Placement Year Review at Marks & Spencer

The Role

Role Description

Within my year at Marks and Spencer I took on four big projects, and have fine-tuned organisational and time-management skills from this. The year also developed my communicational skills, from having to carry out team briefs to the whole store to conveying my points in meetings. My main responsibilities were driving sales, and ensuring that the team was delivering outstanding customer service. The job involved a wide range of tasks including setting layouts, delivering standards and overseeing the training and development of the team. I also regularly carried out the Duty Manager role for the store.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was made to feel part of the team from day one and made some really great friends with the people that I worked with.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

My line manager was brilliant, giving me guidance and support where I needed it and if he couldn't help he would point me in the direction of someone who could.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was given real responsibility from day one, and often carried out the Duty Manager role, where I was the most senior member of management in the store.

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 placement wasn't really related to my studies or my future career ambitions, but I did develop some very valuable leadership, organisational and communication skills that I will use in my degree studies and in the future.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The team I worked with were great, being professional when work needed to be done but equally fun when the atmosphere needed lifting.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

At some points it felt like no one knew what I should be doing, or what attachment I should be completing next, but apart from that it was very well structured and organised.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was regularly required to attend courses in order to develop my skills.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• Company Parties/Events
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was offered a job once finishing University but I have decided not to take this as I want to pursue a career in Finance.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Review 73/73 for Marks & Spencer

Previous