Placement Year Review at Rolls-Royce

The Role

Role Description

I have been working with in one of the Defence Aerospace sites of the company. I have been part of the Power Systems Design department, co-ordinating safety investigations involving nine of the company defence aerospace engines. Additionally, carrying out design reviews (ie, to assess if something needs re-design for any reason, like safety, ease of manufacturing, etc.) and I have also been involved with rig testing to validate the re-design of a component in an engine.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

It has provided me with very good experience and hands-on work. I have learned a lot about real world engineering and how a big company functions. The only negative thing of the job (not the placement) has been the IT, it was not as up-to-date as it should be.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Both people in positions above me (supervisor, chief engineers...) and team members, as well as people from other departments have been extremely supportive. There is a very good atmosphere and I have never been given reasons to hesitate to ask questions. If they are not extremely busy, people are willing to help you.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

If I had any problems with the job in question they were always happy to take me through it and give me a hand. They were normally busy, but they were aware of the difficulties of starting a new job/internship for the first time in an engineering company and they provided me with support.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Very very busy, but I do not consider it a bad thing, I think it's better to have too many things and not enough time for all of them than to be wasting time waiting for work. Plus, if you have lots of tasks that also helps you develop your time-management skills.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Among other tasks, I was trusted to co-ordinate and investigate safety issues/concerns that can have a serious impact on the business if they are not addressed, or not investigated properly. I was given the ooportunity to manage my own work and was expected to deliver and obviously ask for assistance if I saw the issue needed escalation.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

The practical experience of working during one whole year while you still haven't finished university is invaluable. The training I have received was rather specific for the company products/processes, it might not be as applicable to the outside world as the day-to-day experience. But the skills developed certainly are.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

It depends, it was a very busy office, but there wasn't a party going on. People were generally nice and there was a relaxed atmosphere and appropriate jokes were certainly allowed (and welcomed), but obviously keeping professionalism, especially when external customers where in the office.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

It was good, but it could have been better in terms of organisation from the management team and HR. Quite a bit of information (like who my first manager was) didn't reach me until almost the start date, and a rather similar thing for the end of my placement regarding the procedure for leaving the company. But the work side of it was well organised, in as much as I was working as part of the team.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

I was given chances for training on different subjects, and also they were happy (and in fact encouraged) for me to take days out of the office to do volunteering.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

• Flexi Time
• Sports and Social Club
• Financial Bonus
• Above 25 days holiday

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I have expressed my willingness to do a graduate programme with them, and they will get back to interns at the end of the summer about it. It might require a further interview nearer the time (because of being away from the company for two years), but it certainly helps a lot having had an internship now.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

There were about 30 interns during summer, and 12 during the rest of the year. We met for lunch and had some other free time activities together. We have a good relationship, in and outside of work.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

It's not the cheapest (transport is rather expensive), but it could be worse, and it helps to be earning money as well.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Bristol is a busy city, and if you like going out there are definately plenty of places to go to. The student population is big, which also makes finding places for young people much easier.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

The company has an association for all employees, but mainly aimed at apprentices, interns, graduates, etc. It is run by people from these groups, and there are frequent events that people can get involved with, and very varied (charity events, sports clubs and games, half marathons, brewery tours, dinners, parties...)

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 recommend taking a year out during your degree to do work in industry. It has boosted my confidence and given me a clear picture of what to expect when I finish university.

Review 61/94 for Rolls-Royce

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