Placement Review at H & H Logistics

The Role

Role Description

Most of my time at H & H Logistics was spent picking and packing print media orders. Hundreds of posters, fliers, and leaflets were spread across the warehouse and I was required to hand pick and pack which items certain organisations had ordered. For the last day of the week, usually Friday, I was allowed to work in the company's head office: answering incoming calls and emails; faxing specifications to potential employers; and, finally, sorting through that day's mail. Occasionally, I also delivered boxed orders to organisations within a ten mile radius.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I especially enjoyed the versatility of the placement, whereby for four consecutive days I was working on the factory floor and for the fifth I was in the head office. After four days doing manual labour, the switch to clerical-based work was a refreshing change and prevented me from becoming disillusioned with my employment at H & H Logistics.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Whilst doing the 'picking and packing' aspect of the job, I was required to work within a group of four employees spanning forty different items of print media. Taking into account that there was often over five hundred separate orders to complete every day, it was essential that me and my colleagues worked together as a team. This bonding and helping out of each other made me feel incredibly valued and kept me eager to return to work each day.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

At the start of my placement I went through the standard training process--the nature of the labour was described to me and the fire exits and canteen were made clear to me. I was also attributed a supervisor who I was to speak to if I experienced any problems. Overall, I felt pretty secure and supported during my period of employment.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I was extremely busy during the day as there was a huge number of orders to complete. Often, apart from the half an hour lunch period, I never stopped working from 9 in the morning to 5:30 at night. However, as I was part of a group of four, there was always the opportunity to socialize with my colleagues: thus I didn't mind the constant work. Likewise, while working in the company office there was enough to do to keep me happily occupied, but not so much that I felt bogged down in emails and faxes.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

H & H Logistics entrusted me to interact with both potential employers and previous customers; therefore I felt that adequte responsibility was bestowed upon me. I was expected to respond to incoming emails, telephone calls, and faxes in a professional and respectable manner, so as to maintain the company's friendly reputation. Furthermore, sometimes I was required to deliver orders to customers within a close proximity to Clayton-Le-Moors. This, I felt, perfectly showed the company's huge faith in me.

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

Apart from the social skills I picked up, which will work charmingly on my fellow students, I didn't recieve any skills that will assist me in my English degree. My course at university centres on the origin of words and the context in which they were first implemented into the English language; and--in accordance--picking and packing print media, replying to emails, and delivery packed orders will, in no way, help me when I return to my degree.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Each and every one of my colleagues was incredibly friendly and high-spirited towards me, they always involved me in discussions and listened to my opinions. Likewise, the managers of the company also joined in with the factory worker's banter--there was no visible divide between the highest-earners at H & H Logistics and the lowest: everybody felt valued and, almost, an equal.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I applied to spend my placement year at H & H Logistics because of its suitable transport location--just off the motorway. Within three days of my application, a telephone interview had been arranged. Within a week, my work placement employment was organised. Furthermore, having worked each Friday in the company's office, I can account first hand for their efficiency and speed in replying to any advances they recieve.

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

Upon learning that I was an English student, the company offered me one day a week in the head office replying to incoming emails. My supervisor informed me that this allowed me to keep my high level of writing skills up to scratch, and I was incredibly grateful for this gesture. However, as I'd made it known that I wasn't too interested in working in neither the print media nor the logistics industries, not too many resources were invested in me. After the brief introductory training period, I never underwent any other training-based procedures.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• National Travel
• Travel loan

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

If you are interested in a future in the print media industry, H & H Logistics is definitely the company to spend your placement at. They do have a graduate scheme and treat their employees in a pleasant and respected manner. However, if, like me, you're more keen on an English centred career than this company isn't the right place to go.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

From my experience, every employee at H & H Logistics contributed to and helped make the company's social scene so impressive. Unfortunately, I was the only student on a work placement at the organisation during my period of employment there. However, the permanent staff made my time more than enjoyable.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The price of the local amenities is quite cheap, with a typical night-out usually costing me no more than £30--including the taxi home. Plus, one great advantage of the area is the large number of different supermarkets withing walking distance from each other. This allows you to shop around the different supermarkets and find the best deals on the food and drinks you require; thus lowering the cost of refreshments and food shopping. In addition, there are a huge variety of different property developments in the area. Whether you desire a flat or a house, you are guaranteed to find a place of residence for a small price.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

There are a large number of pubs in the Clayton-Le-Moors area, meaning that each night of the week there is an event occurring. Furthermore, there is a town centre a short bus ride away containing three separate clubs--each specializing in a different genre of music. Countless to say, there are numerous bars scattered across the town. All in all, the nightlife is rather splendid.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

During the football season, a large number of H & H Logistic's employees visited the local football grounds to support the Clayton team against whichever opposition they were up against. This was the main social event for my colleagues and throughout the course of the week they would invite each employee to join them in watching the game that Saturday--something which I did on many occasions. Also, at 5:30 every Friday many of my colleagues joined each other in the local pub for a few friendly beverages; as with the football the next day, everyone was invited to this event and encouraged to accept their invitation.

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?

This company is located on a retail park just minutes from Junction 5 of the M65, thus travelling from home is a definite option to placement students.
Initially, you do have to pay for clothing and footwear when working in the warehouse; however, you are re-imbursed with this money when you recieve your first wage.