Placement Year Review at Cancer Research UK

The Role

Role Description

My role was to assist in the organisation and smooth running of Cancer Research UK's running, swimming and triathlon events. I also carried out extensive research into adding new events to the portfolio and maintaining existing event relationships. My position involved marketing work, PR and volunteer recruitment.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The work was hard, but very rewarding and full of opportunities for responsibility and creativity.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The team are excellent at making interns feel like full team members, with valuable contributions and ideas.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

My mentor worked closely with me to maximise my own productivity, helped to to get all I could from the internship and gave me tips into looking for further work in the charity sector.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I was consistently busy with daily tasks and long term projects, but never to the point of being unproductive.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I was given all the responsibility I asked for. I attending meetings, conducted research and felt as if my opinion was always sought.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The professional skills i attained in the internship, and the experience of working in a large charity organisation have been exponentially useful, and Im sure will continue to be useful in my further career.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Livly, bright and still productive and hard working.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The internship is broken up with many different seminars, exhibitions, meetings and catch-ups all designed to keep interns in the loop with the charity at large, and make sure they are getting the most out of their placement.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

My mentor placed high importance on my own personal development, assisting in everything from CV writing to interview techniques. The charity as a whole matched this ethos.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Company Parties/Events
• Travel loan

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Many interns have gone on to gain jobs within the organisation.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The interns keep closely knit over the whole placement, and are a great social resource.

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

Central London is never cheap, but socialising wasn't impossible because of the expence.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Close to Camden for great gigs, bars and food.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Loads of opportunities to volunteer at events, visit shops and even fundraise for the charity.

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?

It is a great placement, with tonnes of opportunities.

Review 134/134 for Cancer Research UK

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