Placement Year Review at Cognito Ltd

The Role

Role Description

Bug fixes, code changes, Individual projects, inter-departmental team projects.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

It was fantastic. I was in charge of developing Mobile PDA software to provide companies with mobile workforce solutions. I learnt a great deal of programming knowledge in my year at Cognito, including C, C++ and C#. I also learnt how to develop using an Agile software devlopment methodology.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

No-one was afraid to lend a supportive ear and due to my strong progress whilst their I was invited to join some of the most high profile projects being undertaken ny the company at the time.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

My then manager was incredibly supportive, offering a range of advice in all the areas I was working in. Even during the last weeks of the placfement, I was still learning presentation skills from them and picking up one or two of their managerial traits.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I was often busy, fixing this or coding that, and it wasn't often that, when my time wasn't spent doing the core of the work designated to me, I was not off in some meeting or solution based training session. It was full on and I enjoyed that.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Loads! In terms of being involved in the important things, owning my own code or project etc. I was definitely running the show. However, because I was often so busy, I unfortunately did not get a chance to stretch my leadership muscles.

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 am currently back at University and using my coding, development, team woprking and presentation skills on a daily basis. I definitely have th upper hand on my peers and lecturers and project supervisors recognise this and entrust responsibilities accordingly.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

We had a great time, lots of work getting done, but everyone knew how to have fun and relax too. There was never a dull moment and I remember fondly all of the memories taken away from the place.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

At first it was a bit of a rocky start, with me finding my feet and the company guaging my abilities. But after about a month everything clicked and it was plain sailing from then on. The tasks and projects for me were organised, concise and taught me the right things at the right times.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I was invited on the company retreats and team building weekends whenever they were scheduled.n Most of the training I recieved however, was very informal, but importantly was one on one, normally with one of the most senior developers in my team!

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• Company Parties/Events

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The future with Cognito looks very promising.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Nights out in Newbury and Reading, weekends of this and social events of that. I made great friends there and intend for it to remain that way.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I commuted from Reading which is fairly expensive to live in, however I'm used to this and a company car pool from day one of the placement eased alot of my worries about travel costs.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Newbury isn't bad, but I tended towards the nights out in Reading as I lived there. Reading has quite a few clubs and bars, and is only a ~25 miute train ride away from London.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Yep, I joined the Gym with fellow team mates and I.P's and saw it through for a good 8 months. Other than that there was the general socialising 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?

I'd just like to say that this kind of review could never do the placement I had justice. It was amazing in every way, the eople were fantastic and I learnt so much, I can't stress how much of a better position I'm in right no because of the year I spent at Cognito.

Review 5/5 for Cognito Ltd

Previous