Placement Year Review at Debenhams

The Role

Role Description

- Critical Path Management
- maintaining Sample Library & colour swatch files
- Colour matching with the Assistant Buyer
- Weekly Comp Shops
- preparing samples for fit sessions
- attending fit sessions and typing up notes
- liasing with suppliers
- Training new starters to replace me
Main Project:
Working with the AB to develop and produce a new sleepwear range to sell in stores. I worked on all areas of the development including design, negotiating cost prices, developing garment fit and negotiating delivery dates.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

I had a very difficult few months with a high turnover of staff on the department. My last few months were my favourite where I was given added responsability and a much clearer job role.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

This depends completely on what team you're in and how your line manager sets the example - I worked for 4 line managers and each one created a different team atmosphere.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The HR training sessions run just for placements were great as we got a chance to share our feelings and experiences with other students. Gillian who ran them sadly left, but I'm sure whoever takes over will be fantastic also. Some training was also done at london college of fashion which was brilliant also.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

I was extremely busy every day and very rarely worked the typical 9-5pm or had an hour for lunch.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Again this depended on my line manager, but 1 team left me to completely organise my time and update them along the way. The other team treated me a bit like a spare part with 1 of the line managers saying "your job role isn't really needed" - didn't make me feel great, but I picked myself up and proved that I was needed, eventually I was given more responsabilities on that team too.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

My final year has already been helped by my experience. My knowledge of the industry is something that a lecture can't teach you. students who have been on placement I think are finding it easier to apply the experiences to lectures and reports. I've also already been offered a job back when I graduate so I can just get on with my degree and finish without having to stress about finding a job too.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The office is always busy, and friendly. There's also lots of laughs and smiles. If you're feeling down the girls tend to just pick you up!

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I think that everyone had a very different experience. I think that your job role depended a lot on your line manager. I was just lucky to get such a good project. The placement scheme is a job. It's not something where people are holding your hand all the way through and I think that's important for developing your job skills for when you leave uni.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The HR team did all they could to organise training sessions for us. The only thing I think could have been better is that HR could follow through that line managers carry out regular appraisals - some people only had 1 in the whole year. I found that each one I had kept me moving forward and developing my skills. It also helped me make my line manager aware of exactly what I was doing and how much (often they aren't aware as you work more closely with the AB than the buyer).

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

• Financial Bonus
• Company Parties/Events
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I already have a job offer from them.

Other Information

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

We tried to organise things ourselves, but with everyone having there own agenda's it's really hard to get people together. I did make some really good placement friends though who I'll keep in touch with.

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

I had to have a second job with an agency to be able to afford extra costs like gym, going out and xmas/birthday presents.I worked with an Agency called at your service who have so many shifts in different places and different times that you can almost always get hours. I also got to work at London Fashion Week with them which was great. They also tend to do lots of celeb events - i got to meet Johnny Depp when I worked VIP at a film premier! If you want to join their books do it before you start working monday-friday as they tend to do training for half a day in the middle of the week and you don't want to have to take a day's holiday to get trained :)

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

We were based on oxford street, so literally a 5 minute walk to Soho and the Mayfair clubs. Lots of fun nights to be had!

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

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

There was nothing organised for us by the company. People formed their own running groups etc.

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?

Many people don't do a placement because they want to just "get done with uni" and I think that's a really bad reason to not do one. If anything my placement made me realise how much I took uni for granted and I'm enjoying my final year so much more now - after all it's only 7 months at uni!!

I knew that when I came back for final year I wouldn't know many people as most of my friends graduated, but I just joined a sports club again in freshers week and instantly I had a friend network again.

My placement scheme has helped me with my uni work as I've got contacts I can talk to for research, and I'm now able to understand lectures more and think about how things would work in industry.

I would recommend a placement if you can afford it. I'd also suggest taking it as a non-assessed break year from uni so that you don't have to pay the tuition fees for the year still. I think very few students got much more than just a visit from a tutor - not really worth the £1,500 tuition charge!

Review 6/26 for Debenhams

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