Placement Year Review at Network Rail

The Role

Role Description

I am working on Project Management. Main tasks involving keeping documentation up to date, speaking to stakeholders and generally helping towards the smooth running of the project on a day-to-day basis. There is a lot of scope to do different things on this placement, it is not purely Project Management, if your interests lay elsewhere (technical IT work, Business Analysis) this can be catered for also.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I enjoy my placement when the work is constant and I am busy. Sometimes there are periods where the work flow is not as much as I would want it to be but this happens in every job!

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Generally, most employees are very welcomning and want you to do well and learn from your placement. There are one or two that don't like the idea of change and I think they may feel threatened by younger students comning in, but again, I believe this happens everywhere!

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The Placement Co-ordinator does a very good job of making sure you supported and gives you every opportunity to voice any concerns and will take them up with the necessary people if needed. My assignment management is very good at giving me work that is important and explains to me why it needs to be done, rather than giving me tasks that are just to pass the time and hold no real importance to the project as a whole.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

This question is quite difficult to mark as with project management the work stream differs. There are times when you are really busy and then times where there is not as much work on. Speaking to people who have been involved with project management for some time, this seems to be the way it work! Overall though, I would never say I have had too much work piled on me, but I would say the scale of the work I am being given is challenging but not too much to deal with, which is good as it allows you to learn more about the work you are doing!

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Due to the scale of money some of the projects are worth, it is unrealistic to think that you would be given masses of responsibility. Saying that, there is responsibility given to you. I am running some of the documentation within the project and it is up to me to make sure it is up to date and the people who need it are given it at the right time. I work with the Senior Project Manager and he will delegate work to me, such as building agenda's and presentations and gaining information from sources outside the business, but will keep an eye on the work I am doing to make sure it is correct, and if it isn't he gives me feedback as to how I can improve.

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

I think the skills gained on my placement will be invaluable, even if I go on to a difference Graduate role. Being comfortable in a working environment and knowing how to effectively communicate will be two of the main things I will take from my placement. Also, my time management and organisational skills are improving and this will help me massively in my final year at Uni when I am trying to deal with my final year project! It is also really interesting to see how modules you study at university link into the workplace, and I believe this will help me when trying to understand some areas of modules as I will have experience of it happening in the workplace.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

I came in at a time where a lot of change was going on in the company, so at time the atmosphere was quite tense and edgey. But generally the people in the office were a good laugh and it was quite a relaxed atmosphere, with jokes flying around.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Starting with the assessment centre, this was very well organised. Time was given so that you could meet the other candidates and relax before the actual assessment centre and this made it a lot easier. Once we were offered the job we had a training week in one of the companies training facilities. This was great as it allowed you to meet the other placement studies and get a better understanding of what goes on in the company and how you will be linked into that! After this we had a meet and greet with the teams we were joining. This was good as it made the first day a little less daunting as you already knew faces! I was then put uunder the responsibility of a member of the team who I shadowing to get an understanding of the day to day work that was carried out and once I was confident I was given more and more work.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

In terms of personal development this placement was very supportive. We have monthly check in's that analysis what you have done for the past month and where you think you have done well and where you think you need to improve. These are really good as it allows you to pick area's to try and improve on and then see how you have done at the next check in. Training opportunities were also available, but these depended on what work you were concentrating on. One of the best incentives is that the company always says that if you do well then you can get a conditional offer for the graduate scheme, where you are put through a lot of recognised training so this is a big incentive to do well on the placement!

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• Subsidised/Company Gym
• Financial Bonus
• Company Parties/Events
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop
• Above 25 days holiday
• Travel loan

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

We were told that the idea of the placement is like a stepping stone onto the graduate scheme. So if you do well and all goes to plan you will be given a conditional offer for the graduate scheme which is a great incentive to do well!

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The placements and graduates often have nights out and we all get on quite well! The others are also socialable and a lot of people go out for drinks after work or for lunches together. As I said before, it is quite a relaxed and good working environment and I think this is reflected in the social side as many of the workers seem to get on well and go out together quite often! And there is obviously xmas parties and events like that!

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I commuted from home so living was pretty cheap! But from the other placements who rented, it can be quite expensive but this is because it is central London. I think you could rent nearby for about £500 a month, which isn't that bad considering the location. London is full of things to do, bars, restaurants, clubs, shopping and anything you can thing of within minutes!

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Pubs and clubs everywhere.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

There are loads of activities from football to yoga! I don't know all of the activities that go on but all you have to do is ask around and someone will know!

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?

Have an open mind and don't be scared to ask questions or voice concerns if you aren't enjoying the work you are doing. They are really flexible and will find something you enjoy so don't just sit quietly and let the year pass you by!

Review 8/11 for Network Rail

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