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 an overall experience I thoroughly enjoyed it. Over the year I have been able to develop as in an individual and gain valuable work experience. I have worked along side very helpful and experienced individuals and have been able to enjoy and learn a new trade in doing so.
I felt that I have tried to add value since starting my placement, from using my skill set to get the job done to trying and contribute to creating a interesting working environment through building relationships and hope that my colleagues have recognised that.
On a day to day basis I feel a network of support has been made available to me as much as I need or choose to use it. As well as the opportunity to take tasks on with little or no help if I wanted the responsibility. The support involved an individual mentor assigned to every placement student who was a senior person in the business to look to for advice, as well as a buddy who was a past graduate who had started to progress but had the same experiences as you would have that same year
Its difficult in this job. Due to the nature of the trade on some days there was a perfect balance and lots of work to enjoy and get stuck in to. On others there was not a lot going on and therefore unfortunately I was not kept busy. The company although experience peak periods such as Christmas and Easter where customer orders increased and these were exciting periods to work.
I have been given the opportunity to take more responsibility than I would have imagined at placement level. Being in positions to take the lead during shifts and make decisions that would impact the business on a day to day basis. The more responsibility you would like to take individually the more opportunity to do so would arise.
More so beyond, the management skills and training I have experienced and started developing since I have been here has been very valuable. The people skills and general communication I have developed will go on to help me in whatever I do in the future.
The Company
Due to the role I was within as a manger within the operation. I would have to try and create and maintain a professional atmosphere to try and get as much work done as possible. Although whilst spending time in the offices along side other managers there was always a good atmosphere to be in.
The overall work placement was set up very well. I had an induction set up for my first few weeks which not only involved training, but the opportunity to go around the different departments in the work place and spend time shadowing other managers so I had the best possible understanding starting my role.
The company invested a lot in me individually I felt. As a placement student or a graduate at Gist the company are hoping to try and progress you to a stage where you would be a suitable leader within the firm to go on and lead the business in the future. This investment was made clear through out the year.
Financial Bonus
Above 25 days holiday
The future prospects were very appealing in Gist. There are many windows of opportunity shown to you as you go through the year and it is made clear what is possible to achieve if you were to return here after graduating. I have had the opportunity to speak to past placement students and graduates about these future prospects and the different prospects available to you.
The Culture
Unfortunately the placement students are split across the companies different sites. I was working at a site with a new graduate and there was opportunity for a good social scene within your own site of work. Although the company would arrange training weeks and days for all the placement students and graduates to partake in which was good opportunity to socialise.
The cost of living and socialising wasn't to steep. I was based working in Hemel but living in Luton. The cost of living and commuting, as well as a maintained social life was all well within the means of the salary I was earning during my placement. Certain travel costs involving work would also be covered by the company as well which was of great assistance.
Details
Placement (10 Months+)
Logistics and Operations
South East
June 2018