Campact Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Review

I loved it. It was a perfect insight into what my life will be like after graduating, as well as a vital learning experience in regards to how real manufacturing plants operate and implement the knowledge learned from a degree. I felt valued and I would be happy if this was my job after graduation.

From the first day I was welcomed and made to feel like part of the team. My opinions were valued and people drew from my skillset to aid in their daily tasks. I feel like I have made good friends that I will retain after leaving. The workplace atmosphere was always pleasant and I got on with everybody.

I had a weekly meeting and regular informal check ins to ensure I was comfortable with the work I was doing. I had multiple outlets to go for technical information if I needed it, including from a group level from other plants internationally. I couldn't fault the support I received during my placement.

My task for the year was entirely project based, my work was what I made of it. When there were gaps in my day or I was waiting for another person to move on with the design project, I would take up other tasks from colleagues that could benefit from my aid. This came in the form of sophisticated spread sheet models most of the time.

From the first day I had a large hand in ensuring the company achieved an ISO certification, which was deadline based. If I failed to do this before the audit, it would have delayed the certification by months. After that I made sophisticated spread sheet models that updated and polished old systems, helping other employees keep organised and improve document and data control within the company. My main role for the year was a design project, which if successful and implemented would solve large environmental issues and reduce the workload of other employees, which included manual labour.

I became quite skilled with Visual Basic for Applications, which helped me in my field to keep detailed and organised management systems to keep projects moving along timely and data presented in a user-friendly manner to maximise efficiency. I learned how to manage a project myself, doing all parts of the project, where in a group project the workload would be divided between six people.

Great. The employees in my office kept a perfect balance between productivity and conversation. I never felt like my productivity was hindered by anything or anyone in the office, nor did I get bored or feel out of place socially in the office. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the area was always kept clean and tidy and everybody got on well.

My placement was integrated for the third year, so I started the placement with a specification as to what I needed from the company to fulfil the criteria of my degree. Everything was set up with what I would be doing that year within the first couple months of employment, and there was no shortage of design work to fulfil my dissertation requirements.

I was given regular training to deepen my understanding of various areas of the plant, as well as training to understand and develop vital skills needed for the industry, like conducting risk assessments, COSHH regulations, functional safety etc. Any trainings that were occurring for other employees that could benefit me, I was sent on also.

I have found that my skills are particularly strong in areas of project management and improvement of documentation & control systems. There is years of work to be done in these areas and space for people to do them. I feel valued enough that if I pushed for it I could potentially be taken back after graduation.

Not really. The plant is in quite a rural area, and most either live in Newcastle amongst their already established student groups or locally in the town, which has no areas for young people.

There was a large Tesco's near the plant, so the cost of food was standard. The area itself is quite affluent, so the cheapest rent I could find was some of the most expensive back at university. For the area itself it gets a 1, however, because a train to Newcastle which is a vibrant student city and also my university was only £4.50 and 40 minutes away, the cost of socialising and living gets a 5 overall.

Non-existent, older demographic and one nightclub that was always empty

Yes, there were regular bulletins posted for sports and social activities, volunteering events, Christmas quizzes etc.