Placement Review at Oddies

The Role

Role Description

I practically shadowed the manager of the Oddies chain that I was spending my placement in. Each morning I was involved in checking stock and monitoring new deliveries, then during the rest of the day I would supervise proceedings at the bakery and shopfloor. I was under pressure to make sure that profit levels were consistent with the previous months and that all members of staff - from the shopfloor assistants to the higher managers - were all happy with the outcome.

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

Going from education to business professional wasn't an easy transition for me and initially I really struggled with the pressure of having to perform to a high level each and every day. At university there was only one really pressured moment every semester - when exam day arrived - whereas on my placement it felt like each day was full of stress and worry. The working environment wasn't bad, it was my personal inner struggles that made me not enjoy it as much as I maybe should have.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

After a lengthy time shadowing the manager I was expected to stand up and perform her job without her supervision and support. This was when I felt most valued as I was able to see the impact of my decisions directly. Once I'd settled in and could focus clearly on the tasks ahead, I felt supremely vlaued by the other workers.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The first few months were spent with me working under the chain's manager every day which allowed a strong bond to grow between us. We were very close and regularly discussed methods of action. Even when I was placed in a position where I was the sole manager of the shop I still felt that if I made a big mistake or was stuck on something I could approach her and discuss it with her.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

I was very busy and would have preferred to have had maybe a day or two a week where I wasn't in such a significant and responsible position. I usually worked weekends and was absolutely exhausted by the time Saturday evening came around.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Towards the end of my placement I was practically the manager. I made all the decisions and kept everything afloat - it was almost as if it was my own business which I was running.

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

Not only did it help me with my degree but it also gave me a huge insight into what I should expect when I graduate and make my way into the business industry full time.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Although, as you would expect at a bakery, it was near enough busy every minute of the day - and especially hectic at lunch time - me and the other staff still found time to talk to each other and keep ourselves happy. A lot of the time the atmosphere in the shop depended something as simple as the song playing on the radio - little things like these became perks of the day.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Faultless. Very quick and simple.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

For the first few months of my placement I was personally trained by the manager of one of the county's leading and most popular bakerys. I felt like the company put a lot of faith and trust in me and resultantly felt the pressures of these when I stepped up to the role of managing the shop.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Financial Bonus
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I would gladly work there but it's notoriously hard to attain a management positon there permanently. However they have a high turn over of shopfloor assistants if you're not a business graduate.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

After work on Sundays we all went for a pub lunch together at a local brewery. Although I wouldn't call any of the other staff friends - more like friendly acquaintances - I was still on good enough terms with them to go and socialise outside of the workplace.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Unbelievably cheap. There are lots of bargain and discount shops that make the cost of living more than reasonable. There is also a ton of pubs within a very short distance for you and your friends to enjoy.

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

Brierfield is more of a day place than a town for nightlife. There are practically no bars or nightclubs, only pubs. However if you're like me - and feel more comfortable dressed down in a pub than dressed to the nines in a club - you'll be fine.

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

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

There was the pub lunch on a Sunday afternoon and that was about it.

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?

Be aware that you only get a half an hour lunch break at the company and that you are expected to work most weekends.

Review 2/2 for Oddies

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