Systems Summer Intern Review

I really enjoyed my placement. The work was rewarding, engaging and the atmosphere was really friendly. Everyone around me were very supportive and the other interns were great, making my 12 weeks there fly by.

I felt pretty valued. I was told at multiple stages throughout my internship how my work was important and I know the documents I was working on were approved and will be used by future BAE personnel. Everyone treated me like a colleague and not just an intern.

I was given as much as I required. I consider myself fairly independent but everyone was willing to answer any questions when I did have them, offer any support or point me in the right direction of someone who could help.

I went through stages of being fairly busy and then having a few slow days in between tasks and objectives. It happens.

I was given a reasonable amount of responsibility. I had full ownership of the work I was doing although obviously none of these tasks were too serious in the grand scheme of things.

It helped me to improve current skills I already had, as well as learn a few new transferable skills that I will be able to use going forward. I think the best asset gained is that it has kept me in a working mindset over the summer so I can go back to university driven to achieve.

Relaxed and friendly. It's an open plan office and everyone got along pretty well. The people were approachable and willing to help if you need it. They even had thirsty thursdays where the guys in the department all went for lunch together off site which was nice.

It had a set structure that it followed with set objectives, a mid-term review and a final review. There was even an interns conference towards the end of the placement although that could have done to be given more of an advanced warning for.

The company took time to go through different training courses, such as LFPD and HV awareness, as required by the work I was doing. They also provided me with all the relevant PPE needed.

At the end of the placement I was offered a job for next year after I graduate.

There was an initial grad BBQ at the beginning of the placement to get to meet the grads, industrial placements and interns in a more relaxed atmosphere. The interns made the effort to get to know and hang out with each other at other times outside of work but there wasn't really any other sort of social event to interact with each other organised by the company.

I commuted from home about 45 minute drive away so don't know about rent. Socialising in the area didn't particularly break the bank but it wasn't as cheap as if you were to go out up north.

There wasn't too many place to go out. There was one fairly limited club which we never ended up actually going to.

Yes, there were a few sports activities that everyone was invited to participate in like badminton, football and basketball. There was also activities like pub quizzes and bingo if you're interested.