Supply Chain and Logistics Intern Review

My year was varied which I felt gave me a really great insight. I started off working in Stockton-On-Tees and stayed at that facility for 5 months until Christmas and enjoyed living away from the Midlands because it showed me to what extent I may enjoy working away from home in the future. The next seven months I have spent in Leicester. My team are closer to my age here and I have a better social experience. whilst the work isn't quite as easy to complete here due to it being a bigger facility, it gives me a good understanding of how you create change in a large facility.

I felt very valued by my colleagues and I appreciate all the help and exposure they give me to different situations at work. At both facilities I've worked at people are very helpful and if they need help, they will ask you questions and genuinely appreciate the responses you give them. I was given several projects to be involved in to different capacities, even leading one project, showing how much you are valued by your peers.

I had two managers who both differed, however both were very supportive to me. I think it's as important that you're flexible in how you work and what you do, and they will afford you flexibility in times you are struggling, which both did. I had similar interests to both my direct managers which meant I was able to have both a professional and friendly environment with them.

Days varied dependant on which project I was working on. Sometimes I wouldn't have huge amounts which made time go slower, however some days I would work from the second I got in up until I left. Days that were busy always went quickly and made me feel like I had achieved more and learned more. Stepping out of my comfort zone is something I was happy to do.

I was given differing levels of responsibility. Leading a project and giving other people direction on what we wanted to achieve was good because it showed me how much co-ordination has to go in to certain aspects of creating change and improving the way work is done. Other times I was part of a project team, however this was just as rewarding because it gave you exposure to people in higher positions and allowed me to learn more.

The skills I've learned will be extremely helpful in my degree. developing time management skills, a strict work ethic and learning how to create rapport and work relationships with people will perhaps be more beneficial than the theory that I've learned, however it has made me realise just how relevant my degree is and I think this will make me focus more on learning, because I know how helpful it can be.

There was a bit of a strange atmosphere at certain points because it was a time of uncertainty regarding peoples jobs, due to cut backs. On a personal level everyone I came in to contact with was really friendly and helpful. I think it was unfortunate in a sense that people perhaps had higher priorities such as worrying about their careers than building a nice environment in relation to work, however I understand people's concerns and I think if I was in their situation I would be the same.

The placement didn't necessarily follow the path I thought it would, as I ended up in Leicester which I didn't foresee. I did like the unpredictability of working sometimes however because it taught me to be flexible and willing to help others and step in to different situations, which I think will prepare me for working full time better than if I had a monotonous routine that didn't vary.

I wasn't given as much training in some situations as I may have been, which sometimes meant that I would sit in meetings not really being able to follow what people were saying and not being able to contribute, even when probed. I did learn quite a lot in the end from just picking up things on my own, which I think can be just as valuable as a training and mean that you remember things better as you actually learn them.

I'm not sure on this. I haven't been spoke to with regards to my future employment at Caterpillar, however it is promising to see other graduates returning to the company that have been placement students in the past. I will continue to explore my options outside of caterpillar however if an opportunity did become available it's something I would definitely be interested in.

The placement students and graduates had a good social scene with different events from time to time and a weekly meeting which focused on career development. This social scene was much better in Leicester as there were more graduates and placement students, therefore more scope to socialise. The team I worked in were also very friendly and I spoke to them outside of work which was good to make friendships.

In Stockton the cost of living was actually less than living at university. When I was in Leicester the cost of living was even less as I moved back in with my parents. Earning money meant that I have never had an easier year to budget for and meant that I was able to socialise more flexibly and go to nicer places and perhaps do things that I haven't been able to in the past due to not having an income of any substance.

I didn't tend to go out in either place that I worked, however both had reasonable night life to my understanding, however I think anything would be difficult to compare to university.

There was a subsidised gym that did classes outside of work hours which me and my team were often invited to. There were also sports and social events that happened throughout my time that people could attend and socialise with people from work. I spoke to the people from work outside of work hours and believe I will continue to do so beyond my time here.