Placement Review at Marks & Spencer

The Role

Role Description

Daily work included engaging with customers, analysing commercial information, acting on this information to improve sales, helping to run a commercial team, updating customer assistants on key information and managing ambiguity.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Enjoyed the placement, my colleagues were friendly and I developed some great communication, leadership and team working skills.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Often I felt highly valued by my colleagues. Many of the tasks I was assigned to were similar to the tasks undertaken by graduate trainees making me feel less like an intern and, although the role was difficult at times, there was a lot of support

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Lots of support given by various supervisors in regular monthly meetings and on an ad hoc basis

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Generally busy, never bored, but how busy it was often depended on the time of year, it was very busy over Christmas, New Year and Easter as these are big events in the retail calendar.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

On the placement I was given a great deal of responsibility particularly in the management of store resources, store projects and small commercial decisions.

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

Working on the retail leadership scheme really improved my ability to lead and communicate clearly to large groups of people, work effectively in teams and organise and structure by working week. Back at University I am more structured with my work and a better team player.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Atmosphere changed from team to team, but most teams were friendly and very supportive.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

On the whole organisation was good, placement students follow a structure almost identical to graduate trainees

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I received over 80 hours of training from the company and have acquired a range of useful skills through the process.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Financial Bonus
• Company Parties/Events

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

hope to continue my graduate training with the firm as a Business Placement returner

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Regular graduate meetings and drinks.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

London’s an expensive place, but you are given an extra allowance to compensate for this.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The nightlife was fantastic; never a dull moment in London, there’s loads of bars, clubs and fun day time activities

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

M&S offers a number of clubs and social activities for employees and most stores have a social committee

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?

An industrial placement year is a great way to develop a broad range of skills which make University in third year much easier

Review 65/73 for Marks & Spencer

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