Placement Year Review at NATS

The Role

Role Description

Tasks include:
Looking after Air Traffic Control simulations using a Unix based system.
Organising day to day running of the simulator and maintaining booking systems.
Helping to develop and test new Air Traffic Control systems.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Appart from some quiet periods the work was interesting and fulfilling.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Made to feel very welcome and trusted to complete tasks.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Management are always approachable and helpful.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

Sometimes has far too little work to keep occupied yet at othertimes had a good amount of work.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Given as much responsibilty as my co-workers working on the same projects as me.

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

Aside from the computing aspect the placement has not much furthered my skills in physics, however It has given me highly valuable office skills such as presentation skills and communication skills.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

People were always lively and friendly aside from Monday mornings.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Very well structured and organised placement and graduate scheme.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

The placement scheme includes mandatory training classes in Air Traffic Control, Presentation skills, Engineering process skills and others.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• Subsidised/Company Gym
• Company Parties/Events
• Above 25 days holiday

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

NATS has a well structured graduate scheme and providing the economy is strong enough there isa good chance of future employment.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Very good social scene including pub lunches, nights out etc

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Not too cheap but cheaper than the area around my university.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Both portsmouth and southampton have great night life and NATS is right in the middle of both.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

A fair few opportunities.

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?

NATS offers two half year placements giving you a good look at how different areas of the company opperate.

Review 9/10 for NATS

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