Summer Intern - Integrity Engineer Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Centrica Storage Ltd. I was given a lots of exposure to a wide range of different and interesting projects. I was encouraged to ask questions throughout my placement. I also enjoyed being able to spend time both in the office and visiting the assets. Centrica placed a clear emphasis on training over my summer placement.

As a 10 week engineering summer placement it is clear that you will not be able to develop the knowledge required in order to lead large tasks. I did however feel valued by my colleagues as all colleagues were always willing to spend time with me assisting me with my work, answering my questions and giving me an insight into their work. Team members often approached me with tasks they felt I would elarn from or find interesting. Overall I did feel valued.

I consider myself very fortunate that I had a fantastic manager/supervisor during my time with Centrica Storage Ltd. My manager had spent time on the summer placement program and had then completed the graduate scheme. This was great for me as it meant he knew exactly how it felt to be a summer placement student. This meant that my workload was appropriate and I was involved in tasks that I found interesting and useful. My team also went for walks each lunchtime where I could speak openly and honestly with my managers about how I was progressing.

My days varied. During my time at Centrica Storage Ltd I had some days where I was very busy attending meetings and completing office work. There were also days that I spent very busy on the asset. Particularly at the start of my placement I had some days where I was less busy. This did however give me time to become more familiar with the business. I was always able to approach my manager asking for more work.

Over the course of my placement I did not receive loads of responsibility. This is not particularly suprising bearing in mind that Centrica Storage Ltd owns oil and gas assets which have the potential to become extremely dangerous if they are not handled correctly. Taking this into consideration I think I was given a fair amount of responsibility.

Centrica place a clear emphasis on training during the summer placment program. I was given a range of tasks in order to develop a variety of both more technical and softer skills. Formal training included induction days, team building days and presentation/public speaking training. Overall my summer placement has left me keen to continue improving on my technical and softer skills when I return to university and throughout my career.

My office was generally relaxed yet professional. Colleagues wore open neck shirts with dress down day taking place on fridays. Colleagues were very approachable and were always willing to help. I was fortunate to take part in a 2 day engineering team building activity in the Yorkshire Dales. I made friends with many of my colleagues during this activity.

I was very impressed witht he general organisation of my placement. My manager contacted me around 2 weeks before my placment began giving me a brief introduction of what to expect. Centrica provided me with acommodation and a car for the duration of my placement. I was also provided with a "buddy" who was a colleague working within the business on the graduate scheme. He was able to help with any questions about the area, office environment or progression onto the graduate scheme.

I was impressed with the investment by the company in me. Over the course of my placement I attended several training activities organised by the graduate team. I also arranged a visit to the commercial operations of the business in Staines. This was useful and interesting for me as I learnt more about the role I played as an engineer within the wider business. I felt as if Centrica were willing to support and encourage me to take part in all suitable training activities.

Yes! Every lunch time my colleagues within the team would go for a 45 minute walk into the local village. Other than the time we got absolutely soaked this was a lot of fun. I also played squash regularly with my manager. I went for drinks a few times with other summer placment students and the graduates from my office. We also went to the cinema together.

The cost of living in the Hull area is very cheap. This was fantastic. Centrica provided me with acommodation and a car. This meant that my overall cost of living over the course of my placement was very low. As Hull is a student city I also found that many places offered student discounts. I was able to save a significant portion of my salary over the course of this placement.

Outside of work opportunities to become involved were limited. I was however able to socialise several times with the other summer placment student and the graduates in my office. I also socialised with my manager playing squash several times at the University squash courts. This was a lot of fun! I also attended an engineering away day where I got to know and develop friendships with my colleagues.