Placement Year Review at Samworth Brothers

The Role

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Samworth Brothers divide their 12 months placement into two 6months placement is two different companies which was one of the reasons why I wanted to apply. Both placements gave me some valuable insights into a business environment but one of them was more relevant to me than the other.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Both companies treated me as part of their team member and not only as a placement student.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I did different jobs and projects in both places and i felt that there was usually someone I could ask for advice but sometimes employees were just too busy to support me. I also had a mentor who was sometimes difficult to get hold of but amazing in supporting me and giving me guidance when we met up. I also knew there was people higher up I could have gone to if I wouldn’t have been happy.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

There weren’t enough hours in a day!!!

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

In both of my placement I was given responsibility and I just had to "get on with it" even though I was new but sometimes that I the best way of learning.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I got very valuable skills out of both of my placements especially from my marketing role. These skills and learning’s will definitely help me in the future when I’m looking for a job. From my first placement as a production team leader I didn’t get as much out of as I expected. The job i was doing wasn’t exactly rocket science and i constantly had to look for opportunities and challenges in other areas not to be bored and to make sure I learned.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

In my first job the atmosphere was brilliant and I could guarantee that every day would be fun. In my second job the marketing employees were very serious and the office was very quiet and as a very extrovert and open person i found it hard not to share my views with other people. It's good that the office wasn’t loud as that would have made it hard to concentrate on your work but sometimes you need some small talk with other people to get to know them and to make contact fro the future. The office did have a new layout but the pressure was high which influences the atmosphere in a negative way.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The whole scheme was very well set up and organised. Just make sure it is the right direction for you and that you get the most out of it. If there are problems, don’t wait to solve them. There are people that can give you support and advice.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

In my first job I had to come forward to my manager ad suggest things i could do for my development but she was extremely willing to let me go off and explore. I’m my second placement especially in the last 3 moths I was sent around here and there and everywhere on exhibitions, to see customers, supplier, agencies just to give me experience.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• Subsidised/Company Gym
• National Travel
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Samworth Brothers really encourage you to apply to the grad scheme and they usually employ you full time after you've finished the grad scheme.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

We were 4 girls in Cornwall and we met up now and then for drinks and meals. However me and another girls lived both in Plymouth and we socialised almost everyday and I had a brilliant time that’s I’ll never forget!! We r like sisters now!! :)

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Not bad. Plymouth has lots of different places to go to, a variety of activities you can do from gym, cinema, pub and clubs, theatre, football, basketball other sports.... After rent I had plenty of money left for socialising and shopping. I chose to live in Plymouth and commute into Cornwall as there is so much more to do in Plymouth.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The night life in Plymouth is amazing! There is lost of different pubs bars and clubs to go to in different areas on the city. There is the student area, the city, the waterfront and ever big chains of clubs known nationally. If you like going out and letting your hair down, Plymouth is the place for you! A had a fantastic time!

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Active workplace offers a huge amount of activities to take part 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 really enjoyed my time in Samworth Brothers and I have gained valuable experience that i only would have been able to gain through a placement. Overall i am happy with the choices I made and the jobs I did but if I could have changed something I wouldn’t have done some more research in what areas I would want to go to as I don’t think my first job gave me as much value as the second one. This year has been one of my best times ever and that is because of the variety of jobs I’ve been involved with, the people (they make all the difference) that you work with but also because I have made friends for life and it will be sad to go back to uni and leave all this behind. I will definitely apply for the grad scheme as previous placement students seem to have good possibilities of being chosen. I am also glad I decided to commute from Plymouth as my social life made my year!

Review 11/16 for Samworth Brothers

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