This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
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The Role
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The Company
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The Culture
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
- 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
- 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
- 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
- 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
- 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
- 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
- 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
- 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
- 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
- 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
- 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
The Role
As retail is a very fast paced and difficult environment at present, this means there is never a dull moment - very busy always! Sometimes this can be frustrating as you can't give your training 100%.
Marks and Spencer colleagues are very supportive whilst on your training, made to feel welcome in both stores that i trained in. Made some great friends.
Managers in stores are very busy people, however i was alweays given support and guidance throughout my placement - more so i knew i could always ask for help.
Very! This means you learn fast and get to gain some experience in all areas quite quickly.
M&S do portray to other colleagues as a 'mamager' as soon as you join therefore you are given quite a lot of responsibility quite quickly. This can feel uncomfortable - but it also stretches you out of your comfor zone!
Most of the skills you learn are transferrable to many jobs, you can develop many 'people skills' and 'life skills' as these are required day to day. The courses are also fab and many of these skills learnt can also be used later on in life.
The Company
The atmosphere can differ in the different store you work in. But generally it was upbeat and motivated!
The scheme is organised and set up well, i know they are constantly trying to improve it - and the order in which you learn things first is currently being reviewed.
The company invests quite a lot, there are lots of initial courses to go on and these continue right through the year.
Subsidised Canteen
Staff Sales/Staff Shop
Healthcare from home
I have been invited back onto their graduate scheme when i finish university, this will be a 'short' version on the grad scheme as i ahve already done most of my training in my placement year.
The Culture
This was encouraged, however quite a lot of us lived far away from each other - i thinkit depends where you live. You do make lots of friends from the courses etc.
This wasn't too bad.
I was in Harrogate and Teesside - so not great! However you can be placed anywhere.
Maybe this is where M&S could improve.
Details
Placement (10 Months+)
East of England
October 2008