Data Management and Statistics Review

Working with BAT for a year was an opportunity with many benefits. During my year I gained a lot of confidence in my work as well as other key skills. I was also treated like a permanent staff member both professionally and socially.

During my my placement year I was given a project to complete which benefited the business as much as it allowed me to develop skills. This was acknowledged by my colleagues and I was made to feel like an asset to the company.

Support was on offer when needed however I was expected to learn a lot of the required skills independently.

As a statistics placement student, tasks would come and go depending on demand for data analysis. There were days where I could've had more to do but also full days which were stimulating and productive.

After an extended period of shadowing my line manager, I was given the responsibility to handle my tasks independently. When I was given my project, that became my full responsibility.

The skills I gained during my placement were above and beyond what I learnt in lectures and will certainly be transferable to my final year.

Due to the nature of my role, I moved between several offices during the year. Each one had a different social atmosphere, however all of them had a warm and friendly environment in which colleagues were able to chat both professionally and as friends.

When I joined the company, a team was set up to monitor our progress and offer opportunities for development. Throughout the year they set up presentations for us to produce, training sessions and team building exercises. They also maintained regular contact to ensure that our experience never faltered.

The company were willing to invest in my training to a great extent. I have been given an opportunity to study for a certification in the statistical package SAS. In addition to this we were able to train in PRINCE2 at various levels and attend conferences in our respective field. I was also permitted to gain some lab experience for my own personal development despite my role not including lab work.

The company provided unfaltering benefits to its employees and was a very comfortable working environment. Several current staff members previously undertook a placement here.

Placement students were encouraged to seek housing together and we socialized regularly outside the workplace. Colleagues would also attend social occasions, both organised by the company and by ourselves.

Southampton was a reasonably priced area to live in. During my year I was lucky enough to find a property with great value for rent. Transport connections around the local area were also highly flexible and reasonably priced.

Southampton offered a great variety of activities to partake in during the evenings. The Mayflower Theatre offered some great touring productions of high standard. There was a variety of venues to visit on an night out, ranging from chain nightclubs which weren't the cheapest places but still a good night out to several indie pubs scattered around the city. My personal favourite was the Hobbit on Bevois Valley Road.

During my placement year I was lucky to get involved in several extra-curricular activities outside the workplace. Working during the day and having evenings free meant that several opportunities were available. I joined an amateur dramatics group, attended singing lessons and took up scuba diving during my free time. Through this I was able to gain more experiences and friends during my placement year than I imagined I would.