Placement Year Review at BAE Systems

The Role

Role Description

Working within a small team to implement lean manufacturing throughout the site. Working with suppliers to ensure they have pipelined stock, creating cell layouts that are more efficient, implementing point of use material onto the shop floor, problem solving.
There was a great deal of overtime that I completed, mainly working weekends.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

It was an interesting placement that allowed me to learn a great deal, although there is a great deal of data analysis and excel work involved.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was treated as an equal even though I was only on a placement year and given as much responsibility as any other worker.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Managers were always there to help when I had an issue and quite approachable.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

It varied on a daily basis. Because of the nature of the work each day was different and produced different challenges, some days were quiet with low work levels but others were hectic.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was leading meetings from very early on and when my manager was out, people would approach me instead with issues that needed solving.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

The skills and training for my degree were applicable but would be more applicable to a manufacturing engineering degree. However the expereinces I had whilst there, such as reshuffling of organisational hierarchies and company poilitcs are greatly applicable and will be very useful in my final year.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

As it was a small office there was a nice atmosphere and everyone was very close. We occassionally had office nights out for birthdays.

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

There was not a great deal of structure to the placement and it required being thrown in at the deep end and learning on the job. I didnt feel as though there was a specific role I was meant to be put into and instead did a mixture of jobs whilst there.

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

★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 1/10

I had basic training courses that were required to be completed by all employees but other than that there was no formal training.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

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

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

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 0/10

Due to the current climate I was informed that there would be no business graduates taken on for the next few years at Rochester's site which means that there is no chance of future employment within the site, although BAE as a whole are still hiring business graduates.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

There was a very big graduate community within the company with weekly socials and a very good atmosphere. It was like being at University but with money!

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Relatively cheap as there is a University in Rochester and so some student deals in pubs and clubs. Cost of living was not overpriced, although much cheaper to share accommodation

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

There are a lot of pubs in Rochester but few clubs. Best place for a night out is Maidstone or going into London.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

There was various activites that could be taken. Go karting tracks are nearby, gyms and dance studio behind work

Review 15/27 for BAE Systems

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