Placement Year Review at Oxfam

The Role

Role Description

Political research. Correspondence. Drafting a newsletter. Miscellaneous research. Networking. Attending events/conferences. Attending meetings.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

It would be great to be paid to do this job

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

My work was valued, but because of the staff turnover it was a little difficult to build relationships

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I was given a good deal of support, but often I decided what work I wanted to do with myself on a daily basis which was excellent

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Some days were slow, others were hectic, some were just right. The Goldilocks experience

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Enough to feel I was making an impact on the (regional) organisation and that I did the work entirely myself

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

I hope to use these skills in the furture, but they are a niche skill which may not be worthwhile should i take another career direction

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Days were interchangable

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

It took a little while to work out where I was going

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Was giving a training day but charity's cannot afford to invest in temporary interns extensively

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen
• Company Parties/Events

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

There are few paid jobs available and an internship with them is usually not enough experience

Other Information

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Possible I didn't involve myself enough

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Cardiff- a capital fairly touristy city nowadays but its not London

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Cardiff has a lot going on but too much of it involves heavy drinking

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Not Oxfam related but Cardiff has plenty going on

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?

Nothing to add

Review 1/2 for Oxfam

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