Placement Capacity Planning Analyst Review

I spent the year working with a very supportive and innovative team. I was eased into my role and soon found that I had my own responsibilities that really made a difference to the company. My day job was supplemented by placement/graduate activities which broadened the scope of my experience and allowed me to get involved in a breadth of activities.

Even though I was a placement, I found that I was treated with the same level of respect as full time team members. I certainly wasn't just a tea boy. The environment was very supportive; if I ever needed help, I only had to ask. I was never looked down on for needing help and it helped me find my confidence knowing that I had support when I needed it.

I had 2 managers - a line and a practice manager. My line manager was very supportive in giving me training, helping me challenge myself and involving me in new and enlightening experiences such as supplier meetings. My practice manager would meet with me every four weeks and look at what I wanted to develop, how I wanted to better myself and what training or tasks I could do to improve myself. I found both managers to be exemplary,

I was given a challenging but achievable amount of work to complete. I was never overwhelmed but I certainly went home with the feeling that I had made a difference and I could be proud of what I accomplished.

My line manager increased my responsibility throughout the year as I got more knowledgeable and skilled. By the end of the year I felt integrated and like I was a full member of staff.

I based my dissertation on the area of IT that I was working in. Having spent a year learning the enterprise applications and theories of the area, I was able to gain a high first class on my dissertation and overall for my degree,

I worked in the headquarters, a new modern building in Milton Keynes with excellent facilities including a gym.

The scheme was very well planned from the get go. Everything was explained and we were given the structure of the year from the first week.

I had access to a great number of internal courses but was also invited to many external training courses such as the vmware vsphere 5 overview course.

The organisation is always changing which opens up opportunities for innovation and fresh eyes to take on the challenge of Britain's railway infrastructure.

Many placements chose to live together. We would meet up for socials on Fridays and there was opportunity to get involved with 5 a side football, FIFA competitions and the like.

Milton Keynes is a lot cheaper than London. The pubs/clubs were similar in price to most bars you'd find in a large city such as Nottingham or Birmingham.

Milton Keynes itself has a limited night life but is within an easy 30-40 minute train to London with late trains returning as late as 1.30am.

Sports and social club, golf, volunteering - there really was something for everyone.