Business Management Placement Student Review

I really enjoyed my placement. It was a perfect insight into the world of work and I could not have wished for a more balanced, responsible and proactive role in a fast-growing company and industry.

I worked alongside a wide variety of colleagues during my placement. Ranging from trackside engineers who are responsible for physically building the projects I worked on, to Area Directors and Programme Managers.

Whenever I was unsure how to do something or unsure on a topic, I felt comfortable enough to ask. These questions were welcomed as my team or whoever I was working with understood that it is better to fully understand a project before you embark on it as oppose to not having full understanding and not delivering your best work.

I was very busy on a daily basis. My job involved a lot of travelling so most weeks I would be out of the office for at least 1 or 2 days in meetings for projects that branched out along the whole of the London North West route.

I was given a lot of responsibility during my work placement. I was not treated as a 'student' or an 'intern'. I was treated like a full time employ and that was highlighted through the workload I was given and the importance of the projects I was working on.

I have learnt many skills whilst being on placement. E.g. time management, punctuality, discipline, just to name a few. I feel as if this placement year has set me up well for last year so that I can hone in all of my efforts and be efficient to achieve the best result I am capable of.

Office environment is very fun! I have heard things about other offices that are not so great - however, my office was full of laughter. There was an excellent balance of work and social.

I was given a work plan at the start of my placement to get me started and give me an initial workbank. However, later on in the placement, I found my own work and individuals within the company came and found me to help out on some projects.

I completed a few training courses whilst on placement. However, this is not very necessary for a placement student. When a graduate, there are a lot more opportunities for courses to be taken.

The graduate scheme here at Network Rail is very appealing and the progression is very fast if you want it to be! It is a fast-growing company with the rail industry increasing at a higher rate than it ever has.

The social scene was a good as you wanted it to be. There was no input from the company to enhance the social aspect with students.

I lived in Central Birmingham, five minutes away from the main high street and I found a two-bedroom apartment that I shared with another placement student for the same price I live in Loughborough for. So, very cheap!!

Birmingham City Centre is a great night out!!

There were not many sporting/social activities to get involved in but there were always voluntary activities to get involved in which were very fulfilling.