Serial Life PURCHASING Review

I have really enjoyed my time at Faurecia, it has been an incredible experience the work we do is very interesting and I have been able to get involved in lots of projects. As a result of this I have been able to have an impact on both current and new projects within the plant.

I have felt very important to my colleagues as a member of the team, one of the areas of my job roll was to attend 2 weekly meetings and participate in the actions. once I had done this I had to feedback information to my team and likewise feedback any information from my team to the meeting in order to progress with actions.

There are very few people in my department which has meant I have a close relationship with the people I work day to day with this has allowed my to seek guidance and support daily for any problems/issues I have had. They have made it very easy to talk to them and I have never felt like I was lost and couldn't achieve an objective.

On a daily basis I have been kept aptly busy to the point that I have enough day to day tasks to keep me busy. I have been given a couple of projects throughout the year to really focus on in between these tasks and I have found these fitted in very well with my work load.

As the placement student I was concerned about being treated as only a student. However I was given so much independence and responsibility I have not felt like or been treated like a student at all, I have been able to go out and do supplier visits and workshops on my own and have regularly attended management meetings to fill in when my manager is unavailable. I have really felt important to the team during my time

I have learnt a lot of technical skills during my placement particularly with systems such as Excel, SAP, GPS and lotus notes all used daily in my job role. However some are used globally by all automotive companies I feel this will help me a lot in the future to say that I have already had training and know how to use specific systems.

There is a very serious atmosphere for work in my office, however there is always the opportunity to walk around the plant and talk to other people/departments where it can become a more relaxed atmosphere I have found I have spent time with many of my co-workers out of the office where we can be much more casual and less work orientated. While in the workplace we keep it very professional.

My placement roll has been running for around 5 years now and in particular I am the 3rd student from Derby university therefore my manager and university were very used to each other and how things should work. This made it very easy for my roll to be defined and for me to fulfill it with guidance from my manager. Everything was set up perfectly by HR for my arrival and throughout the placement I have not felt like I was not needed or necessary I feel I have fitted in very well.

The company have relied on me the last year to do a host of important tasks, I have regularly been encouraged to take part in all available training sessions held by Faurecia. I have not felt like I was put to the side and left out of anything important as I was only a student. I have been heavily involved in all areas of the business and my knowledge has been ever expanding due to this.

Future prospects for the copy are good for all students there are two main opportunities. The international VIE Scheme or UK Graduate scheme these are both brilliant opportunities however they do not guarantee a job at the end of them (usually 2 years). An actual job role cannot be created for each graduate student so the only opportunity would be luck that one has opened up when you graduate.

There was a brilliant social scene, although many of us live in different places we still managed to meet up and go out on weekend, or even meet up on a weeknight to do other activities. During work although it can be difficult we manage to have lunch or go to the shops together you really get to know other students. Also the HR organized two student events a year where all UK students attend and you usually stay overnight in a Hotel.

The immediate area was quite expensive but if you were to go within a half an hour radius you could find house shares for a much better price Socializing in the area was very cheap as it was a relatively small town with a couple of places to go and visit.

Due it being a very small town the nightlife was not brilliant, but it is what you make of it there are a few pubs and areas which you can enjoy and only really one club in the immediate vicinity however a short trip on the train to Birmingham from the local train station would see you having a much better night!

You really have to make the opportunities yourself the more willing and time you have to do things people will surely do them with you, however there is nothing set up by work to encourage you to do this so you much make of it what you will and possibly force yourself to ask people to do things and to go to places. I have found that a lot of people need an escape from work and enjoy doing things outside of work with you.