Social Media Assistant Review

I really enjoyed my placement with Waitrose. I learnt a lot about my chosen industry, which will help me with my final year of university. I also had a lovely team which made my year!

I felt really valued by the colleagues in the department. I've never really felt like 'the placement student' and I was trusted to share my opinions. At first I was surprised if people asked for my opinion but I gained more confidence throughout the year to share my thoughts.

I was given lots of support through my time with Waitrose. My manager and I had weekly 121 catch ups where I could voice any concerns / share my work load of the week. I felt like I could ask for help whenever I needed it and no question was ever a silly one!

My work load varied, at the start of my placement I had less to do but this built up over time as my team didn't want to overload me with work. I feel like this is similar for most placement students. I always had a full to do list and if I ever felt like I needed more or less work I would voice this to my manager. There wasn't ever a day where I sat doing nothing.

I was given a reasonable amount of responsibility. I wrote and posted organic content for all social channels. I also went on to working on paid campaigns with the rest of my team. I never felt like I was left in the deep end and I always felt like I could ask for help if I needed it.

My placement is down more of a creative route compared to my degree. The skills I have learnt will definitely help me in my marketing modules and it will also help when writing my dissertation. I have learnt many other transferable skills which will help me when applying for jobs after uni and when I'm in the workplace in the future. I feel like experience is just as valuable as my studies.

The office was much more relaxed than I expected. It was a really chilled environment which I felt very comfortable working in. Some people sat on yoga balls as it's meant to be good for your back - I thought this was a nice touch and added to the relaxed vibe. We had regular department drinks when people left / joined the Partnership which nice.

I was the first placement student in my team so there wasn't a clear structure for me to follow on from but I still felt the year was well structured. I always had a clear understand of what I needed to do and what my objectives were. I had quarterly reviews where my objectives were assessed - these objectives shaped my year.

Development is a highly valued in the Partnership, I was encouraged to get involved in as much as possible and to take a day a month to develop a specific skill. The Partnership put on development workshops for my cohort of IP students. We covered Action Learning Sets (ALS), elevator pitches and personal branding. I also attended an IGD conference about the grocery industry which helped me develop role specific knowledge but also personal skills e.g. public speaking.

I would be interested in working for the Partnership again in the future however it depends on what role is available once I finish university. I haven't been promised a job after my placement.

The cost of living isn't really cheap but it's not really expensive either. I was lucky as I was already studying in the area so I continued to live in student accommodation with friends from uni. We paid less than £400 a month for rent and bills which is really reasonable. However, if you are looking for private accommodation prices shoot up and you would be looking to spend 500+ per month on rent and bills.

Nightlife in Bracknell (where our office was) wasn't great, I don't think there are any clubs but there are lots of places to go out and have dinner or drinks after work. Reading is about 9 miles down the road which is where I lived. There are a few good clubs and bars in town and the student union is really fun.

There are societies in the Partnership but I didn't hear much about them and didn't get involved in any. If I joined the Partnership again in the future I would like to get involved in something. I knew a few placement students that got involved in the choir which seemed fun - it's a great way to meet people too!