Head Office Industrial Placement Review

I had a great time during my 11 month placement at British Airways. So much so that I was asked to interview for the graduate scheme before the 11 months were over, and have accepted a place on the Leaders for Business graduate scheme in 2015.

As soon as you join the company you are seen as equal to your other colleagues. You are not treated like a student on placement, and you are given the same opportunities and level of responsibility as everyone else in your team.

During my placement I had a line manager in the team I was a part of, a placement manager, and also the overall manager for the industrial placement and graduate programmes. This meant there were many people I could go to for advice, guidance and support and they were always willing to help.

I was responsible for my own projects and therefore had to manage my own time which is a great skill to learn. There is always something to do and get involved with, whether that be your own project work, chairing meetings, conducting workshops, or even shadowing other areas of the business to improve your knowledge and understanding of the company.

During my placement I was given a lot of responsibility. You are given your own projects so you have to be able to manage your time well, chair meetings, create clear objectives, and also make sure you are on track to deliver what you have promised.

The skills that I developed during my 11 months with BA helped me to secure a place on the graduate scheme after I have finished my degree. Back at university I am more motivated, I am able to manage my time better, and have also developed my confidence in presenting which is a major part of my final year of University.

The general atmosphere in my office was good. There were people of all ages, backgrounds and everyone was working on a different project so it was very interesting. I have made some great friends while on placement and I hope that these relationships will continue over the next year and when I return on the graduate scheme.

My placement was very well organised, I knew what was expected of me and I knew what I had to do in order to achieve it. My manager was great and was always there to help and support me whenever needed.

As a group of placement students, we had regular development days where we would all get together, share experiences, and try to work on an area/s that we felt we could improve on. We were also able to take part in any training/learning that was available to the whole company if we wanted to do so.

I have accepted a place on the Leaders for Business graduate scheme next year. This is a three year programme, offers great placements and opportunities to work all over the airline, and is a great way to become a future manager within the business. I really enjoyed my 11 months with BA and the future employment prospects are very good no matter what your interests are. The company is so large and the opportunities are almost endless!

As a group of placement students we got on extremely well together and so organised meals out etc, as well as meeting up during the working week. We also had regular forums with the graduates and so had a great relationship with them as well. I went to many meals with my colleagues outside of work and really do now see them as friends.

Although I was based at Heathrow, I continued to live near University in Reading. The cost of living and socialising around Heathrow was roughly the same price, many of the placement and graduate students arrange house shares and travel into work on the tube so it is very easy! The salary definitely covered all bills, socialising, and I still had some saved at the end of the 11 months.

I lived in Reading during my placement however Heathrow is on the underground and it takes no time at all to get into central London so the nightlife is great!

There are so many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work. BA clubs offers a wide range of sporting activities that you can take part in, and you get free membership to this for the first 6 months. BA have their own charity called ‘Flying Start’ and there are always activities going on to raise money which you can take part in. You can also volunteer at local charities, and are given support if you would like to arrange something outside of work yourself!