International Yacht Paint - Summer Student Review

Felt a valued member of the team. The workplace was relaxed but hard working and everyone was able to help me out when needed. Lots of other placement students from a variety of backgrounds which mate it quite fun and social.

I felt valued as an employee and I was given a project that felt as though it would be of value to the company. I was given my own desk and space and was trusted to get on with the different aspects of my work without constantly having someone looking over my shoulder.

Both my manager and my laboratory supervisor were fantastic in giving me all the guidance I needed. I learnt a lot of background to the company and the products I was involved with. In the laboratory my supervisor was always more than than happy to show me techniques and/or put my in contact with someone else in the business who would show me.

Busy but never rushed. I had a project that I was working on during my time with the company so as long as I was keeping pace with the schedule for that everyone was happy. If I had any spare time then my manager always provided extra tasks to work on; I usually has a small amount of desk based work to do should I not have project based work to complete.

I was given my own project to complete which involved being in contact with colleagues abroad. Being there for only a short amount of time however probably limited how much I could be given but it always felt that I was given the right amount as my managers gained trust in me.

The placement wasn't directly related to my course so the main benefit was the project management skills, but nothing specific. The training and other general skills will likely be useful in future jobs/careers.

Hard working yet friendly and relaxed. Everyone always made time to say hi and make you drinks but were also committed to there work and the work of others in the office/lab. Everyone I met was always able to help me out should there be something I needed their advice on.

Very well organised. Lots of contact during the interview process as well as during the first stages of starting. The interview involved showing us plots of what went on elsewhere as the business. Training was quite formal and well organised and when I started working I had a project lined up which meant it always felt involved.

Seeing as I was only due to be there for a couple of months they seemed to spare no expense in training everyone well. Being an industrial site we were given plenty of safety training generally and for our business area. There was lots of background given to the area of business we were working as well as adequate training in the actual tasks I was to complete.

Being a large multinational the graduate opportunities are extensive and varied. There were plenty of younger graduate recruits working at the site I was at so I suspect that the employment prospects are generally quite good.

Yes. Being based in Newcastle it was quite a social place to be anyway. Lots of the placement students lived together in one house however I wasn't and was quite busy out of work. We always met up and had lunch together in the canteen. Lots of people from different backgrounds so always people to get on with.

Compared to where I was at university everything was very good value. Rent very reasonable even in the nice areas. The metro stops right outside so transport is easy, quick and cheap but there is also free parking if you need to drive. Places to socialise are plentiful and cheap!

Newcastle has a very good nightlife of all descriptions. Good local pubs, plenty of bars and clubs around the town too. The city is really easy to get around too and so it is very easy to go for a few drinks on the other site of the city after work.

I wasn't aware of many activities organised as part of the company however as I was only there for a short amount of time I suspect that I just wasn't made aware of these.