Mechanical Engineer Review

This year has been very enjoyable, as you are given lots of real, interesting work to get involved in.

Colleagues treat you like any other employee, and are more then happy to lend a hand or explain something if there is something you don't understand.

You are assigned a Sponsor (a senior management member of staff who ultimately oversees your development for the year), a mentor (to help with the IMechE side of things), a placement manager for each area as you move around the business and a buddy (an ex grad who offers more informal guidance).

In each placement there is always a huge amount of work available, so you always have things to do.

You are given the opportunity to lead smaller projects yourself (and therefore have the responsibility to meet the deadlines etc) which is a great opportunity.

The training is unrivalled- courses are offered to improve both your technical ability and "soft skills" which will be useful back at uni and beyond.

Everyone is generally friendly and approachable, with some social events outside the office too.

Each scheme has a Scheme Development representative from HR who is responsible for sorting placements and training etc.

TfL spent a lot of money on each placement student to do both internal and external courses, even though we were only here for a year.

Its a great company to work for, and at the end of your year you can have an assessment to a lead sponser who may offer you a grad scheme place so you have one lined up for when you finish uni.

The year placement and graduates all mixed into together, with regular meet ups throughout the year.

Living in London is expensive, even with 2 free oyster cards. I lived outside of London and commuted in as TfL also pay for 75% of a national rail season ticket, and it worked out cheaper. Even the cheapest pubs are £4+ a pint.

Expensive but great fun,

There are loads of things to do in London, ranging from activities to volunteering etc.