Electronics & Software Intern Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my summer internship, it was a brilliant experience that inspired me to apply to work for Schlumberger once I graduate. I feel like I achieved a lot of relevant work while also learning a lot about work as an engineer and the Schlumberger working ethos & environment.

My team were genuinely sorry to see me go, as they said that I had completed a lot of important work for them. I was definitely a true member of the team even though I was only there for 3 months as they made an effort to involve me, and at times I was given some high importance tasks due to no one else being able to take them on! I also made some very good friends with fellow members of my office and other interns. I was very sad to leave them but we still keep in touch.

My manager was very busy during my internship so he was not often easily accessible for me to ask for help. However he popped over to my desk when he could and was always friendly and open to questions. Overall this was actually a benefit as it encouraged me to be more independent and make key decisions myself.

In general I was kept fairly busy with a couple of large tasks. I would have preferred to have a few more jobs to keep me constantly busy and moving but that is just a personal preference - my work load was perfectly balanced and I was never left without something to do, but also never felt particularly overwhelmed.

I was given a good amount of responsibility considering the work I was undertaking. I was able to make small decisions easily and undertake my work as I wished, but more key choices were made by my manager, project team or simply the direction the project was taking.

I learned a lot during these three months. I learned a lot about Schlumberger as a company - its work culture, atmosphere, employee attitudes, etc - which are important experience for the industry, but also useful considering I am planning to apply for a graduate job within the company. I also undertook some training sessions run by the company that taught me about industry skills and standards such as six sigma and lean manufacturing, some of which are relevant to my final year of my degree. Finally, I learned some technical skills and undertook some challenging projects that improved my technical understanding of electronics and provided good example projects for my CV.

The overall centre which comprised of several buildings had a great atmosphere - in a centre of a few hundred people, a lot of them knew each other and often said hi or stopped for a chat. My office was a little quiet, but everyone in it was friendly and the occasional conversation would break out. It was a little too quiet to my liking but I got to know my coworkers by the end of my internship and they were a lovely bunch.

My manager didn't have all the details about me on my first day and wasn't totally prepared for me so it was a little slow to get going as I didn't even have key equipment such as a laptop! However he had work for me to start on immediately and my 'buddy' (who was assigned to help me integrate into the company and sort out some admin and training) was very friendly and helpful, he was quick to sort out anything required for me. So overall, it was well done and there were no big problems.

As well as the new employees training scheme that I went through, I also attended multiple seminars/webinars for further education which were very beneficial. The company was also kind enough to arrange several trips for the interns - one to see the research centre in Cambridge and learn more about the oil industry and Schlumberger's processes and research, but also a day trip to London to learn more about the company and meet other interns from centres around the UK. Schlumberger is very keen in investing in its employees & interns, a culture I really appreciate.

Currently undergoing the application process for a specialized job in 'Tech and Field' out on the oil rigs, but otherwise hoping to work in one of the office centres. I would love to work for Schlumberger and at the end of my internship they seemed very keen to have me back.

There were several events organised to allow the interns at the centre (around 12 of us) to meet and get to know each other which was brilliant, I appreciated it a lot as I made some good friends. I also got to know a few recent graduates who were very friendly and told me a lot about the company. Some fellow colleagues I was such good friends with we often met up after work, I was very sad to have to leave as I made some good friends!

I chose to live in Cheltenham (as many Schlumberger Stonehouse employees do) and considering the wage I was paid was adequate for living needs and money was not a problem. However, as I tended to hang out with employees rather than fellow students/interns they tended to go to the slightly more expensive places to socialize rather than my usual student dives! However everyone was happy to buy rounds and were generous to the interns so it wasn't a problem.

Cheltenham has a decent nightlife, a good mix of pubs, clubs and bars. I prefer pubs personally, so visited a few in the area that were very good, I can highly recommend places like the Sandford Ale House and the Bayshill!

There was a Stonehouse Employees Club that offered discount tickets to all sorts of events, from theme park tickets to live music, musicals and marathons. There was also a range of sports clubs subsidized by the company, but I didn't take advantage of these.