Placement Year Review at Office for National Statistics

The Role

Role Description

Although my grade was administrative officer, I did work of a higher grade, including managing aspects of the team, creating and implementing projects, analysis of data for the construction of the GDP figure.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The atmosphere on the placement and the work was very enjoyable, I had a nice mix of being managed but also ensuring I managed my own workload. I also got the opportunity to develop specific skill areas I said I wanted to work on at the start.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I got on with my team really well and increasingly got involved in projects that they were working on before taking on my own. The divisional director also complimented me on my abilities.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

My line manager was very good at the beginning answering all the questions I had. She gave me links to different opportunities such as presentations, economics discussions and workshops.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I was quite busy a lot of the time, many things I was working on had different deadlines, I had the usual work which occurred each month alongside the project based work which took up the bulk of my time but had varying deadlines.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I was given a lot of responsibility from the start as they could see I was capable of dealing with large tasks. I innovated a couple of ideas which have been put into place.

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 learnt all about economic statistics, how they are produced and different processes such as deflation. I also attended many different talks and discussion groups with graduate economists which was an invaluable experience. I was also given the opportunity to develop my presentation skills, which will help me greatly with my final year presentation.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I got on well with my team, so we always has lots of conversations. I also had plenty of economic debates with another member of my team.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

The placement itself was very well set up, the only issue I had was getting a finalised start date and finish date.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

There was a lot of internal training I could attend. I was also able to attend a New Thinking in Economics seminar, along with lectures by The Welsh Assembly Government. I was given the time, travel and course expenses for these.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• Subsidised/Company Gym
• Financial Bonus
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I would still have to apply through the graduate fast stream, but was given the opportunity to go a few assessment centre style practices when I was there, I also know more about how the scheme works having worked with people who have passed the scheme.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I lived with another 4 placement students, we all got on well together and it was a nice group to socialise with. There was also work socials, one just after I'd first joined, Christmas, Easter and one just before I left.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

I worked in Newport but lived in Cardiff. Cardiff was very good for shopping with a good range of prices.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I worked in Newport, but lived in Cardiff. Cardiff had a good nightlife, but we left alot of it unexplored as there were lots of week nights events, but we needed to be asleep.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

There was the sports and social society associated with ONS. I met up with some people from Cardiff University also.

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?

My lasting impression was that everyone is really friendly, although over time I may forget some of the work I did, I will still remember the people.