Placement Year Review at BTS

The Role

Role Description

Design, implementation and maintenance of in-house IT and communications systems. Network maintenance. Hardware installation, maintenance and support. In-house user support.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The work was interesting and varied. The working atmosphere was professional yet relaxed.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I was treated in the same way as any other (non-placement) employee. I felt I was an integral member of the team from the outset.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Although I was part of a relatively small team there was always someone on hand and willing to help if I encountered problems or needed guidance.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

The work and workload was very varied. Sometimes it was very busy and there were occassionally some quite challenging deadlines, but no more so than in any other job I have done since my placement. At other times it was less busy, but I was certainly never bored.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I was pleasantly surprised to find I was given a high degree of responsibility. Nothing I couldn't handle, but it felt like I was working on meaningful projects and actually making a difference to the company whilst I was there.

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

The skills I learnt were of some use in my final year at university. However, my entire post-university career has been based on the skills I learnt whilst on placement at BTS. If I hadn't undertaken the placement year at BTS I simply wouldn't be where I am today.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Professional yet relaxed. It was an enjoyable place to spend 8 hours a day.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

It was obviously a well practised routine. There were several other placement students working at BTS whilst I was there.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Most of the new skills I learned were picked up 'on the job' but there was always support and guidance available if I needed it. I did go on one short professional training course during my placement. BTS often offer placement students a full time job after they graduate, so it's in their interest to make sure you are trained correctly. I certainly learned a lot whilst on placement.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

• Company Parties/Events

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I actually returned to work full-time for BTS for almost two years after I graduated.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The placement students and the existing staff regularly met up outside work for various activities. Whilst I was at BTS I certainly socialised with my colleagues in several different contexts. Drinks in the evening / meals in restaurants / ten pin bowling / gigs / day trip to France!

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

It was in greater London, so it was reasonably expensive. But I was used to Central London prices as a student, so (relatively) it wasn't too bad. I definitely had more money in my pocket on placement than I did during my other three years at university.

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

Wallington is not famed for its nightlife! But Croydon is close and Central London is only about half an hour away if you ever needed a big night out.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

There were a few regular activities going on outside work. I played 5-a-side football every week and there were other sports actuvities organised by BTS (softball, I think, possibly others as well) if you were interested.

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 work hard and are good at your job there is a very good chance BTS will offer you a full-time role after your placement. All four members of the team in which I worked were recruited this way, including the Director of IT. Going into your final year at university with a solid job offer on the table really takes the pressure off. I know most of my friends had to combine revising for finals with searching for a job - I already had an offer on the table from BTS, so I could concentrate fully on my studies.

Review 1/3 for BTS

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