Marketing Assistant Review

I have absolutely loved my time at Groupe SEB, All of my colleagues immediately made me feel at home as soon as I arrived.

The jobs that I was doing over the year were of far greater importance to the company than the jobs that my friends at other internships were doing. Even as an intern you are taken seriously as a member of the team, your opinion is valued and you feel free to share any new ideas you have.

I had weekly catch-ups with my manager and I felt free to ask him any questions I had about the work he had given me. When I started I also had induction meetings with everyone I would be working with over the year, so I knew exactly who I should go and speak to about different aspects of the work.

Having weekly catch ups with my manager meant that I constantly had a healthy workload, and if I had too much or too little I would just go and talk to my manager about it.

I definitely had far more responsibility than all of my friends in other placements. Because there is only a couple of interns, you aren't just sitting in a room doing repetitive tasks like in other internships. I led a meeting with a major retailer, explored new product opportunities worth thousands of pounds to the business and was allowed to run a few product photo shoots on my own.

I have 100% learnt more this year that I did in both my first years of uni! Seeing the inner workings of the marketing team makes it way easier to put theory into practice. Because of the company's open door policy, I could ask anyone any questions I had about the business. When I arrived, I received training on Excel, GFK (a market research programme) and Brandview (A price tracking software widely used by companies). You also get to do such a wide variety of tasks that you pick up skills in loads of different aspects of marketing.

The office has a really friendly atmosphere. GroupeSEB has an open door policy, so you don't feel bad asking anyone any questions. There is also a nice social scene outside work so you quickly get to know everyone in all the departments from the MD to the other interns.

When I arrived I had a really clearly laid out induction plan, including meetings with people in each different part of the business. They have been taking interns for years, so they know exactly how to make you settle in quickly and you really feel like you're making a difference right from the start. I had a chat with the HR manager as soon as I started so I knew exactly who to go to if I had any questions or anything I was worried about.

When I arrived I was sent on an external Microsoft Excel course, this meant that not only was I more comfortable with the work right from the start, but I can put the qualification on my CV. I was also sent on a coffee training course so I knew the Krups products inside out. I felt like as time went on I was being given more and more responsibility, so the on-the-job really helped me to progress within the role quickly. I had a two week handover with the previous intern when I arrived so I felt comfortable with the role really fast.

There is a number of people working there who used to be interns. There is a few really interesting roles within the marketing department which I am definitely going to have a look at when I finish uni next year.

Groupe SEB treats employees really well from a social point of view. The summer and christmas parties were definitely a highlight for me. Social events are so good for team bonding, and whenever someone new joins the team goes out for lunch to welcome them. When someone leaves as well the company pay for a few drinks for all of the staff. You don't get that kind of treatment at all companies!

The company is based in Windsor, and I lived in Windsor during the year. Renting a room in Windsor isn't too bad, I paid £550 a month for my good sized double room in a shared house. Living cost (food, drink etc..) is a bit pricey though. But you can always do your weekly shop in Slough, which is a 5 minute train away and is very reasonably priced.

There is a few good clubs in Windsor, but mostly it's bars. It is a really nice place for a night out. Also, London is only about 30 mins away if you fancy a bigger night...