Automotive Field Test Engineering Placement Student Review

Working at Lubrizol provided a fantastic opportunity to get fully involved in some real industry leading projects. The variety of work, challenges and responsibility made for a really enjoyable year. I was never sat around with nothing to do and was always deeply involved in projects, making the experience invaluable.

The whole team both in my department and across the company made me feel like I was providing a good contribution within my role. I was treated like another full time employee and with the responsibility that brings definitely felt valued.

Starting the role within automotive field test entails a steep learning curve. However the guidance and support that you are given is invaluable. The whole field test team were great at helping me with any queries. Having three mentors in your team, another testing department and a business role meant there was always someone who could help with any issues.

One of the best things about a placement experience with Lubrizol is have plenty of high level work to get your teeth into. There is always work that needs doing and the field test team are great at helping you build up to having the right amount of work to suite you. If you are too busy they provide great support in spreading the work load across the team.

Lots! Which was brilliant - being treated like a real engineer, managing your own time, deadlines and even moving on to managing parts of projects all allowed me to get so much more out of the placement experience.

Being on this placement provided me with so many opportunities to develop my various skill sets. The main thing for me was the variety of skills I got to develop, everything from technical skills to working with international colleagues/external test sites and even the business appreciation of engineering. These will all be invaluable in my final year and going on into a graduate job.

Cant fault it. The field test team I worked with were fantastic. There was perfect mixture of having fun and meeting your deadline. The office atmosphere will very relaxed making it feel very welcoming.

Starting the placement provided a steep learning curve moving into a fast paced industry testing team but there was a very well structure handover of 6 weeks and plenty of support from everyone as and when it was required, allowed me to get up to speed quickly and get the most out of the year long experience

I got plenty of training on software and technical material which I will take forward with me well beyond the placement. There was lots of personal development opportunities, as well as the opportunities to go attend technical seminars to learn more about the additive industry.

Unfortunately being a smaller site with low turnover in staff there is no graduate scheme or often jobs for graduates, however over time many graduates have returned to work for the company!

There was plenty of events and social nights out both with other placement students and within the department.

The Hazelwood site I was based at is very close to Derby. Here the cost of living and going out was very cheap compared.

Derby has a good mix of a bars and a few clubs. Nottingham and Loughborough are also close with plenty of bars and clubs.

Both within my department and Lubrizols sports and social club there was lots of opportunities to do a wide range of activities. There is something for everyone with activities more than weekly.