Finance Placement Student Review

by Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Ltd.

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

3.7/5
  • The Role
    3.6
  • The Company
    4.0
  • The Culture
    3.5

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
  • My work placement went better than i initially anticipated. I'm coming towards the end of the process and I can clearly see how my professionalism, organisation, and mentality towards achieving tasks has excelled. If you're looking for a placement where you are given support, attention, and a challenge, KB is the place for you. On the whole - I wouldn't of changed my placement for any other company.

    4/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
  • I felt very much valued in my department. On many occasions colleagues gave me work that I would not have thought they would of trusted a 'placement student' with. As a result it gave me confidence, and changed my mentality towards persuing other tasks. I undertook a more holistic approach to starting various projects/tasks, with the thought process that I am capable of doing anything and everything I am asked to do.

    4/5

  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
  • On many occasions senior managers have dedicated their time to shaping the placement to cater your needs, and giving you the level of exposure to the company you want. As part of the scheme, you were required to conduct quaterly meetings with your manager to review/summarise your progress so far. This meeting was there for you to sit back/relax and explain to your manager what more of things you would like doing, and what less of other things you would like to do. As a result guidance/support is just a general formality here at KB.

    4/5

  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
  • Like most jobs, my placement has been a large learning curve. The placement started off slow, with little work the first two weeks, naturally i started making early negative judgements, however soon after my responsibilities increased and i was handed a couple of projects, which went allowed me to have total independence as to when i decide to do which task (sticking to deadlines nevertheless)

    3/5

  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
  • I was given a relative amount of responsibility whilst on my placement. Without me in the team, on several occasions the teams workload would have exceeded. Had my managers not felt i was ready to take on more challenging tasks, they wouldn't have given me more responsibilities. I think this is a great way to build your knowledge in the field you are working in.

    4/5

  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • During 1st/2nd year at university there were many things i had learnt assuming it is likely to be irrelavant in the real world. But i was wrong. There are many theories, practical work i have been able to apply to Knorr-Bremse, vise-versu. Consequently, skills I have learnt during this year - I am looking forward to taking back to my final year, and i strongly believe will help me secure stronger marks in assignments that I would not have been able to, had it not been for Knorr Bremse.

    4/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
  • The office atmosphere was fairly relaxed, out going, and assured independace. All employees right from day 1 helped me intergrate socially into the team, and made sure I felt like a valued member of the team. By the time my placement comes to an end, all i can say is I know for sure I am going to miss seeing the same faces on a daily basis.

    4/5

  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
  • The placement was organised well, as not just myself but all other placement students in different departments, relatively had packed schedules which garantees prospective students the job comes with a 'job design'. Second to this, we were outlined with the yearly scedule/events. The placement scheme comes with fantastic perks such as a trip to the HQ in Munich, and visits to various other sites around the UK that managment set up and organise well.

    4/5

  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • I was suprised at how much the company are willing to spend on students. Right from the first week students were taken to a 2 day professional training course to prepare you for KB life. Second to this, if the placement was not going as well as you thought, managers are happy to listen to you, to try new things out. Aside from financial investment, managers invest valuable time in teaching and developing your skills to further your career, whether that ends up at KB or not.

    4/5

  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
  • Flexi Time

    Subsidised Canteen

    Sports and Social Club

    National Travel

    International Travel

    Company Parties/Events

    Above 25 days holiday

    4/5

  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
  • For sure. When working for a family cultural company... where people are here to help, here for a laugh, here to better you as a person - it's difficult to find places where you would be happier. In my several months so far, I have seen many people emotionally retire after 25+ years of service - I think it's safe to say you are in good hands. I've also listened to many people employment path stories, and how they ended up in positions they are in, it gives me the confidence, given you are a suitable candidate, KB are willing to sponsor your education/training and further qualifications.

    4/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
  • Social events were something very pleasant at KB. At least once a month graduates are organising enjoyable socials featuring Go Karting, Meals, Paintballing, Bowling for placement students... genuinely something everyone is happy to do. Students also typically enjoyed lunches together from the company Bistro, where the food was a delight! Hot meals everyday at low cost + great quality is also an excellent perk of the company!

    4/5

  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
  • Wiltshire is typically a low cost region in terms of living. Food, fuel prices, public travel is genuinely average in comparison to other counties. Myself, coming from the suburbs of London - if anything I have found it a lot cheaper! My monthly rent has been approx 17% cheaper than what i use to pay whilst at university in Bristol.

    5/5

  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
  • My first and only negative point - Unfortunately, the nightlife is not the best. Melksham is a small town, with other neighbouring small towns. However there are still plenty of pubs/sports bars around for those who enjoy a nice cold drink! If you are going to be re-locating near the office for the year - I would advise staying in Chippenham as its the largest sized town, (15 min drive) closest to KB. Alternatively Bath is not too far away depending on which side you are coming from. However if you are leaving at rush hour than it could take you 50 mins to drive back... you’re better off coming in earlier than 8 and leaving just before 4 if Bath is your preferred choice.

    2/5

  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
  • This is also another strong positive, especially if you're a sports person! KB run indoor 6 a side football every Wednesday which myself and several other placement students have thorough enjoyed. A great laugh, and another excellent way to meet/make friends with people of all ages in departments you would not normally be able to interact with. The sports centre is literally a 30 second drive from the KB office, where you can get together with other placement students to play squash, badminton, table tennis or to just use the gym.

    4/5

    Report this review

Details

Placement (10 Months+)

Economics, Financial Management

South West

January 2016


View More Reviews