Network Support Assistant Review

Overall I have loved my time at Boots. The company fully understands what you are there for (to gain industry experience) and in most cases everybody that you come across will gladly spare some time to speak with you or support you in any way required. Boots has offered me the chance to have 13 months in full time employment but more importantly given me the chance to explore other areas outside of my day job to see what other functions I may want to explore further.

From my very first day I was made to feel part of the team. Everybody I have encountered across the business would gladly spare some time to talk with me, even though I am just a placement student. It wasn’t long before colleagues were coming to me for specific information they needed making me feel as if I had been part of the company for years.

We (Supply Chain Students) were given a project to complete half way through the programme. To help us we were given a project mentor for day to day questions and suggestions on how to get the most out of the project. The senior leadership team, who set the project, were always happy to help when needed and could also be relied upon for any contacts that would be beneficial to us.

As is with the nature of business some days will be fast paced with multiple deadlines looming at once and others slow where you can take the time with some project work. It gives a real sense of what a full time job in the world of business would consist of and allowed me practice skills involving prioritising workloads.

From the first day I was given the same level of responsibility of that of my team. I was expected to audit from the first week (after being run through the process) and was fully trusted to manage my workload so that all monthly/weekly department targets were met. My role is fairly self-managed and I was expected to manage my own time so that I completed the expected workload and additional projects set from being a placement student.

I personally made full use of the facilities and courses open to Boots’ employees. I partook on a project management course that gave me specific skills and ways of learning which I utilised in later projects. The talent scheme also provided me with handfuls of techniques that I could use in different situations from mindfulness to a 3 minute elevator pitch. The skills I have learnt can be transferred across any discipline from university study to future employment.

Second to none. I was in a separate office to the main head office building on site but that only made the team closer. Everybody you see is friendly and inviting. They relish the chance to answer your questions whatever they may be. In the main office there is always event/stalls taking place in the pavilion which creates an engaging place to work as suppliers are always not too far.

Overall the placement organisation was of a high standard. As a cohort we were informed from the very beginning when our specific development days would be so that we could plan our daily duties around them. I knew exactly what workshop or topic would be covered in advance of the day so that I could make any preparations I needed to ahead of time.

You can see the level of investment the firm places on each talent programme student from the first day. The year’s calendar is set out right from the start and encompasses all the workshops and away days, with overnight stays, that they have planned. They emphasis a great deal on getting out of the office for the development days as it takes away the pressure and allows us to be ourselves so that the new skills we development can be brought back into the office for a fresh take.

I have spent much time with different graduates across the business and how the programme has supported them. They are given the same, if not more, support for development both on a personal level and business level. For future employment I am reassured that if I did come back to work for Boots’ they will always give employees access to whatever help they required.