Brand and Product Developer Review

by John Lewis Partnership

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

3.8/5
  • The Role
    4.4
  • The Company
    2.9
  • The Culture
    4.1

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
  • I found the culture at Waitrose a bit of a shock when starting out. I was a bit slow getting used to the new environment. However, once I got used to that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

    4/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
  • I felt valued by my colleagues in most instances. The partnership is very good at being very welcoming. There is a general ethos that everyone is equal. Of course there are exceptions to this - when people have come from a different company they sometimes struggle to get used to the culture.

    5/5

  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
  • Guidance is always available. But the student needs to show initiative to ask for it. The manager is not going to know what the student is thinking.

    4/5

  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
  • This can be dependant on the placement. During the first quarter of my placement, I found I wasn't that busy. The managers need time to gather what tasks you will be good at. The student should use their initiative by demonstrating what they can offer the team. I personally carved out a couple of roles for myself over time. During the second half of my placement I was extremely busy.

    5/5

  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
  • I was given high levels of responsibility on the placement. Again, this will only come if the student uses his/her initiative and expresses their objectives of the placement from the start.

    5/5

  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • The skills I developed have helped me greatly in university and generally in life. These are mainly transferable skills, however I am sure that I will see the more specific skills I gained, become beneficial once I graduate.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
  • The atmosphere in the office is very friendly. You can go to anyone for advice or help on anything.

    4/5

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

    3/5

  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • I was given some training. I was given support when I expressed an interest in going to a conference which I believed to be valuable to my professional development, and training for systems was available should we have needed it.

    4/5

  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
  • Flexi Time

    Subsidised Canteen

    Sports and Social Club

    Company Car

    Subsidised/Company Gym

    National Travel

    International Travel

    Financial Bonus

    Company Parties/Events

    Staff Sales/Staff Shop

    Above 25 days holiday

    Working from home

    Healthcare from home

    Healthcare/Dental

    Travel loan

    3/5

  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
  • The future employment prospects are good if you are prepared to work in-store for at least 1 or 2 years.

    3/5

    The Culture

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

    4/5

  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
  • Cost of living was more than reasonable in Reading providing you share with a minimum of 3 others. Food prices, gas and electricity were easily affordable too.

    5/5

  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
  • Nightlife was OK in Reading, but there was easy access to London (30 mins on train) if you wanted to go to London for a night out.

    4/5

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

    5/5

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Details

Placement (10 Months+)

Market Research, Marketing, Product Design

South East

November 2014


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