Placement Year Review at Accenture

The Role

Role Description

Throughout my internship at Accenture I worked as a business analyst on the Vodafone Client Account, working out-of-town at Vodafone’s UK HQ. I worked on a total of two projects (both 6 moths long):

1. Real-Time Marketing Solution for existing Vodafone customers

· Project’s aim was to maximize customer retention through offering tailored marketing offers to customers when phoning a contact centre or walking into a retail store.

2. Logistics Migration for Online Orders

· Project designed to change the company responsible for the distribution of Vodafone’s online orders, aligning the new partner to existing Vodafone systems.

During both projects I worked on the business change team under the wider Talent & Organisational Performance team at Vodafone. I was ultimately accountable to my line manager who also worked at Accenture as a consultant but also to the wider project management team and senior Vodafone clients.

Whilst on the business change team I undertook a variety of roles:

1. Authenticating the existing communications calendar, developing content and key messages to form part of the Contact Centre and Retail Communications Strategy.

2. Providing support in the definition of the Business Readiness criteria for Entry / Exit from testing of the new proposed system to commencement of full deployment.

3. Supporting the User Acceptance Testing phase, prior to commercial testing, reviewing functionality of the programs.

4. Prior to the launch of solution, providing support to end user deployment & mission control activities (issue resolution activities once systems were deployed)

5. Aiding the transition to business as usual post full deployment.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

During my internship I was given many opportunities to shape my task, take on additonal responsibilities and prove my ability. Pefromance was carefully tracked and constructive feedback left. Constant support was available from my line manager and opportunities to learn were continually made available. I was able to broaden and extend my basic competencies that will now help me in my return to studies but also to the workplace post graduation.

Working for a management consultantcy company also has its perks. Being based on an out of town project I was put up in a hotel Monday-Thurdsay and was allowed to work from home most Friday's. The company also held many social events which also provided a fantastic opportunity to gain further insight into the Company.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Feedback was left constantly and opportunities were given to specialise in a given area which allowed me to become the "go to person" for my given area. This allowed me to not only maximise team perfroamnce but also provided essential feedback to senior stakeholders.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Both my line managers were more than willing to give me constructive feedback, geenral advice and top tips throughout my placement. Both were very supportive and approachable and I felt that if I ever had a given query I could easily approach my line managers.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

For the majority of my placment I was very busy and had to plan my work very carfeully to ensure deadlines were met. Working in different workstreams at given points also becme problematic at times when numerous managers needed assistance with given tasks.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

For my area I was given a lot of repsonsibility and was responsible for providing updates to senior stakeholders. My line manager's were able to have confidence in my ability and were happy for me to occassionally step into their shoes when required.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Many broad competencies have been extended this year that will help both my return to studies and work upon graduation.

1. Can Do “Proactive” Attitude

Throughout my placement I took on tasks with little knowledge or experience to address a given challenge. Through careful planning, gathering of requirements, asking those with the relevant experience and researching what had been done previously new tasks became much easier to address. Additionally talking problems with an open mind, not getting distracted by insignificant detail, taking onboard constructive feedback and altering plans accordingly to new requirements or unexpected developments were all also key. As a result I am no longer phased by new tasks and tackle problems through a similar systematic method allowing for more greater flexibility in working habits. When returning to university this will allow new tasks to be tackled efficiently and brainstorming sessions in group work more productive and valuable.

2. Greater Confidence In Ability

This not only includes addressing new tasks but also giving presentations, chairing regular business meetings, taking the initiative in conference calls and addressing large audiences. Thinking on the spot has also been a new skill defined at Accenture through unexpected questions and developments being brought to light for the first time during given meetings. Looking forward this will help my presentation skills at University regarding given pieces of coursework and will help me to better visualise my ideas during group work.

3. Improved Planning & Coordination

Following increased workloads and areas of accountability throughout my placement I have learned to better organise and plan my time around required tasks and prioritise accordingly in line with deadlines and stakeholder focus. At university this will help to juggle the workloads presented by my different modules, coursework, weekly reading, exam preparation, assignments and group work. Furthermore it will allow me to better prioritise commitments elsewhere outside of university during my studies, including guild societies, family and work commitments.

4. Team Working

A variety of skills have been improved from working as a team in a high pressured working environment during my placement, that will ultimately allow me to better work as a team when addressing group work as part of my final year studies.

These include coordinating resources when working collectively towards a similar target, defining clearly roles & responsibilities, splitting a task between members, reviewing work of fellow team members, providing own perspectives and approaches, providing constructive feedback and taking down minutes & actions following meetings. Moreover the balancing act between my own ideas and the views and opinions of others has also been very finely tuned, working together to come up with the best and most valuable solution.

5. Critical Thinking

Through analysis of reports, statistics and qualitative data I have developed my critical thinking, addressing particular issues and subsequently devising potential solutions. Resources at my deposal have been used to devise contrasting views and proposing different options to stakeholders, providing a detailed evaluation of each potential option reviewing key benefits and raising potential areas of concern. This will greatly help in my critical analysis throughout my university work in undertaking coursework and essays to analyse a particular problem but will also aid group work and allowing for more valued and productive brainstorming sessions.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Accenture Operate a good "work hard, play hard" mentality. Whilst work in the office was focused and often demanding Accenture operate a very open minded culture which allowed for greater flexibility whilst at work. Additoannly if based on an out of town project a hotel or flat, transport to/from the office and daily food budget is provided. Other eprks include half off gym membership and a variety of unique work social events.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

When you first start with the company a role is allocated for you. For the second six months you are given the chance to source your own second project from your current team and contacts made. However due to the nature of consultantcy this is often not without difficulty, involing a wide variety of clients, in different industries with different roles available. However Accenture does a good job in addressing these issues and provides as much support as it can offer.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

One extensive weeks worth of training was provided when the placement began. Also throughout the placement you develop numerous skills and base competencies that will help you in the long-run but also Accenture should you return following graduation.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Subsidised/Company Gym
• National Travel
• Company Parties/Events
• Above 25 days holiday
• Working from home

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

If working on a 12 month placement interns for the most part are offered a job with the company. Extensive feedback agendas are in place and unless out of the ordinary mistakes are made a job offer is highly likely.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

In working at Accenture there are many social networks that can be made easily. These include fellow interns (many events held by HR), project circles (socials with close colleagues), Account updates (Accenture quaterly updates/socials for those Accenture colleagues working on the same Client Account) and various company social societies/clubs

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

London is an expensive place to live and given the fact that the Accenture main offices are in London you are asked to live in the city limits. There is not a guaranttee however that you will work out of town/in London. It depends entirely on the job role you are assigned. regardless living in London is expensive.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

In London the nightlife was as expected great! Out of town not so muchas I was based in a market town at Vodafone UK HQ in Newbury but not sure if you can count work nights as part of nightlife. Though I'm sure some could.

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Numerous chairty days were offered whilst on my palcement, as well as helping in graduate fairs with HR. Many talks were also held with other working in Accenture and networking events held usually on a monthly basis.

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

Accenture is a good company to work for, be it only for a placement or for a role after univeristy. All the top companies rate Accenture highly so to have the Company of your CV is a great advantage. Even working for them for a short period of time opens up many opportunities.

Review 70/111 for Accenture

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