Press Office Assistant Review

I absolutely loved it.

I felt like a valued member of staff rather than an intern. I had proper responsibilities which made a real difference to the company and the team I worked with. I also developed great relationships with people in other parts of the business, including executives, as the people are friendly and make a real effort to get to know a new colleague.

There is a great support network in the Press Team. No question is a stupid question and they are willing to help you with anything you may be struggling with.

My role was in the Press Office and the nature of the job means your business levels were not consistent. There would be days where it would be slower and with more admin based tasks, but there would also be days where you have so much to do, the day whizzes by and then you probably have an awards evening or fancy meal with work to attend that evening!

Lots. It was scary at first but makes the placement feel so worthwhile and it amazing for the skills you learn.

I believe this is the most valuable year I have ever done. I have so many contacts if I choose this career path, and even if I don't go into this line of work, the skills I have gained are impressive and transferable.

It is a fairly quiet office which is split into departments. Average age was about 35-40 and most people commute by car so there wasn't much social events with work. But the christmas party and summer event are epic and everyone is so friendly. The free lunch means everyone goes to the canteen at lunchtimes and socialises, rather than sitting at their desk. This made it very easy to get to know other people you wouldn't otherwise interact with.

It isn't as structured as some placements I have heard about. They more throw you in the deep end and you learn on the job. However, I think this worked out the best for the nature of the work.

The skills I learnt whilst doing this job were great. My colleagues in the Press Office also made the effort to enrol me on industry-wide training events. They also allowed me to explore different types of work experience within my paid time with them. I had a week at a PR agency, a week at a motoring publication and a few days at a translation service for the motoring industry. The HR department also run regular workshops for things such as public speaking, IT skills and time management.

They don't run official graduate schemes, however they seem to employ a lot of recent graduates and young people. I also feel they would be willing to help you get employed in the motor industry as a whole, if not specifically Kia.

I didn't tend to work with any of the other placement students. However, when I saw them at lunchtimes or at company social events they were always lovely. You tend to socialise within your department.

Rentwise, it was London prices. There are lots of rental properties and shared living opportunities with other young professionals in the area.

It was Surrey so not the most thriving place in the world. I tended to socialise with housemates I met on SpareRoom in pubs and bars. However if we wanted to go 'out,out' we went out in places like Kingston, Guildford or Woking and on two occasions, central London.

Not really as a lot of people tend to commute distances to the office, and they have families.