Visual Merchandising Intern Review

I didn’t find my experience enjoyable overall. Despite my ever-growing love for TBS and my 7 years of service in-store, I felt I wasn’t delt a fair share of opportunity and was treated unfairly in many situations. Coming from a strong, passionate in-store team - I had formidable respect for the brand, however I come away from this opportunity with the complete opposite outlook.

Overall throughout my entire experience I felt valued by my wider colleague base - however I didn’t feel this was replicated by my closer team of colleagues. In some instances I would say I disapprove of how I was left to my own devices. I was made to feel inadequate in more than one instance and spent most of my experience clearing out a stock room that, in the words of my direct line manager, “breached health and safety regulations”.

I don’t feel as if my line manager gave me the necessary support in regards to my next steps... Throughout my mid year review he specifically said, “I don’t think you should personally stay with The Body Shop, I think you should gain experience elsewhere”. My passion for the brand was always apparent - I saw my future with the brand and it was constantly knocked down by comments like these.

Most of my days consisted of tidying or cleaning up after my team. I’m not sure how this is constructive, as I certainly didn’t learn anything from doing this. I believe this is down to poor management. I could of been busy by collaborating with other VM teams and seeking new ways we could make our channels more efficient, something I always mentioned in my appraisals and to HR, however new ideas were never entertained or explored.

I wasn’t ever given the opportunity to front a project unfortunately - again down to a poor management. I don’t think my line manager was a team player as the work load wasn’t delegated fairly. I couldn’t say I had any ownership over anything apart from the Mock Shop store room, which was always organised, until it was messed up by my team and I was expected to clean up after them time and time again.

It didn’t. I didn’t find the company at all helpful when it came to career prospects. Because I was a post-grad I had all intention to stay with the brand, however due to the lack of support from my line manager and hr I had to cut my internship short to find a job elsewhere... and had to pay £600 that was remaining for a train pass that I had no use for.

Dull - everyone seemed very negative most of the time.

As mentioned previously I don’t think I was invested in at all.

As mentioned before - I wasn’t given much support on my future prospects. Being a post-grad I thought I would of been valued a lot more than I was. Opportunities were non existent when it came to finding a job.

I didn’t live in the area - I commuted. The food I bought for lunch most days was affordable... box park is a must. Probably the highlight of my experience.

Not really - my team didn’t really organise any team based/team building activities, hense why I think there was such a disconnect between myself and my team. No effort was made, which is something I feel is really important to get to know one another. Other than that the interns had to plan their own activities.