Placement Year Review at Astute Ltd.

The Role

Role Description

A Business Development Agent is someone who makes sales calls as part of a campaign for a company for whom he/she is working to promote their products. At present I am working with Cisco and one of their local suppliers Blue-chip, based in Poole, on an appointment setting campaign where contact is made with companies generally aware of Cisco but not very familiar with their product base. The purpose of the campaign is to try to persuade these companies to agree to an advanced technology workshop within their organisation. Because we are not selling anything, and are providing a free service, we are able to turn a lot of cold calls into successful appointments.

To get to the stage I am at present has taken many weeks of training, as well as many re-workings of scripts so that my pitch does not sound too much like ‘hard sell’. I feel that I am now at the stage where I am confident and well educated on my relevant campai,gn and am able to have engaging and insightful conversations with IT Managers.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I really enjoyed my job working at Astute with the people and the environment within the company making it an absolutely perfect choice for a University placement student to work. The amount of learning offered and direct hands on experience within the role provides invaluable work experience for any future position in which one might find himself in the future.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The staging of several social gatherings throughout the year, and in particular the party held for all new placements, really made me feel as though I was considered to be an important and valuded member of the organisation. I found all my colleagues and well as the management to be extremely helpful and supportive and unlike some of my placement colleagues, I was keen to stay and work for Astute as long as possible, overall enjoying the whole experience.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The thing that I particularly enjoyed was the fact that I was able to utilise and draw upon the units I had studied as part of my degree. This knowledge combined with the very good training provided, particularly at the commencement of my placement, enabled me to build greatly on the skills I had learnt so far in particular of course by being able to and indeed encouraged by management in particular to put my own particular skills into practice. A few examples of the modules in particular I found useful were the utilisation and practice of networking, database practice and telemarketing skills, all practices widely used in today's marketplace.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Like most companies, we were kept busy but with the setting of personal targets, it was something to strive for with the reward for over achievement of a bonus. I particularly found this something very beneficial for myself as a person, something which kept me focused and keen to achieve. I think that such reward as offered by Astute, is excellent to make students feel well rewarded for effort, something often I have been told by my colleagues, is lacking in other companies. It also enabled me to earn more, something important to me and something for which I could strive. Additional incentives like being allowed to leave early including on a Friday, were also very positive and although the company of course is looking for results, it did make me feel that it was not merely a 'one sided' sitution solely in the favour of the company.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Once I had demonstrated my capabilities for carrying out the work and achieving the targets expected of me, I welcomed the extra responsibility afforded to me. I feel this allowed me to develop far more than perhaps I might have been able to in other companies, again with good effort and continuity being well rewarded. This is something which I feel will allow me to broaden my own personal C.V. when applying for other positions in the future and I think that the level of responsibility I was given has also greatly improved my confidence levels.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

With so many companies now focused primarily on telemarketing as their main tool for business, I am very pleased that I was able to work in a company such as Astute as the knowledge and skills I have gained will, I believe, serve me well both as part of my final year studies and in my future employment. Telemarketing can be very difficult and quite daunting when initially being undertaken and I think it is a difficult skill to successfully manage. However, the training and guidance in particular from the team leaders has served to guide me successfully through the overall process. This coupled with the opportunities I wwas given to improve my IT skills in particular will I am sure prove to be invaluable in my future career.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The overall atmosphere was friendly, helpful and generally a pleasant atmosphere in which to work. I was a little unsure when I first started at Astute but never felt excluded in any way.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Extremely well organised and the set up well thought out and professional, I think it was helpful that the management had undertaken the same degree as myself.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

A great deal and at all times they seemed anxious and keen to ensure that not only was I enriching the company but also developing much further myself. I felt I was treated as an individual not merely a 'cog in a large wheel'.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

• Subsidised/Company Gym
• Financial Bonus
• Company Parties/Events
• Healthcare/Dental

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I would welcome the opportunity of future employment by Astute in two ways, firstly through upward progression e.g. as a team leader and moving upward through the various levels of management and secondly, the opportunities available for being placed with one of Astute's customers.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Yes very good always lots of opportunities for socialising and meeting new people.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Very reasonable compared to many other areas of the country and with Bournemouth university in close proximity, good opportunities for good and reaonably priced accommodation.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Fantastic nightlife, a place visited a great deal and very popular with people from other parts of the country, it has a great reputation!

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Yes more than you could possibly do, it was hard to find the time to work sometimes with so many opportunities available.

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?

Overall a very professional and welcoming company in which to work as a placement student - thoroughly recommended to others.

Review 4/10 for Astute Ltd.

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