HR Placement Student Review

My time at Cummins was the most valuable and most enjoyable part of my business degree thus far. I met people who ensured I pushed myself to reach my strengths, and found my weaknesses so I could build upon those. This made me a much more confident professional going into my final year of university and thus graduate positions.

My immediate team that I was based in invested a lot of time into my growth, and followed my progress with bi weekly appraisals ensuring I was comfortable with my work, and providing support with things I was struggling with. I was also given space to be independent to ensure I learnt from my own mistakes and developed myself. The rest of the business made me feel extremely welcome.

Our leadership team were heavily involved in my placement year and the other students in different departments on their placement years - providing us with projects to complete and support through those. My supervisor supported me greatly through our 1-1 meetings where I learnt to raise my concerns or stresses so they could be resolved quickly.

During my time on placement I was fairly busy, and sometimes too busy, and other times my work balance was just right. I really valued these periods of being 'too' busy though, as it provided me with the skills to learn how to manage my time and prioritise my workload. These skills will be extremely valuable during my final year of studies.

During my time at Cummins I was given ample responsibility; that of which I would if I was a full time regular within the business. Again, this made me feel part of the team and gave my work great purpose as I really felt I was contributing to the success of the team.

The skills I have developed are second to none from Cummins and everyone I have encountered during my year here. I have taken part in training based around my soft skills (presentation, professionalism, communication) and also specific training based around my subject which I can take to roles when I graduate - software training, people management training etc.

The office is an extremely professional environment, with some light heartedness at times. I valued this sense of formality as it made working easier and speaking to people within a work setting far more purposeful than if the 'fun never stopped'. People were more than happy to help no matter what I was struggling with,.

The placement scheme was well set up, but could have been slightly improved upon, but I have fed these possible changes back and have seen them actioned for our next intake so I would say with these changes my year has suggested - the placement scheme would be seamless. The business is really focused on student development and giving a student every opportunity to flourish.

The firm invested heavily in all our development meaning we grew individually and within our specific departments/specialties but also as a group of colleagues. We had a student development group that met every week heavily supported by leadership which I felt really aided me in my growth as both a professional and as somebody who can now work through conflict and issues raised within a team setting.

Future opportunities within Cummins is something that really appeals to myself as a prospective business graduate. The graduate scheme mirrors the placement scheme in its success for the growth of those on it, and I'd love to be in a similar environment for the start of my professional career to what I have been this year.

The friends that I have made this year on placement are now some of my best friends, and the colleagues that I have worked with I plan to keep in touch with in the future. Although we did not plan ample social events outside of work, the professional relationships I have built with people really provided me with a feeling of support and appreciation in my time here.

I lived at home during my placement year due to only living down the road from the plant - but the location of the plant is in a pleasant town, with plenty around to do. The other students all being based in the same area was also good as we often did things as a grou

Darlington's nightlife isn't the best, but can be fun with the right people. There is plenty big cities just a short train journey away to enjoy those too - Newcastle, York, Leeds, Durham and Middlesbrough are all easy to get to so they also provide a different scene for nightlife.

As a student who lived at home I thought maybe I would be left out of things that students who had moved here took part in, but we often met for a meal. We went bowling and for a meal with Cummins and some of our mentors when we first started which was a brilliant ice breaker.