Logistics Undergraduate Review

An excellent placement, with varied and challenging work. Enjoying enough responsibility to feel like one of the team. Taking the lead on a project where the decisions are driven by me is both challenging and very rewarding!

From day one I felt like one of the team, trusted to manage my own work. Covering my colleagues work when they are out of the office, Siemens runs a scheme where colleagues can nominate you for a reward if they feel you've done exceptional work, it's always great to know that the work you are doing is making a difference.

Full training on all tasks was undertaken within the first few months of placement, with support from my line manager if I had any issues. "There isn't such a thing as a silly question", it's very much the attitude and it works really well.

Like any job some days can be so busy you feel like you're chasing your tail. Although for the majority the work/life balance is great at Siemens, flexible working lets you manage your work to the hours you want.

The responsibilities of my role go from invoicing to imports, doing work that makes a real difference to the business. I also took the lead on a project with one of our suppliers, working with other departments of the business such as procurement and direct staff. It was a great opportunity to really develop my presentation and communication skills whilst learning about supplier negotiations.

The time management and independent motivation is something that can only help in further academic study. There are so many skills to take from a role like this that will be useful well beyond university study, interview skills, presentation skills, communication, time management, interacting with suppliers, negotiation. All these skills have developed significantly in my time at Siemens and I'm sure they will be useful for university and the job market alike.

I work in an open office with a range of different people, it's always great as it allows you to understand the whole process rather than just knowing your teams role. The office is always friendly and relaxed, it's a nice place to be everyday.

Siemens employs lots of interns throughout the UK and does a really good job of getting everyone to meet each other. The internship is well structured and includes off-site days where you get to meet Siemens interns from other sites, it's all good networking!

You are always encouraged to ask for training if there is something you would like to improve. I have attended multiple training sessions on a variety of topics, from excel to team building.

The job market is difficult for most graduates but with a placement you get the upper hand, I hope to return to Siemens after graduation.

There are four other twelve month placement students at the site I work on. We were all put in touch with each other before moving here and we now live together and share lifts. There is a good social scene both with interns and the rest of my team.

I'm based just outside Oxford so the living costs weren't cheap, although living in a smaller town has made the rent much more affordable. The cost of living is definitely considered by Siemens.

There's a good amount of pubs around that are always a good laugh, with a short bus ride to Oxford for good nightlife.

Siemens runs a social club that regularly has events, from theatre trips to the cricket at Lords.