This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
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The Role
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The Company
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The Culture
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
- 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
- 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
- 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
- 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
- 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
- 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
- 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
- 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
- 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
- 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
- 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
The Role
I enjoyed it greatly. Dstl works in a way that the more you work there, the more interesting the tasking becomes and the more doors open up for you. It is unique to any other place of work. I had already worked here a year, and I feel after coming back for a summer I have learnt so much more despite it being in the same place.
The new starters network is extensive at Dstl and always doing something. You are never short of people to meet and I have been warmly welcomed by the people I was working with and have formed friendships that will hopefully last after this placement.
Manager has always put welfare in front of work in a professional way. If you needed technical support to learn skills, then you were pointed in the right direction. I just have never felt I have an isolated problem, as the manager does well in sharing it with you and carrying you through it.
There is always something to do here, so you never are bored. Things can get a little intense work wise sometimes but I don't consider it stressful, just a challenge to show what you are capable of and there are always people to share the work with.
On some projects I was supporting, so I got to see some interesting science/engineering, but with others I was left to almost run it all and organise. You definitely feel you are contributing towards something and you become the go to person if anyone wants information on your project.
I would say that the work here can help towards your degree, but more so what you have worked with that can help in the future. You can get involved with so much that there is no end to the skills you could learn here for the future.
The Company
The atmosphere was how you made it to be. Normally busy with people in and out to chat to if you feel like work is getting monotonous or quiet when you want to get down and work on something. People are respectful to the way you want the atmosphere to be.
My placement was seamless as everything was done in good time. Because of that, I had no issues and the correct procedures happened when they should have.
If you need training, then your manager or colleague will see that and will organise it for you. But as long as there is a case, they are willing to invest in what it takes to be able to complete the project to a high standard.
Flexi Time
Sports and Social Club
Subsidised/Company Gym
Company Parties/Events
Staff Sales/Staff Shop
Working from home
Healthcare/Dental
Definitely. I will always want to work here again because of how interesting the work is.
The Culture
Yes, they have a new starter program in which everyone who is new to Dstl can go to and meet students/colleagues from other parts of the company. Also everyone is generally friendly!
It is near London for me, but it is on the outskirts. So relative to London cheap! but generally is average prices for the area.
Nightlife can be found as it is near London, and there are loads of great pubs/bars to go and visit so you can make do!
There are activities outside of working to go and do something like football or gym, whatever you fancy. But there is scope to always set up your own here as people are aware how important it is.
Details
Internship (1 Month+)
South East
August 2016