Mechanical Engineering Intern Review

The work placement was enjoyable and i made some good friends on it. There were plenty of other students doing a placement and lots of social events organised for networking. I will be looking into a graduate scheme with National Grid.

I definitely felt like my opinion mattered and the work I was doing actually was helping with the workload.

When I was given tasks to do I was always told how to do it and given an example of what was done previously. If I was struggling with anything I knew there would be no issue with asking for help with it and being shown how to do it correctly. I also know that this support and guidance will carry forward into my final year if I need help with my project.

There was plenty of times of when I didn't have enough work to keep my occupied or none at all. I believe this was due to the areas of the business I was involved in, which was new to the company. A lot of this role involved setting up new process and tackling work as it came in so it could vary from having a lot to do or very little to do. It was always different though which was a positive.

I was given responsibility with some of the smaller tasks what needed doing. I was usually left to self manage them my self and organise how I was going to tackle them. I enjoyed being given the opportunity to do them myself.

I have become more professional whilst on placement. My work ethic and maturity have also improved a lot. This will come in handy with my final year of studies. I now know how a professional work environment operates and what to expect to in the future.

I was surprised at how relaxed the atmosphere was within national gird. Everyone was easy to chat with, friendly and helpful. There was no issue in with talking to people and they seemed happy to explain what their role was within the business.

I didn't feel the area I was placed in was the best organised. The workload wasn't consistent and I felt my superiors weren’t too sure what I should be doing or how I could be helping. This may not be true for the rest of the placement students though.

The company provided a student development programme to help with improving our skills which I found very useful. There were also plenty of events to attend to learn different areas of the business.

I have been offered a place on the assessment centre for the graduate scheme. There was also the option to apply for sponsorship for my final year. From my knowledge a graduate scheme usually leads into a full time role.

There were plenty of events organised among the other students such as go-karting and nights out in lemington spa.

It was manageable. At least it was not expensive like london.

For the 6 months i was based in Hinckley which doesn't have much of a nightlife other than the odd bar/pub. Leamington Spa as a good nightlife though and I knew the other students based in the Warwick office who lived there so I had a place to stay. It also isn't to far from Leicester either which is worth the trip. I spent the 2nd half of my placement in Manchester which has an excellent nightlife.

There are a number of sports teams in the company.