Placement Review at Wood Group Engineering Ltd.

The Role

Role Description

Introduce and implement the usage of PipeNet firewater design software into the Engineering Solutions division.

Provide general support to the Chemical Engineering team of this division of Wood Group.

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

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 0/10

I didn't enjoy my placement as I was never utilised and always felt like a burden rather than an asset.

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

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

Colleagues would only use me to do the jobs that they didn't want to do. For example, convert a PDF document to Word or cover the project secretary role. The Chemical Engineering work I demanded to be given was well received however, but only by those less senior in the organisation, who would be using it.

In essence, I got on well with those less senior but was ignored and undervalued by my supervisors and those in more senior positions.

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

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

There was virtually no support. Any task I was set I had to demand and needed to constantly ask questions to gauge an idea of what was expected of me. When I had problems nobody could help me so I had to take my own initiative which was frustrating but also a good learning experience. On presenting my finished product, my supervisors were never interested which was very demoralising.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 0/10

I was always bored. I would bring a book into the office and read that and sometimes even watch iPlayer. Nobody cared what I did as long as I wasn't a bother. When I asked for work it was held in bad regard.

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

I had to cover the role of project secretary for a month which demanded a lot of responsibility however no one which that was applicable to engineering. I was also assigned the role of 'scribe' in meetings which required responsibility in recording and issuing minute meetings. They knew I was responsible and well organised but yet never used that constructively in any engineering application which was extremely frustrating.

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

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

I know how an organisation works and how to put up with difficulty in a professional manner and for a long time. I had also seen chemical engineering specific documents and have learnt that the oil industry isn't where I wish to pursue a career.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

In general people were very friendly except towards the end of my time when my second supervisor became hostile towards me when it became obvious that I wasn't being given enough work and was bored.

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

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 0/10

The set up was horrendous. They had never had a Chemical Engineer student before and had no idea what to do with me. The supervisors I was allocated had far too much on their plates to deal with a student as well so guidance was severely lacking. I never had any check ups or feedback sessions so had to bring things up when convenient to them. The division wasn't able to support a student and never was prepared so it was doomed from the start.

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

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

I went to some training events which I had to organise myself. Lots were available but my supervisors always told me that they wouldn't be able to justify the funding for me. This was a great shame.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

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Rated 0/10

• Company Parties/Events

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Graduates are placed in a 4 year scheme, during which time they can become
Chartered. Job prospects and salaries after that are quite attractive. However my experience within Wood Group has put me off ever applying for a job with them.

Other Information

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

There were 2 other placement students my age who were very sociable and often nights out were organised so I got to know my colleagues throughout the year. There was an induction week which involved fun activities and team building which was very helpful
in allowing all the new intake to get to know each other.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I lived at home so didn't have to pay anything. Aberdeen is quite an expensive city but there are plenty of cheaper options in terms of housing as well.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Aberdeen is really good fun at night! It probably helped that I had friends in the city and knew everywhere as well however.

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

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

Occasionally there would be the odd visit to a power plant but this only happened once in the 7 months I was there.

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?

The other two placement students were interested in Mechanical Engineering and had a good time. Wood Group had a history of accepting Mechanical Engineering placement students but none with Chemical Engineering ones, despite having many Chemical Engineers in employment. Thus don't apply if you aren't interested in MechEng! Also, avoid Engineering Solutions as a division to work in. It was far too small and unequiped for a student.