Placement Year Review at Cancer Research UK

The Role

Role Description

I conducted a review of the processes and procedures at the National Retail centre (NRC) which supports the 576 Cancer Research UK shops.

I created a systems and process manual outlining all procedures for the NRC.

I created a recommendations report, outlining ways in which the NRC could improve or streamline their procedures.

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

The people and the team were great, but the work was sometimes a little monotonous for my skill set and I didn't feel that I had enough exposure to head office teams.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Great team and great manager.

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

I didn't feel like the objectives of my internship were clear. My management were not sure 100% of what they wanted from me, I found myself working from my own experiences and using my intiative to provide them with work and then ask them if that is what they wanted.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

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

Having left University in 2001 and worked for a global organisation for 8 years. I felt like I was building on my already proven skill set by working for a non-profit organisation. Working for Cancer Research UK has given me a great insight into the similarities and the differences to a profit corporation. The cultural differences were most apparent to me and also the difference in time to get changes implemented. The vision of working together to beat cancer is instilled in the culture and this makes it a fascinating and amazing place to work.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Great atmosphere, great team

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Always supported by Seth, he was always in contact and providing information.

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

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 0/10

Other than the experience of working within a new team, there was no other learning and development

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

• National Travel
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Plenty of vacancies, just worried my exposure and experience on this internship hasn't been enough to help me be successful.

Other Information

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Being in a local Horsham office rather than head office in London made it difficult to be on the social scene so much. But I was always invited anyway, which was very nice.

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

So many volunteering experiences, you won't have enough time to get involved in them all

Review 113/113 for Cancer Research UK

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