Internship Review at Tom Cody Design London

The Role

Role Description

Styling up print and embroidered fashion designs into garment shapes.
Assisting with screen printing screens - cleaning, washing, coating, drying etc.
Assisting with embroidered designs and printing and dying fabric.
Doing errands around London.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I started to enjoy the placement a lot more the longer I worked there, when I got to know my colleagues better and I felt more comfortable with my work tasks.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Work colleagues genuinely were quite grateful for the work I could offer them. Always very polite for assisting them with designs.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I felt comfortable enough to ask any questions I had about the work I was given. Although I had to pick up some skills by trial and error or by watching others do it.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Some days I was under a lot of pressure to get all the work done in time, but I felt like I had an important role to play in the company at these times as they couldn't manage as well without me.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

As I was working there for four months I was given a few design projects of my own to do.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I got to practice practical skills; sewing, embroidery, dying and screen printing skills which will really help me for my final year of uni. All skills will be beneficial, especially as they can be written on my CV

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

The atmosphere was good, there were a few placement students working there at the same time so I had a few others to work with and talk to. Designers were friendly and always liked to chat. We had music on to work to.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

The company seemed to get as many interns working for them as they could to benefit from the free labour. There was sometimes not enough work for us all to do.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I had no official training but learned on the job. I was there longer than most other interns I was given design projects in which they gave me advice for.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

• Above 25 days holiday

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

As I wasn't a paid employee future employment prospects are not appealing. If I was paid I might think about working for them.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

I made good friends with the students I worked with and met up with them outside I work a few times.

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

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

Cost of living was expensive as I was not paid for this job and wasnt given anything towards lunch or travel expenses.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Im sure the night life in London was amazing but I didn't get to experience it as I lived too far out and didnt have enough spending money.

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

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

Not really any activities outside of work.

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?

The hours were quite long and tiring, epecially if you have a long commute. But they were flexible if you wanted a few days off if you had worked there a while.