Intern Review

I didn't particularly enjoy my internship, but that was more due to the project I was given as it didn't particularly fit my interests. It probably isn't a particularly good team to put an intern in as everyone has their own roles already, so you can't really join in what the main team are doing - I just had a bolt-on project that didn't feel particularly relevant, so I didn't particularly feel a part of the team.

My team are all kind and polite and I get on with them fine, but I didn't really interact with them very much and I certainly didn't feel like it mattered whether I was there or not. There was one lady who was really friendly, but she wasn't in very much. My manager has been pretty good, but the person who runs the team didn't actually speak to me more than about twice - it would have been nice if he could have at least asked how things were going at some point or acknowledged my presence, but it seems that he is like that with everyone, it's not just because I am the intern. Again, I think it is more the team that is the problem - because my project was so separate to what everyone else was doing, they didn't really have cause to speak to me during the day. Everyone is very busy and they tend to eat lunch at their desk, so some days I felt I went the whole day without speaking to anyone. There are others on the same program as me who get on really well with their teams though.

My manager has been pretty good at supporting me through my project and checking in with how I am getting on. He also arranged time for me to network around the business and take a training course, but he has been out of the office quite a lot which has sometimes made it hard.

I had things to do at all times, but my project was very long and pretty boring, so I just felt like I was doing the same thing all day, every day which wasn't the best. There were some days which were better than others and I did occasionally get other work to do, but there was a lot of time that the hours seemed to drag.

Because I had such a side-project, I had responsibility for that, but little else. I didn't really feel I got involved with the business as a whole. I have heard of other interns around the business who have been given quite important roles which are making a difference on a day-to-day basis, so it is not necessarily Tesco as a whole, just my experience here.

I did a training course for a couple of days during my internship which was really useful, but there wasn't much from my project that I felt was helpful. I have also had conversations with people around the business about career paths and options, and I think that will help me with my career choices in the future.

The atmosphere was really friendly and everyone would make time for you - it was a lot more relaxed than I was expecting. Within my team, people could be pretty busy, so there was quite a heads-down feel sometimes, but they always made time for a chat and a laugh at some point. They could be a bit stressed, but at the busiest times they pulled together as a team to help get everything done. There are dress-down Fridays which adds to the friendly atmosphere, but often people work from home on Fridays too, so the office could be pretty quiet.

In general, the internship is well set-up. I can see why a project is a good way to structure the time, as it gives the intern something specific to work towards and gives them responsibility and a chance to make a differences, but I think it would also be nice to get more involved in the day-to-day work of the team and I probably would have enjoyed that more. Having a project that you don't enjoy kind of ruins the whole 10 weeks! The other problem with my project was that it didn't feel particularly relevant, more like something to fill the time, and it also didn't really fit with the program title. The internship and HR teams were excellent and it was all very well organised and easy from that point of view.

I did feel that the firm invested in me, as I went on a training course and also spent several days following people in different teams to see what they did, which didn't particularly add value to the company but helped me. However, I did kind of feel like that was just because I didn't have anything else to do!

I feel that employment prospects are pretty good in general - most of the grads I have spoken to seem to have done the internship first and got a place on the grad scheme because of it. They all seem pretty happy with the scheme too. However I don't think I would take a job if I were to be offered it. I don't think the company is the right place for me as it doesn't really suit how I like to work, plus I don't think the job is quite what I want to do either.

We quite often had lunch together as interns which was great, but outside of work there wasn't much going on. There were several times when people tried to organise events, but nothing much ended up happening. There was an event in London for graduates and interns, but few of the grads from head office bothered to go, and it was generally pretty badly organised.

Cost of living wasn't too bad, but I didn't do that much socialising so couldn't say too much. If you are heading into London for socialising though it will obviously be pretty expensive.

There is not really a nightlife at all in the town, but it is not that far into London, so anyone wanting a good nightlife should head there.

There are some things going on, but the only one I tried to get involved with didn't work out.