Placement Year Review at Marks & Spencer

The Role

Role Description

Duties included:
Implementation of phase change/launch, promotions and planogram’s
Driving sales through stock management, availability, shop floor standards and customer service
Involvement in recruitment and coaching of staff
Weekly Manager walk rounds regarding visual merchandising, driving sales and standards
Managing a team of around 300 employees in a fast paced environment with 25 direct reports
Engaging colleagues on store priorities and changes through team briefs, presentations and setting up in store competitions
Completing daily due diligence in order to trade safely and legally
Acting Duty Manager

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The placement year was really hard work. It involved putting in a lot of time and effort but it was really rewarding, fast paced and challenging. I was given a lot more responsibility than I ever thought I would be given for a placement year and I was treated as a Manager from day one. I got to experience many different areas of work within Marks and Spencer including the food business and fashions and also completed attatchments in other stores on the Yorkshire Region. There is also many chances to get involved in projects on the region.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

There is a massive team ethic within Marks and Spencer, especially in the stores I was placed. I really felt part of the team and was looked to for guidance and feedback. I formed some great relationships with colleagues and I felt really embraced by the team. There was plenty of nights out and activites to get involved with outside of work with my colleagues.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The Marks and Spencer training programme is very structured and there are certain criteria that you need to complete in order to be successful in your training. This allows you to focus what needs to be done and it is easier for things to be achieved. I experienced a very much hands on approach to my learning, and sometimes it was difficult to balance my learning with the demands of store operations. I was assigned a mentor, whom I shadowed and aided me with my learning and also a buddy instore who was a recent graduate. I had regualar reviews with my mentors and weekly meetings with the Store Manager.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Never stopped! The job was extremely fast paced and there was always something to do, be it in store or a project on the region with other graduates and business placement trainees. There was also a large number of out store courses to attend through out the year to increase both technical skills and personal skills such as leadership.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The amount of responsibility that I was given when I sat down and thought about it was immense! From day one you were a Manager of a multi million pound store. On several occassions I was the acting Duty Manager, literally been the person in control of the store on that day.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The skills that I learnt were both technical skills specific to Marks and Spencer and personal development skills such as what kind of leader I am, how I can develop my leadership and management skills which can be applied to any company. It has allowed me to put into practice all the theory that I have learnt at University and put a more practical spin on this knowledge. I have been offered a job with Marks and Spencer when I finish my degree, so everything that I have learnt in the past year will certainly aid me in beyond my studies.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

There was a great atmomsphere in the store, some really good people who have become firm friends. There was a great sense of team spirit and achieving things together. Everyone was listened to and there was great communication in the store from Management to store colleagues.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

You couldn't ask for a better training scheme. There was a perfect balance of practical learning and courses which helped you understand the fundemental aspects of the job. There is a good structure set up within Marks and Spencer stores (working week framework) which helps you easily get into a routine. There is plenty of support and theres a real sense of freedom to ask any questions that you want to.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Marks and Spencer invested a lot of time and money in my training and development, from courses to attatchments in other stores. I got to work with some really experience Managers who are very highly rated within Marks and Spencer and the responsibility that was placed on my shoulders showed how much they trusted me.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Financial Bonus
• Company Parties/Events
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop
• Above 25 days holiday
• Travel loan

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I have been offered a job with Marks and Spencer once I have completed my degree and will return to 3 months of training and then I will be a fully trained Commercial Manager.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

There was a great social scene with other placement students and graduate trainees on the region, we met up monthly and I met others from other regions on courses. We were very much encouraged to socialise with them; however with the demands of the job and the distance between us it was sometimes hard to find time. There was plenty of socialising within the store I was placed with colleagues and we went out regularily. It was great fun.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I stayed in the area that I already lived and commuted to Harrogate everyday. This was quite costly and time consuming. There was plenty of accomodation available in Harrogate, however it wasn't cheap and there was no aid given for relocating. The cost of socialising in Harrogate was similar to city centre prices.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

There was plenty of bars and restaurants in Harrogate and there is always something going on. However, there is only one decent night club in the town centre.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

There were many activites arranged in store for after work such as quizzes and theatre nights out in aid to raise money for nominated charities. There were numerous parties to attend at christmas time.

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 placement year is hard work, challenging but very rewarding and full of opportunities that you must grab with both hands!

Review 25/73 for Marks & Spencer

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