Placement Year Review at Samworth Brothers

The Role

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was given so many different roles and opportunities through projects and working in different teams which improved my confidence and my key skills. I was invited to join training days and conferences and visit other businesses. The teams are fantastic and welcoming and were always there to help. I felt that i have not only increased my knowledge in the subject but i have also increase my confidence, this placement has been fantastic and i couldn't have asked for more.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The teams that work at Samworth Brothers are close knit, friendly and always willing to help. I was excepted as a valued member of the team from day one not just from those at distribution but those at the production sites as well. Throughout the business hierarchy my opinions were respected, valued and considered on all occasions when undertaking leadership roles I was supported by all.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Samworth Brothers not only assign you a line manager but they assign you an external mentor from another site which enables you to discuss any issues or problems that you are facing with someone not involved in your "day to day working life" which is highly beneficial when you have just started. You are also assigned a line manager and in my experience they are invaluable, they always have time for questions and queries they are attentive and always communicated weekly even just for a catch-up to ensure that everything was ok. Although I was given a huge amount of "freedom" and I was enabled to motivate and drive my projects my managers were always there to consult and to keep me on track.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Over the 12 month period I was constantly busy Samworth’s pushed me to achieve but they also realised that is as there to learn and so gave me opportunities to sit back and learn from others, there we're obviously some periods where I was busier than others for example Christmas.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was given responsibility from day 1. I was assigned projects that I had to drive and present the conclusions of; I was given a supervisory role over a line at Christmas which pushed my management and leadership skills. All of the work I did I had full accountability for which has given me an insight into the pressure of the business world

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

Throughout my placement I have been using the skills that I learnt at university however from doing this placement I can now visualize and put a practical element into both my final year dissertation and exams this will help me to achieve the maximum grade that I can without this experience I believe that I would be at a severe disadvantage in my final year. In the future my time at Samworth's has given me experience, confidence, knowledge and drive to take the next steps I have experiences to draw from and I have the ambition from doing this job for a year to progress and develop my skills further.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The team is close knit and we all got on well, there's always office banter and laughing (someone usually brings in cake on their birthday!!!) From the directors to the driver and warehouse ops everyone gets on and there is never an atmosphere.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The placement was well structured and informed; the company induction was in-depth and enabled you to meet the team. The company mentor scheme enabled extra support in the first months of the placement especially. Samworth Brothers also enable you to drive your own placement although they have outlined you tasks they enable you to have input into the progression over the 12 months which was fantastic.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

During my tiem at Samworth Brothers I visited other businesses including automated warehousing, i went to conferences worked with external parties on government funded projects to name a few

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• National Travel
• Company Parties/Events
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Samworth’s is an organization of 9 soon to be 10 major bakeries and 2 distribution centers the opportunities are endless, they also offer a graduate scheme which is highly regarded. Samworth's values revolve around their people and they are a fantastic company to work for.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

There we're around 14 placement students spread across all the sites some of which lived together. They all got on fantastically and Samworths also help to find accomodation if th IP's are having to move into the area.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Although i remained living in Birmingham the nightlife and cost of living are similar to Leicester. I was commuting 60 miles a day, payng rent and having a good social life and my salery covered all of it!!!

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Again Leciester is similar to Birmingham, chains of pubs little dingy pubs, an aray of clubs playing a wide variety of music.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

The company has a football team and also once a year the company holds a Samworth challenge which is an iron man competition which anyone can get involved in.

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?

I would personally say that if you are "umming" and "areing" about doing a work placement then defiantly do one this has been the most valuable experience to date and if I could go back and choose not to do one I wouldn't. The knowledge and the experience that I have gained is second to none. If you are looking for a fast paced, well structured placement that you can drive in the direction that you want to take it I would defiantly recommend a work placement with Samworth Brothers.

Review 8/16 for Samworth Brothers

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