Placement Student Review

Working for PSA Peugeot Citroen provides an insight into working in both a corporate environment and working within the motor industry. You are granted a grand amount of responsibility based upon your willingness to learn and you are fully supported throughout the year's experience. I have absolutely loved every moment of it. It hasn't always been easy but it has always been enjoyable and it has developed all of my skills for the future.

Exceptionally. You have 2 placements and in both placements, I have never been undermined or disrespected for my status in comparison to others. I have been granted the same amount of responsibility and support as other team members and I have been trained in the same situations as others. I have definitely become part of the team in both placements and PSA Peugeot Citroen feels very much like a family.

At PSA Peugeot Citroen, you are given a lot of support and guidance but you are also encouraged to learn for yourself. You are not watched at every moment of the day and you are expected to be mature about work. If you have a problem, you should know that the right thing to do is try and work it out and if you're still struggling, speak to your manager or another team member. I have always done this and I have always resolved the issue easily and learnt by doing so.

I am extremely passionate so in some cases, I think I may have been willing to take on more than I was able to handle but my managers would advise me of this and tell me to take my time rather than creating deadlines for myself that didn't exist. You can always tell a manager, director or colleague that you can't do something in the specified time and if it is exceptionally urgent and time critical, they will find resources to help you achieve that deadline.

I was shocked at how much responsibility I was given and everyone who heard about my placement was amazed that a global organisation was granting me such responsibility. It was amazing and I am forever grateful to the company for how they have treated me as I have developed so much as a person as a result of this. They don't give you so much that you're running a global company and can't cope, but they give you enough so that you really do experience the life as an employee in a worldwide successful company.

I feel more prepared for my degree and future career than ever and I feel confident in getting a graduate job. I know that I want to work within the motor industry and I know what fields I want to work in. This has also helped me in choosing my dissertation subject and my final year modules. I now believe I will improve my grades in my degree and I feel ready for a graduate job as I have experienced 2 placements during my time at Peugeot Citroen.

There have been stressful times which has meant that everybody isn't sat around just laughing and discussing the weekend but you can guarentee that if you ever need a friend, your manager or your colleagues will be there for you. It is a lovely environment to walk into everyday and I have loved every morning that I have walked into this building. You can be having a rubbish start to the day but when the friendly reception staff greet you and your colleagues start talking to you, you realise that it's not that bad because you have a fantastic placement or job in a brilliant company.

From start to finish, the placement has been organised perfectly and I have always felt well supported. I know that in any instance, I have been able to speak to the HR team, my managers and my directors. I have never felt like I didn't know what I was doing.

We had training days with other IP students which was really fun and engaging. It was really helpful as we had one regarding presentations and I soon had a presentation to my Head of Department for my Quarterly reporting with a review which went superbly and I do believe the skills I was taught aided me in this success. It is very different presenting in a corporate environment in comparison to university and I personally really enjoyed the training too.

I would definitely recommend a career at PSA Peugeot Citroen to anybody. If you aren't a car fanatic, you'll love the working environment and if you are a petrol head, you will be in love with every part of the company. It's a great place to learn, dive in the deep end and meet fantastic people. It's not just enjoyable but it is a fantastic company. For me, it's one of the most incredible places you could ever work.

There are a good range of young people including Business Apprentices, Industrial Placement students, French students, Graduates (both English and French). This means that everyone really bonds with one another and the company also holds many social events which encourages people to be included in the youth environment.

Coventry is a good place to live because you have fantastic transport links as well as affordable living costs. You can be in London within an hour and Birmingham is also closeby with an airport if you fancy escaping the country for a bit! With the holiday allowance you get, it's really easy to travel around the UK and maybe take the Monday off for a long weekend.

Coventry is a fun night out as well as Leamington which isn't too far and Birmingham is really good. There's plenty to do and if you don't fancy clubbing, there's brilliant restaurants and bars and cute little towns like Kenilworth and Stratford where you can get drinks and chill by the lake or go to the cinema.

There are lots of activities you can participate including charity events like skydiving, cycling long distances and abseiling. There are many events you can assist with alike to Goodwood and you can enjoy lots of different experiences as long as you're keen.