Food Product Development Intern Review

by Marks & Spencer

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

3.5/5
  • The Role
    4.1
  • The Company
    3.4
  • The Culture
    2.9

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
  • Vary varied programmes, with lots of opportunity and challenges. Was given a really in depth insight to the day to day operations of various parts of the company, through visits to suppliers, shadowing developers and attending photoshoots. Continual flow of work meant I was never bored - no two days were the same!

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
  • Was invited to all meetings and engagements that my line manager was attending. My opinions were always asked for, with feedback given. Line manager would periodically comment on my performance, to keep me motivated. Although an intern, I was spoken to and treated like any other member of the team, and felt comfortable approaching any member of staff

    5/5

  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
  • Tasks were explained and sometimes I was left to complete them independently, however I was always reassured by my line manager to ask for help if it was required. Some jobs required me to use my own initiative when there was nobody to ask for advice, but that helped me to improve and become more confident in my descision making skills

    4/5

  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
  • Days varied in pace. Some were dedicated purely to a supplier visit, meaning days were non stop, but had a planned itinerary. Other days I was purely based in the office, meaning I was running between meetings and juggling my own work. Some days were a little quiet, but the majority of the time I had been given work to occupy my time

    4/5

  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
  • Early on, I was mainly shadowing and observing; responsibility slowly increased towards the middle and end of my internship, as the team gave me more trust. I was asked to write and take photographs for documents which were sent to all stores explaining attributes, preparation and background information of our products - for the benefit of the staff in store. In my penultimate week, I was allowed to complete independent work on behalf of more senior members of staff

    4/5

  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • This placement being heavily development focused has given me a strong insight into NPD as a whole, which is the sector of the Food Industry I am most interested in and aspire to work in. This placement has helped put everything I learned in my first year into context, and fully prepared me for some relevant upcoming second year modules too

    4/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
  • Open plan, and did not feel crowded. Was always friendly conversation in between work discussions, everyone in the team seemed to get on well. Meetings were sometimes held at tables at the back of the office, giving a greater sense of community and a less formal feel to a formal situation. Samples were often sent up from the development kitchens, so everyone always perked up and the prospect of free cake!

    3/5

  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
  • Information provided before my start date was sufficient - was told where to go and who to meet on my first day. Was given my own laptop, so had access to an outlook calendar where all of my meetings and engagements were listed for me to view for the full 8 weeks. Many things did get added as the internship progressed, and I didn't always know exactly what I was doing (sometimes not until the day before!) Was given a comprehensive induction at the beginning of the placement, and an overview of the projects I was expected to complete was given to me on my second day

    4/5

  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • In addition to my induction, I completed two courses - one in product management, and another in leadership - as part of the interns personal development programmes. I was asked by my line manager if there was any supply bases I wanted to visit, any team member I wanted to shadow or work with other departements, so that I felt I had a relevant and fullfilling experience while on placement. My line manager overviewed my second year course content, to see if she could help set up any relevant attachments also

    4/5

  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
  • Subsidised Canteen

    National Travel

    Company Parties/Events

    Staff Sales/Staff Shop

    Working from home

    3/5

  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
  • Senior members of the company are in the process of setting up direct links with my university and meetings with HR were had to discuss future employability - overall very positive outlook, and will be maintaining contact with the company throughout the rest of my degree, with the view to secure a full time permanant position on a graduate scheme

    4/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
  • A Whatsapp group was set up after the induction to help all the interns and year placement students maintain contact during our time at work. On a few Friday nights, we had drinks after work

    3/5

  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
  • Central London - On one hand, quite pricey, but very vibrant and versatile!

    3/5

  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
  • Again, due to its central London location, there was plenty of places to go!

    4/5

  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
  • Charity events to raise money were held regularly, but I did not get to partake any personally

    3/5

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Details

Internship (1 Month+)

London

August 2016


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