Supply chain Intern Review

I started with no expectations about the internship. Supply Chain sounded more like pure operations, with little room for innovation and "interesting bits". I was amazed to find how complex the business model is and how many teams work together to get products on shelf! From forecasting - accuracy, modelling, adapting models to different store sizes, to strategy, building floor plans and shelfs, managing range changes, international sides of the business, packaging etc., while ensuring that all the stakeholders agree with the proposed changes - there are plenty of interesting things to do!

Everyone working at Tesco was incredibly helpful, open to answer any questions and to schedule 121s during the working schedule. As my experience about Supply Chain was very limited, having the chance to meet colleagues from about 20 different teams during the 10-weeks experience was incredibly insightful.

I felt that my line manager was one of the best mentors I could've asked for. Because he was very friendly and open to any questions, I had the courage to ask about projects outside the internship-assigned one and had the opportunity to gain a rounded learning experience. Also, although I was asking a few questions multiple times due to the overwhelming amount of information received in the first few weeks, I received the support needed to deliver my project every time. Equally, the entire team was friendly and supportive.

As we were given ownership on a project, the workload was flexible enough to allow a work-life balance, while offering the chance to take additional responsibility and expand our knowledge outside the main assigned task, if wanted. I chose to work longer hours sometimes, just to learn more and deliver more, at the end of the internship and it was one of the best ways of making the most out of the 10 weeks spent here.

As we were given ownership on a project, the workload was flexible enough to allow a work-life balance, while offering the chance to take additional responsibility and expand our knowledge outside the main assigned task, if wanted. I chose to work longer hours sometimes, just to learn more and deliver more, at the end of the internship and it was one of the best ways of making the most out of the 10 weeks spent here.

The internship made me consider multiple viewpoints when taking a decision, to truly improve my teamwork skills and gain a strategical mindset. Working between two teams helped me make decisions based on conflicting priorities and based on common company values and to sharpen my decision-making skills.

Based on the principle that people are the most important assets, the organisers took really good care of all the interns. We had regular meetings scheduled with senior partners, we had numerous trainings with teams across the business and we have been assigned a buddy, as part of the mentorship scheme.

As each of us was working in a different team and was given a different intern-led project, we did not have numerous opportunities to socialise on a day-to-day basis. Fortunately, we have been assigned a team for raising money for charity, which helped us socialise with interns from around the business.

The only 2 pubs opened offered modest prices, about 50% cheaper than in London. However, I found the accommodation about 20-30% more expensive than in Glasgow, where I normally live during term time and VERY limited. The best thing to do would be saving during the week and taking a train to London in the weekends, when possible.

The only 2 pubs and 2 cafes in Welwyn did not offer a proper chance for socialising. As the city is full of big families focused on raising their children, walking their dogs and finding their cats, there was not much chance to socialise outside work, not considering London. Also, as the lights turn off at midnight, going out outside the city and returning the same day felt unsafe.

As the city is too small and quiet, with nobody walking on the streets and with little chance for a social life, there are not many opportunities to get involved in things outside work. Fortunately, Tesco compensated for the limited opportunities outside work.