Placement Year Review at Marks & Spencer

The Role

Role Description

Running sales floor, managing large teams of people, ensuring company policies are delivered and implemented on time, delivering sales plan of relevant area.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

As retail is a very fast paced and difficult environment at present, this means there is never a dull moment - very busy always! Sometimes this can be frustrating as you can't give your training 100%.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Marks and Spencer colleagues are very supportive whilst on your training, made to feel welcome in both stores that i trained in. Made some great friends.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Managers in stores are very busy people, however i was alweays given support and guidance throughout my placement - more so i knew i could always ask for help.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Very! This means you learn fast and get to gain some experience in all areas quite quickly.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

M&S do portray to other colleagues as a 'mamager' as soon as you join therefore you are given quite a lot of responsibility quite quickly. This can feel uncomfortable - but it also stretches you out of your comfor zone!

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

Most of the skills you learn are transferrable to many jobs, you can develop many 'people skills' and 'life skills' as these are required day to day. The courses are also fab and many of these skills learnt can also be used later on in life.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The atmosphere can differ in the different store you work in. But generally it was upbeat and motivated!

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The scheme is organised and set up well, i know they are constantly trying to improve it - and the order in which you learn things first is currently being reviewed.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The company invests quite a lot, there are lots of initial courses to go on and these continue right through the year.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop
• Healthcare/Dental

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I have been invited back onto their graduate scheme when i finish university, this will be a 'short' version on the grad scheme as i ahve already done most of my training in my placement year.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

This was encouraged, however quite a lot of us lived far away from each other - i thinkit depends where you live. You do make lots of friends from the courses etc.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

This wasn't too bad.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I was in Harrogate and Teesside - so not great! However you can be placed anywhere.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Maybe this is where M&S could improve.

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?

If you love retail you'll love this placement. It's a year which gives you an all-round insight into M&S and how they run. Good luck!

Review 73/73 for Marks & Spencer

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