Global leadership Development SP Review

I really enjoyed my placement - I was given a lot of responsibility and three different projects to either own or assist with. This meant I was thrown into the deep end at first, but everyone I met was so helpful and eager to take time out of their busy schedules to make sure I was okay and understanding what it was I had been asked to do. My role entailed a range of responsibilities, including analysing and condensing pre-existing workshops, delivering a condensed workshop and getting feedback on it, carrying out needs assessment interviews, transcribing and analysing them, synthesising data and presenting it, organising meetings, and researching potential programmes we could run.

I felt like my colleagues valued my contributions, and even when I had to ask questions I felt were silly or obvious, I was told 'there's no such thing as a stupid question' which made me feel at ease and very comfortable in the team. My work was praised by my colleagues and often used as a foundation for their work. My final project is being taken over by someone else and they are going to continue using the vast amounts of work and data I managed to collate previously. It's a nice feeling to know that the work I did has actually been helpful, and I wasn't just sat around doing things for the sake of them, but for the sake of the team as a whole.

As mentioned previously, I was continuously told, 'there is no such thing as a stupid question' which was really encouraging. I was encouraged to try new things and go with my instincts and this made me feel really empowered. I was given support when I needed it and would touch in with my line manager for half an hour or so every couple of days or every week depending on how my projects were going. She always made time for me if I asked, or else she would point me in the direction of someone else who would be able to help me out.

With the exception of one or two days during the entire placement when I didn't have much to do (due to the nature of a project or waiting to hear back from people), I would describe my days as being jam packed of things which needed doing. From replying to emails, to being in meetings and also managing to work on my own projects, most of my days started at 8:30 and didn't end until at least 5 (or sometimes as late as 6:30) as I had a lot to do. HOWEVER, I would describe this as an extremely positive thing, as it meant the placement absolutely flew by as I was so busy. Despite being busy, every day was unique in its own way so I never got bored.

As I mentioned before, I was really shocked and happy with the amount of responsibility I was given. I felt that my team really trusted me to deliver and I was pushed to try my best and do new things which I may not have been comfortable with before, but really enjoyed and excelled at in some ways. I had three projects, and 2 of these involved interacting with vendors outside of the company, so I was trusted to represent the company at times which I felt was a lot of responsibility at times.

I learnt a lot about business and the way the company is run, which was completely different to my degree course where I study English Literature. Other skills I've taken away from the experience include presentation skills, analytic skills in condensing and synthesising information, training in how to thrive in a work environment, adaptation skills and perseverance. These are all skills I can bring forward to help with my degree and further with my work.

I was fortunate enough to work more or less equally in 3 offices during my placement. It would depend on where my line manager was based that day but I alternated between Kingston, 100VE and Four Acres. The atmosphere in each was vastly different. In 100VE, the atmosphere was almost overwhelming at first, as the building is huge and there are always loads of people rushing about, not to mention the CEOs sitting on the 6th floor. Kingston was a really nice atmosphere - everyone tended to know each other on my floor which meant everyone was friendly and helpful. It was a full building but not too full that it was hard to get a seat (as is the case in 100ve!). Four Acres was very quiet, with only 2 - 4 of us working in the office at a time, but it meant the team were very close and the grounds in Four Acres were absolutely beautiful, so worth the quiet working environment for the peace and tranquillity!

I would say this is the only part of the process I would have to complain about. Although this was likely no ones fault, I didn't find out where I would be placed until very late, which made it very stressful as I wasn't even remotely sure about where in the country I'd be based until a few weeks before I started. This could definitely be improved for future placements as most people need to find housing and in London this is very difficult to do. I ended up staying at home. However this would be my only complaint about the whole process, and as mentioned, I know this is no ones fult specifically. I know other interns felt the same in terms of not knowing what was happening until what seemed like the last minute, by which time many people have exams and can't afford to lose focus by having to travel to look for housing etc.

I was able to go on a thrive workshop which I thought was beneficial. In terms of other face to face training I didn't really experience much as I was part of the team planning the training workshops! I did however, use MyLearning, an online platform full of resources, and also got to learn as I went from the workshops we were planning. Finally, I got to research external trainings, and as part of this I would take part in them myself.

I'd really enjoy working for the company in the future. I feel like as a company, the general opportunities are really impressive, and the way I've been treated during my placement has really inspired me to apply to work here further. The only thing that makes me concerned about the UFLP is the amount of travelling I'd have to do at short notice. But the company have been excellent to work for, with many perks, so I'd really enjoy working here in the future if I was able to.

Yeah definitely. My group of friends from Kingston were really friendly and we all got along really well. I think the fact that you're all driven by similar things and like working hard means that you'll likely be quite similar people and that always helps when making friends. We went out a few times during the placement. As well as this, I went for lunch a lot with my line manager and I'd say we had an excellent working relationship which really helped!

Luckily, I could live at home as my family live in North London. It would have been really expensive for me to move out so I didn't want to do that. Living in London, I've been sued to the expensive prices of going out and socialising, so it didn't effect me much but I know other peole found it a bit of a struggle.

In Kingston the nightlife was really good. We went out to the club literally next to the office which was cheap and cheerful. Another time we went out in Clapham which was also really fun. Being based in London meant that it was easy to get anywhere really so we weren't limited just to Kingston,

Honestly, there were a couple of invitations to events or activities or clubs here or there but I just feel like I didn't really have any time to get involved in them as my commute could be up to 2 hours home and it just meant I was working really long days, so didn't have the energy to do much else.