Placement Year Review at Cummins

The Role

Role Description

Providing factory engineering support to field service engineers in terms of parts analysis and failure root cause analysis. Data analysis of top issues and investigation work. Data logging of engines and problem solving/trouble shooting hard to diagnose issues. Service manual publications.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Really good. Work is varied, interesting and challenging. Really felt I was doing a full role and not just treated like an extra so I was really part of the team.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The work I was doing was the same as them so I was in effect just one of the team. I was made to feel welcome from the start.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The company has a good set up for supporting students and management are often willing to be flexible in order to allow you to meet your career objectives. My manager operates a open door policy and is easy to approach.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Always more that enough to keep me occupied. The work load really is depedent on how much you can handle and how quickly you pick up the role.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

When I started I was the service engineer for Europe. This is a bit responsability however there is sufficient support from the team such that I was never unable to do my job.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I was put on a number of training courses which have really helped develop my problems solving ability and my understanding of failure mechanisms. The experience I have gained at Cummins will really help me in the future.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

General good atmosphere in the office with a jovial attitude. I got on well with the other members of the team in my office.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Cummins has a very good setup for placement students supporting them in the company and further in their career. They operate the IMechE monitored professional development scheme to develop you as an engineer.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was put on a number of courses right from the off to develop me as an engineer and to help me in my role within the company.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• National Travel
• International Travel
• Company Parties/Events

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

The company is expanding and recruiting so prospects are good however I think I would have to be willing to accept a different role within the company as my particular office has no vacancies.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Regular evenings out and social activities were organised. The company put us in touch so we could get to know each other before the placement started too.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Living and socialising costs are average. I managed to live quite comfortably for a year including socialising and sporting activities.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Average night life. Really depends on your choice of area to live and how far you are willing to commute.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Cummins Action Group and Imagineering are just a few ways in which you are encourage to volunteer outside of work. There is also a good social and sports club.

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?

The company is really well setup to help and support students and develop them as engineers not just using them as cheap labour. The scheme that Cummins operate is well organised and has set me up well for my future career.

Review 79/94 for Cummins

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