Spring Week Intern (HR) Review

I very much enjoyed the insight week at Unilever and the programme was extremely beneficial in terms of personal and professional development. I was able to get a much better understanding of how a global business operates and the functions that make up the business. Furthermore, the insight is a really great networking opportunity- I meet lots of very interesting people, who gave me constructive advice on how to kick start my career!

Although only at Unilever for a short period of time, I felt well valued. The HR team, who organised the programme, were very welcoming and made everyone feel at immediately comfortable. They answered all of my questions quickly and helped me deal with any queries before and on the programme. During group activities, everyone was encouraged to participate and all of our opinions were valued. All employees were friendly and willing to answer all our many questions.

I always felt well supported whilst at Unilever. We had a representative from the HR team with us all the time so we always knew whom to turn to if we had questions. Several of the sessions focused on guiding us through the application stages for applying for the summer and industrial placement programmes, which was very useful.

The Spring Insight Week was a really beneficial programme and I believe that I have developed skills for life. We were provided with a multitude of information on how best to be successful in our working careers, and I developed key skills such as communication and networking. The application sessions helped me to understand what potential employers look for. Going forward, I will be far more confident when applying for future opportunities.

This insight week was well structured and I found the organisation to be second to none. From the hotel that we were staying in, to the activities that had been planned for us over the course of the week, it was very clear to see how much detailed planning had gone into organising the event.

There was an amazing general atmosphere! All Unilever employees were some of the most friendly and welcoming people I had ever met and I was immediately made to feel comfortable. There is a relaxed atmosphere in the offices and no one wears suits so there is not an overly corporate feel. I also got on with the other interns really well.

Overall, I felt very well invested in by Unilever. I had the opportunity to have networking sessions with senior managers in my chosen function, and this was a great opportunity to ask questions and develop my confidence. All the sessions were designed for our personal development and I have acquired many transferrable skills.

The insight was very beneficial for understanding what it would be like to work for Unilever. We had an extensive tour of the office and facilities, and several of the sessions were designed for us to get to know the day-to-day life of employees. Furthermore, the sessions with the graduates and summer interns allowed us to ask questions and get a better understanding.

The Spring Programme was a great insight into the company culture at Unilever. Unilever is extremely proud of its company values and ethos and it was great to understand more about how they place these values at the heart of business operations. Everyone was extremely dedicated to their roles and achieving central goals, and it was clear to see how much these company values mean to everyone at the company. The company culture came across brilliantly!

Content was really valuable and tailored to our needs as university students.

I was reimbursed my travel costs. The company covered all accommodation and food expenses during the programme.

The networking opportunities were undoubtedly on of the highlights of the Spring Programme. We networked with employees right across the business, from placement year students to directors and vice presidents. It was a great opportunity to ask questions and get advice on how to best succeed in a future career. There were also many socialising opportunities with the other interns in the evening, which was really enjoyable as we all got on really well as a group!

Really great!

So many opportunities outside of work to get involved in! I was really impressed by this and I like the emphasis that Unilever places on achieving a healthy work-life balance. There were hundreds of fitness classes to attend at the on-site gym, as well as sport teams and running clubs. Additionally, there are lots of opportunities to get involved in charity events, in line with the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan.

I would absolutely recommend this insight to a friend! It is not only a really fun week, but also a great development opportunity and chance to network with some pretty impressive people!