Technical Support Analyst Review

I have enjoyed my placement due to the level of responsibility I was given. Each of my projects enabled me to progress and develop in the standards of leadership.

I have felt valued in the team and made to feel welcome. Due to unforeseen circumstances however and a lot of restructuring there has been a lot of change within my team and my team have been really stretched in terms of resource. I have had 3 managers throughout my placement which has made it quite difficult for me at times, despite this I have been made to feel welcome and supported.

I have had 3 managers. My first manager was supportive and guided my through and we had a few one to ones which I found useful and I received a lot of constructive feedback which helped me to progress. My second manager was in two roles and was particularly stretched however she didn't sit down with me for any 1-to-1s, didn't review my work plan with me or offer guidance so during this period I didn't feel particularly supported. However, my current manager has been great and very supportive of me and we have regular one-to-ones. She has coached me through my work plan and been exceptionally helpful.

I think I was given the right amount of work, my goals were stretching and helped me develop but nothing I couldn't achieve therefore I think it was the perfect balance.

I was given quite a lot of responsibility and given tasks to manage by myself working with external facing clients as well as being given a large piece of work to do to prepare for an audit on site, which held a lot of responsibility in order to ensure it was completed in time and to a high standard.

The skills I have developed have been invaluable. From team work, communication, IT literacy and time management skills to name but a few I have obtained a lot of skills which are going to help me moving forwards in both my degree and career.

Mainly a positive and supportive atmosphere however due to the restructuring and changes in management my team have been particularly overworked which has sometimes led to the atmosphere being a bit deflated at times.

I think my case was quite unique as due to unforeseen circumstances my manager who applied for me was off work when I was due to start, so I was moved location a week before I was due to start and they weren't expecting me and there has been changes in management etc. Despite this they have welcomed me into the team and got me up and running as soon as possible giving me a structured work plan with a lot to do and a lot of responsibility.

I haven't had any formalised training however the team are very knowledgeable and experienced and through shadowing and asking questions I have significantly developed in my knowledge of HR.

Very appealing, I would love to be able to come back in a year's time. Not only is my job fantastic but I enjoy working for Unilever as a whole as the culture and the energy in the office suits me perfectly and every day I look forward to coming in to work.

Yes, I live in a house with 3 other placement students and we regularly meet up and go out with another house of placement students. There is nothing "put on" by Unilever after the first week but this is OK because you can easily arrange things with other IPs anyway.

Liverpool is a very reasonably priced area for living and socialising. You can easily find a nice room for around 350 GBP to 400 GBP a month. The cost of living is also not that high.

Liverpool nightlife is great and very cheap! There are some good pubs and restaurants around.

Yes plenty, Unilever is really big on things like volunteering (the whole business took a day off to volunteer together this year) and there are other things like gym classes, sponsored cycle rides and lots more to get involved in outside of work.