Research and Development Review

I have reasonably enjoyed my placement, the work could be dull at times however I have learnt a lot and developed my skills significantly. It depends a lot on what department you get put in. With the 6 month rotations you may have a good and a bad one, I would say my first one in Product Safety and Compliance is one of the worse ones, the work could be dull and disinteresting albeit incredibly useful the team has been a lot of fun.

Very much so valued, most people take you serious despite being a placement student however some will decide not to do your work but that may have been because some of the work I was asking them do to was boring and time consuming. My team has been good, I fitted in well. despite having more boring work we have more banter.

Support was second to none, sat beside my manager who supported me at any time when I needed it, had regular desk reviews where I could discuss anything I wanted that I was having trouble with.

Varied, at times I was working very hard and other times I could be left thinking of work to do. Most projects were long term and work could dry up in the short term while waiting on something.

Enough, I was given responsibility for some projects of my own that carried throughout the 6 months, there was a lot of learning with these projects as most of it was not stuff covered in uni. Responsibility was enough so that I could make enough decisions of my own yet I could always go back to my supervisor for advice with anything I was unsure about.

They won't help me massively in my degree studies as most of it has been developing communication skills. However in further life and in future employment a lot of the skills will be transferrable to other jobs, not many companies have a safety and compliance team yet it applies to a lot, as I have mentioned the work could be dull but at the same time useful.

Great general atmosphere, everyone was incredibly friendly and willing to help at all times. Cakes were bountiful, very bountiful ... probably gained a stone. Nobody was too strict, if you had to be flexible with your working times then normally that was fine. Had the balance of work and banter right.

Placement was very well organised, received initial induction training on first 2 days and PPE was given out. We were then shown to our desks where our computer/laptops were ready, received full support on anything we needed support on with regard to getting set up. We were notified of our roles prior to arriving.

Received basic Yellow belt six sigma training during induction. Depending on your role there is some formal training that you can go on. There is a lot to learn but mostly it is not done through formal training, it is done through work and your supervisor shows you. Possibly more could be done in terms of formal training.

Future employment prospects are very appealing, the grad scheme has 4 6 month placements and the pay is very good. No placements are offered a grad job after placement and you will have to interview again although with experience in the company you will be much more likely to get a job.

Social scene amongst placements was great, you are quite limited in what you can do in Peterborough but generally all social events are fun. There are regular trips to the pub and regular events ...which end up in the pub. It is very easy to integrate. And with quite a few other placements and grads there is always plenty of people.

Cost of living was reasonably low, for 350 a month I rented a small room with all bills included with a few other placements, you could walk into the city centre and to work within half an hour. Cost of socialising is average, some great pubs in peterborough that are worth a visit.

Nightlife is pretty average, with not many nightclubs in peterborough. Edwards is worth a visit for the cheesy music. The sort of place for the macarena and the cha cha slide ... 4 times a night. Some great pubs in peterborough, Charters and the brewery tap getting a special mention, some great nights there.

Various activities, different sports clubs, football, badminton, more football clubs. Some teams have team challenges. the Young Professionals United Kingdom organise pub trips and the stamford pub crawl was a lot of fun. There are various other things to do outside of work that happen quite regularly sports and other things.