Product Strategy & Launch Review

Cannot put on a price on the experience. As two of the interns set up an intern group, we managed to see sides of the business we would have never of got to see such as blue light operations and Dagenham Diesel Plant. Also the work I produced had real world implications which is nice after spending the last two years learning about theories! Key events I enjoyed were the senior management talks we got to attend, specifically, the Marketing placement students got an hour long chat with the FoB chairman which I appreciated a lot! (this happened in first few weeks. We also got an opportunity to chat to a member of the global board and the Marketing VP for FoE. Specifically my team was very welcoming, I even got a 21st birthday speech from the director and a leaving speech!

Made me feel very welcome and found it easy to get on with everyone in my team, even though there was often a 15/20 year age gap between us. My point of view also got asked for on some tasks which was nice to see as in I wasn't just there to make up the numbers.

Couldn't fault my bosses, they where always happy to help on issues, as where other team members. However due to the nature within Ford their workload is very heavy so I did find it difficult to get face to face time with them at certain points throughout my placement. However, this isn't a bad reflection on them, just circumstantial I suppose.

Workload seemed to vary which is of course a natural part of any job, however there was only a few times I felt I was being pushed in terms of amount and complexity of projects to manage. One intern did say he didn't have anything to do for the first 3 months when others had a constant stream of work, so it depends on which area you are placed within.

A fair amount for an intern, but it was clear to me if I ever felt I needed helped all I had to do was ask.

Experience was priceless, in terms of the skills I developed another way to look at problems and other more menial things like presentation of work and the ability to analyse data correctly. It also won't hurt to have one of the biggest companies in the world on my CV!

It was a quiet, calm office probably as a result of 95% being over 40 but everyone was always available for a chat even up to director level which was something I didn't expect in such a big company. There was hardly a week that went by without cakes and goodies on someones table, there seemed to be any excuse for bringing cakes in.

The hiring process was great, if a little late in a year. I always knew what stage I was at. In terms of the actual time on placement there is very little structure, some initiation events are included in your first few weeks (talks from people, trip to daventry parts distribution center). It seems the onus is very much on your team to adapt you into the company and not HR. Saying that I got a few trips out into London to experience agency meetings and research events which was a great insight and really hit home how far reaching Ford is.

The company offers upto £200 for non - related work courses such as languages, golf or nutrition coaches etc. Unfortunately this can't be used for gym memberships or other sporting activities.

The short answer: I don't know. The longer answer: I have been recommend for re-hire but due to them not knowing their hiring capacity for next year I am basically waiting on a phone call that could never come. My boss did say to call him if I've not heard anything after xmas and he'll chase it up for me, which is encouraging to see. I know this happened for a few other interns also.

The ones that where living out had a great social scene, we went out a lot around Essex which is ok but not the best.

I lived in Brentwood so house prices are slightly inflated due to proximity to London and it being a high value area, the wage should more than cover anywhere you will live with a bit extra on the side so I wouldn't worry.

Average, but we had quite a few funny nights out with stories to tell!

There is a few football leagues running, we personally entered our own but Ford employee ones do exist, just ask your team members and they'll sign you onto their email list.