First Year Dealer Review

by Southwestern Advantage

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4.4/5
  • The Role
    4.8
  • The Company
    4.7
  • The Culture
    3.4

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

    • I loved the work, it was very hard but if you have fun with the families you meet, it can be the most rewarding and fun job.

    5/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • Our team/ organisation had a great identity and pride for being the no1 organisation in Britain and everyone was in it together.

    5/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • Worked with manager before summer getting prepared for the summer as it is hard and given support and guidance every day during the summer. Even people who weren't related to you were always willing to help as much as possible for everyone to do the best they can.

    5/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • They were extremely busy, and very long hours. But you are prepared for that before hand. The days fly by with great training on how to make the most out of your area, then before you know it you have worked for 13 or so hours and it has all been great fun.

    4/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • I was running my own business so it is completely up to you. Your results and pay are a direct result of your work. A great way for it to work, so people you are working with aren't getting paid the same amount for doing nothing, i loved that aspect of the job.

    5/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • Skills you learn are invaluable. People you meet who have done this job 30 years ago say that they are still learning things from their days selling book.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • America suburbia was my office, i loved it. Had/ made so much fun for myself everyday, everyone was super friendly and i had a great summer.

    5/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • The company has been around since 1855 so you would expect it to be run well, and everything from the training to calling your manager each night is extremely well organised.

    5/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • I got the same training as 3000 other students got, but it was phenomenal. No other way you can learn that much about running a successful business in 1 week.

    5/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • International Travel

    Company Parties/Events
    5/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • You have the opportunity to advance within the book selling arm of the company, like i am now a student manager then can move onto a sales manager etc. if not the parent company has 24 (i think) other companies that they employ directly from southwestern, guaranteed first round interviews if you have completed 1 summer with southwestern.

    5/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

    • Social scene before and after summer. People i worked and lived with were similar like minded people who will be friend for life, that if i had not met through southwestern probably wouldn't have met. During the summer there isn't much of a social scene, but you expect that, then after the summer there are loads of amazing trips you can win/ get invited to. For example Gambia, Mallorca, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and places around britain.

    5/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • Living in host families, anywhere between $20/40 a week, which relatively is nothing.

    5/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • None where i worked but good fun social scene before and after summer. Especially on the trips.

    2/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • Worked so hard during summer wasn't time.

    2/5
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Details

Internship (1 Month+)

Business Management, Sales

International

May 2011

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