B2B Sales and Marketing Assistant Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Panasonic. Working in the Visual department was busy but rewarding, travelling to events across the country and seeing them being a success was very rewarding. I loved working with my team and I could have asked for a better placement year.

I had a great relationship with my colleagues and they really made me feel like a valued member of the team. I felt included in a wide variety of projects and allowed me to get involved in order to develop my knowledge and learn about different aspects of the business.

The support and guidance I received by my managers was fantastic. During the first few months they eased me into the role and really helped me to find my feet. After I started to feel confident the support didn't stop; they encouraged me to develop my skills and were always there if I needed help with anything. I couldn't have asked for better managers!

During my role at Panasonic I was always busy, as it's a very active roll. Between doing the daily tasks to organising events, it's always busy but it's definitely worth it. I threw myself into everything I possibly could and it was an amazing experience. Like every job some days were busier than others, and events are spaced out through periods in the year, so you can balance your work load preparing in advance.

My role at Panasonic was filled with different levels of responsibility. On a daily basis, I ensured the daily sales reports were completed and sent, as well as managing the demonstration stock in 3 different locations in the UK and Germany. I also helped set up a sponsorship deal with a British Superbike team. In February Panasonic Visual have the largest event of the year in Amsterdam, for this I wrote all of the Social Media posts for the European Channels that I also managed on a daily basis.

The skills and training I received at Panasonic will be vital for my 4th year and future employment after I graduate. I received training in both Marketo and Sales Force programmes which many companies use. The skills I gained will be used daily, my placement has developed my organisational skills and the ability to work individually. These skills I will carry with me for life and help to gain future employment.

The general atmosphere was great at Panasonic, everyone was very friendly and happy to help you if needed. The office had a warm feel to it, and you felt as if you could approach anyone.

The placement was set up really well, the HR department were very good to me when I was joining as I had been very ill before my interview, which they organised to be conducted by Skype. They were extremely accommodating and supportive during a particularly tricky time. Everything was very straight forward regarding contracts and they helped arrange for me to come to visit the office once I had recovered.

Panasonic invested in each of the students personally, insuring we all had the correct training relevant for our jobs. I was trained in Marketo and Salesforce which I will able to take with me into future jobs. I was also provided with protective clothing and footwear suitable for the warehouse environment. I felt that Panasonic invested in me and developed my skills for the future, whether that will be returning to Panasonic or getting a job at another company.

Panasonic don't offer Graduate Schemes, therefore there's no scheme I could apply to when I left. I still keep in contact with colleagues I formed good relationships with. If a job is advertised after my fourth year I would definitely apply, it depends if there is a job in a years time!

Panasonic offer around 14 industrial placements across various departments, alongside 4 or 5 apprenticeships. The social scene between our year was very good, the students all lived together and there were regular opportunities to meet up, whether it was for someone's birthday or just for lunch.

The students decided to live in Reading this year. The living expenses were relatively low, however the house we chose could have been nicer. Reading's a student town so as long as you go out on student nights it's the same as where you go to university normally.

The nightlife in Bracknell wasn't very good, but we lived in Reading so it wasn't an issue. Also London, Ascot and Windsor were nearby so it was never an issue!

Personally, in my job if my team were at events or if we were in Germany for marketing or sales meetings we would usually go out for dinner together. There were also volunteering opportunities available as well. I also attended rounds at the British Superbikes Championship, bringing customers with their sales managers to enjoy a day out and meet the riders of the team we sponsored.