IT Executive Intern Review

I really enjoyed working for Pernod Ricard UK. Instantly I felt part of the team and treated as a proper employee, as opposed to an intern. Pernod Ricard UK is a part of a really interesting industry, and there were loads of opportunities to learn more about the company and experience new things outside of the job.

I was always thanked or praised for any work I did for a specific colleague, whether this be within my department or out. Some would approach me for specific advice or help in certain areas, which made me feel valued. Team lunches and team events helped encourage a great working relationship between everyone.

I had training sessions set up for me right from the beginning of my placement, to gauge my skills and develop areas that required it. These continues across several months and covered a number of different topics, and really helped. If I required guidance or support with any work or tasks, it was always available.

Typically, I would have projects running the background, as well as smaller daily or one off tasks to manage. This meant that I always had work on, and never really felt that I wasn’t busy. At the end of one project, I was allocated another of slightly greater complexity, that really allowed me to put any news skills into practise.

I was given quite a lot of responsibility to start with, and this increased as time went by. This developed from ensuring daily checks and tasks were completed properly, to taking complete responsibility for new and existing systems and processes. I was able to make a lot of my own decisions, yet still ask for the opinions of others who may have been able to offer better ideas or solutions.

The skills I developed and the training I received will assist me hugely in work after my degree, which I think is very valuable. That said, specific areas such as databases and programming I had limited skills in are now improved, and will help me a lot in my final year of university.

The atmosphere around the office was very relaxed and very friendly. The office was completely open-plan, and we’d sit at any desk within our department area. The office was very pleasant and modern, which really helps to keep motivation up during a working day. Typically, everyone got on very well, which contributed to a great atmosphere.

The organisation of my internship was excellent. My department had a complete induction schedule setup for me, including introductory sessions with many of my new colleagues to discuss their role and their own system. This really helped throughout my understanding of our department and our systems as a whole, and gave me a head start when I started to be assigned projects.

Many hours were spent in single and joint training sessions with other members of my department. The company also put on a Company Induction day as well as numerous other company training sessions, introducing me to the wider company as a whole and the kind of presence they have in the industry.

The idea of returning to Pernod Ricard UK after my degree has finished is very appealing. I feel like I’d be able to fit right back into the team, and pickup from where I left. Everyone was very friendly and there isn’t anyone I wouldn’t be happy to work with again.

There was a good social scene amongst other placement students and colleagues. I would regularly socialise after work with my colleagues, and I attended many evening team events including dinner and drinks. The company also put on away days and other company events which were great for meeting other people in the company and trying new things.

I chose to live at home and commute to work. In a straight line, the distance was about 50 miles. This took me just over an hour and a half each way to complete by train, at a cost of approx. £430 a month for a season ticket. Socialising in the area was a little expensive, as the company is on a particularly nice business park. Expect London prices.

I think nightlife in the area consisted mainly of restaurants and pubs. There wasn’t too much in the line of clubbing or bars in the local area. However, Pernod Ricard UK is very accessible via public transport, and it was very easy to get around London. Without too much hassle, you could head out into central London.

There were a fair number of opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work. The business park regularly put on sporting events and you could join a team. The company also put on running clubs at lunchtime, and regularly promoted events that they were running or associated with to the whole company.