12 Month Electrical Placement Review

This was a fantastic experience for me, specially being an international student studying in the UK, I have always had an ambition to work for a world class engineering company. All stages from interview to starting actual work was very straight forward and realistic and helped to achieve a vast amount of knowledge and transferable skills that will with no doubt will benefit me in my future career. I have gained a significant amount of confidence in undertaking responsibility and challenges through this placement

I'd say that I had the best working environment and experience during this placement mainly due to the tremendous support and guidance I gained from my line manager, senior / junior engineers and all company staff. They have treated us with great respect and integrity regardless of our level of qualification and have always wanted us to climb up the ladder to achieve a better target. We've been getting along like one family at work by socialising and enjoying work despite the rising stress levels.

I've had the best line manager of my life, and have been watched every single day during my placement which is certainly a bonus for me. I was given a significant amount of guidance on how to develop my academic profile up-to a recognised level of engineering standard and was provided with an adequate placement plan with detailed aims and objective to be followed during the year. One-to-one meeting meetings were highly regarded as important and at least one meeting per month was scheduled between myself and my manager. He was fantastic in providing me honest feedback at all times and guided me during difficult situations at work. It is crucial that other placement students build up a good relationship with their line managers too.

I certainly had plenty of tasks to achieve during this placement and there's no doubt it kept me busy at all times. During the initial objectives period and working on my first project, I ran out of regular working times to complete tasks in order to meet deadlines, and therefore committed myself into extra weekend work to move fast and complete the project to start testing and troubleshooting later on. Regular training sessions, and assistance provided to other engineers during the last few months have made me feel better in terms of how much useful work I've been able to do during this placement

Firstly, I was truly amazed and excited to have received an entire project for me to complete with a majority of responsibility and leadership. I was given a true monetary budget and the opportunity of implement design improvements to make my project function better. I was also appointed to guide external contractors on a regular basis and manage the procurement aspects of the project too. Finally, I was even able to get involved in fantastic presentations to plant managers and present my progress and project work which truly impressed them.

I have been able to apply a vast amount of theoretical knowledge learnt during the first two years of my university studies into majority of the placement tasks. I've been able to further develop my existing academic skills such as report writing, and presentations up to a professional level and stand up in front of a professional audience and deliver presentation with confidence in answering advanced technical question later on. I honestly feel like everything I learn at University now is highly important and may become beneficial in some way or the other during industrial application.

I feel like I got the best office atmosphere of the whole company, all engineers were very friendly, easy going and supportive. The environment was very motivating to be in because there was always something to cheer and laugh about. The jokes we made were hilarious and the errors we made were always made fun of and picked on at numerous occasions in a friendly and humerus nature. We'd always have someone who'd bring amazing food for all office staff at least once per week and usually a Friday afternoon creates the best environment since everyone is looking forward for the weekend.

It was well structured and well balanced, ensuring that placement students received a variety of experiences, skills and knowledge that could benefit both themselves and the company. The importance of networking and team working was also identified and overcome buy regular socialising and team building events organised by British Steel HR department.

This company tried very well and did a fantastic job in ensuring that each individual was treated in the best possible way which could further develop their future employ ability and brighten up their CV's. In addition to the skills development and projects allocation, the company also took significant interest in building up a personal appraisal and was signed off at the end of the placement by several engineers. External activities in building up personal branding and volunteering opportunities was also included into the scheme.,

The company was recently bought over by a private capital firm, although it has a heritage of 150 years, it is gradually progressing its way forward in becoming better in all aspects. Mainly, their intention to hire younger and enthusiastic individuals and their visits to placement fairs in universities across the UK is a factor which is to be much appreciated

Yes we had our own Facebook page and group, this helped us keep in touch despite our busy lives. This was also a good tool to use during Friday night hang outs and regular socialising events

I'd say it depends on how well you manage your budget. There are a variety of different grocery shops, shopping malls and supermarkets in Scunthorpe that can be priced at different ranges for good quality products can still be found for a cheaper value

Descent

Yes, if you managed your time well and got along well with work and personal life, yu have plenty of time to do something of your external interest (hobbies) all week long.