Placement Year Review at Vauxhall

The Role

Role Description

Reduced Warranty created by the manufacturing process.

In other words, an engineering Poirot! Investigate a warranty claim, find the root cause and fix. Simple. A different investigation everyday, from all areas of the manufacturing process.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Great experience. Befriended some great people who I am still friends with today (2 years later), still getting invited to staff Christmas meals. Oh yeah, and the work wasn't too bad either. A great mix of challenging, rewarding and educational. You were genuinely contributing, not just doing jobs that nobody else wanted to do. Highly recommended.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Partly answer in the question before. You are treated as equal, with any additional support you ask for. Your opinion is respective and your ideas and suggestions taken seriously.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Plenty of support. More could have been provided if required. Although didn't find that I needed that much, the objectives of my role were clear from the offset.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

It was perfectly balanced as you essentially could choose how busy you wanted to be. I choose to be busy, as the idea of a placement year is to gather as much experience as possible. Others might have chosen to be a little less busy.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Not quite running the show! But lots of responsibility. Headed a fair few projects. Presented findings on a regular basis.

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

Invaluable skills. Skills that can't be taught in the lecture hall, plus some that just about can be, but is much better to experience it first hand.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Relaxed. But work was being done at the same time. People in the office very approachable, Although didn't spend much time sat behind a computer screen.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Good... lots of organised events, especially at the beginning when people were getting to know each other.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

A couple of training sessions for various skills. Most training was done on the job.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

• There were no perks with this placement year

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Unfortunately, I'm not sure they are running a graduate scheme. But will be inquiring.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

95 undergrads. Don't think I need to say much more do I? Although I preferred socialising with guys from my team.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Cost of living was fairly cheap, some really nice (and hence expensive) areas around Luton. eg Harpenden. £3.50-4 a pint.. but definitely worth it. Especially in the summer. Luton prices fairly average (non-uni).

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Luton is an average night out at best (personally) but atleast once if not twice a month there would be a night out in Milton Keynes or Watford planned. They are good nights out.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Wooden Spoon 4 Peaks Challenge. London2Brighton. 5-a-side football. and there were plenty more if you had the time.

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?

100% recommended.

Review 59/61 for Vauxhall

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