Placement Year Review at Olympic Holidays

The Role

Role Description

- Input updated travel prices into live system
- take phone call queries from in-house staff as well agents
- update web-sites for special offers
- write reports on special offers

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

I enjoyed my job to certain extent before it became too mundane and repetitive. My colleagues were great fun and support, which created really good office environment. However, the company being managed by its owner who basically uses students as cheap labour, has not provided me with any training in the IT or communications despite doing it for its full-time employees. This was the biggest let down and totally affected my attitude towards the top management.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

As mentioned before, my colleagues were great and when I had personal problems, they were constantly on the phone with me. They accepted my personality and humour and I fitted well with their politics. We laughed a lot which was the best thing. (-: Even with our inline managers.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

This could be improved upon, but it was really busy at times and you sort of expect to learn how the real life goes so you learn fast and mostly on your own, by trial and error. Sometimes it was frustrating, but when it got more difficult, I could always ask for help and it would be given.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Well, firstly there were times when I could get bored as there were dead periods, but when I took on the web-site updates I was always kept busy, which suited me fine. However, there was no perfect balance as such - does it actually exist???!!! (-:

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Well, the responsibility was fairly high when inputting the prices that went live had to be correct otherwise we could have lost sales. When updating the web-site, it was all my decisions which hotels at what prices I will promote. I quite enjoyed the results, especially when good sales were made to previously badly performing destinations.

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

I know I am teachable, trainable and adaptable. I learn fast and I like to learn new things to always be motivated. I am reliable and committed, I love talking to people on the phone as well as face-to-face. I am not shy and quite sociable. I have good networking and communication skills.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Seriously, we always had fun and laughs, every day for the whole year!!!

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I am not sure what you are referring to here so I leave it as it is.

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

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 0/10

Nothing.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

• Company Parties/Events
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop

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

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 0/10

only if i was absolutely unlucky in finding a job for a year.

Other Information

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

have not socialized with them much.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

i cycled to work as it was close and I barely socialised with colleagues so cant answer.

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

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

went out maybe once and got drunk so suppose ok!!???

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

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 0/10

absolutely nothing.

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?

whatever you do in your work placement, try and enjoy it as much as possible and leave a good impression - come on time, dressed well, learn new things on your own, be pro active and communicate well. one never knows whether you will not have to return there....(-: