I was also involved with many focus groups the output of which would have visible outcomes on brand decisions made. I was invited along to meetings with PRUK's customers meaning I was responsible for representing PRUK professionally, PRUK treats interns as they do permanent staff therefore the level of responsibility given is a similar standard.

I have now commenced my final year at university and I am already seeing a strong link to my experience at PRUK and the units I am studying. I am able to use my knowledge of the drinks industry in coursework and I can relate academic research I encounter back to the real world of work. I am also using PRUK as a case study for my dissertation (which I received a lot of support with whilst gathering data on my placement and with access since). I have a considerably higher confidence level than students who have not completed a placement and I have been able to manage my time far better. I am now able to communicate in a professional manner which will be invaluable when going back into the world of work. I also received a lot of training with databases which will help me pick up new computer systems far easier in the future and I will also be able to use this database knowledge in any large grocer supplier which stands me in good stead for graduate jobs. I feel like PRUK has given me the tools to be able to succeed when I leave university and re-enter full time work.

In general the office was always full of life as there was always exciting new brand plans being implemented. The convivial nature of the business meant lunch times where a fun and friendly environment where you got to meet other colleagues from different functions. There was always a birthday or new baby celebrations and everyone gets involved even PRUK's MD who would often be found round the office getting involved with jokes and showing an interest in everyone's work.

The placement had a quick turn around from phone interview, to an interview in Birmingham and then a final interview in the PRUK London offices with the potential line managers. This was good as it meant not too much time was taken away from your 2nd year university work. When in the role I was given a welcome pack by HR detailing everything I needed to fill in and know. HR throughout were extremely supportive and where always available for any questions. My line manager and I worked together to ensure my role fulfilled what I wanted to get from my placement and fulfilled his requirements as a member of his team so it was almost tailor made, I think is very rare to have this level of freedom with a placement and it ensured I gained everything I needed to from the year.

I personally was given numerous training in databases I would be using from external agencies and my line manager took time out of his busy schedule to help me settle in and learn about the company and industry. There is much more training available to staff for example bar training and excel which are also available to placement students. Interns are invested in as much as a new member of permanent staff.

PRUK do have a grad scheme available as a Business Development Executive with the opportunity for quick promotions for those who excel. This was developed in house and you would be joining other graduates in a strong friendly team, this role has many perks for example a work phone and car. Some of PRUK brands such as Absolut also have separate grad schemes available so there are no shortage of potential post university jobs.

There were three other placement students in three other departments when I joined, we all got along very well and were invited to all the company events. PRUK has a lively social scene and placement students were encourage to be a part of this, I went to and tried many new venues and events when in London because of PRUK.

I lived at home during my placement so cost of living was very low for me. Any work events were subsidised as well so the overall cost was not high at all.

I worked in Hounslow in West London however since I finished my placement PRUK has moved offices to Chiswick Park. Chiswick Park is much more lively as it is a business park and has a lot of activities for employees to get involved with.

There are many groups like swimming, football, touch rugby, yoga and pilates, there are also many social evening events.