Mechanical engineer Review

The tasks were varied so to keep me interested in the work I was doing.

Although it is kept in mind that you are not fully qualified yet and therefore need more guidance and assistance you are treated like a regular employee.

The tasks given to me were to be self managed which was good for giving me responsibility. However, progress was regularly checked and if help was required, it was given .

There can be days where there is little work to do depending on your team but there is always work available and most managers are willing to give out work when requested.

Engineering tasks were given for me to take charge of but there were also none engineering tasks that were trusted to myself and other placement students which varied the work.

Training was regularly given when needed and through working in an engineering environment I am more professionally aware and my knowledge has developed.

In my first office it was small and therefore sometimes quiet but everyone was friendly and knew each other. Another office had around 200 people of different teams, it can be noisy and therefore difficult to concentrate but again people were always friendly. People were easy to talk to and not everything needed to be work orientated.

Not as well organised as the graduate scheme but still fairly organised. For example I was told my placement was to be separated into two different teams but the second placement was organised last minute and required input by myself. The application process was also a little bit lengthy and for some people there were hiccups along the way and people didn't know they had a firm offer until very close to the start date

If I could justify reasoning for training then it would be provided. Cost of travel, accommodation and food are all provided.

In maritime services there is an assessment phase which involves delivering a presentation to a panel to decide if they want to ask you to come back onto the graduate scheme. They can ask for you to return or send you to an assessment centre. So there is an opportunity to return.

The placement students are encouraged to socialise with each other and get to know each other. We all got to meet each other within work a few times and therefore maintained friendships outside of work. Before the placement begins a facebook page is set up for all the new summer and year placement students so we can get to know each other.

Reasonable

There is a reasonable nightlife in the area, Albert road is known for having a number of pubs as well as food places. There are also a few clubs nearby and more pubs near the guildhall. Portsmouth has a university and there is nightlife catered to them.

There aren't many outside of work activities organised by work but there are facilities in the area for the placement students to organise something amongst themselves. This includes social and sporting activities. There is also a beach nearby and museums.