ISIT Customer Care Placement Review

I really enjoyed my time at Nestle. The Customer Care team made me feel very welcome and the LGO as a whole department is very friendly and not as scary as I thought it would have been. No one looked down on me, as a placement we were treated equally just like a normal employee.

My favourite part of my placement was working with the colleagues in York. Each and every one of them were approachable and friendly. Especially when I first started, it was easy to feel of no use but everyone tried to involve me as much as they could. I never felt uncomfortable to ask questions.

I had amazing support and guidance by my manager he was always available if I needed him and no question was too silly. At the beginning, I was not sure if the job was for me and my manager Stephen really put me at ease, making me feel welcome. I believe the whole team also felt this.

Due to my job which was Customer Care placement I was always very busy as I had shifts. If I wasn't on shift I was completing my other day to day tasks which includes going to meetings and training. I felt like I had a good work balance and if I ever found it too much I was able to get help.

I felt I had a lot of responsibility as I was speaking directly to customers trying to sort their issues out. However I never felt like I had too much responsibility, I think I had a good balance as I always knew I could ask for help if I needed it which was very reassuring.

I have gained a range of skills while on placement that will assist me in my final year. My skills such as organisation, time keeping and problem solving have all grown while on placement as these are the skills I used the most. However my communication and presentation skills have came on so much in the last year due to the work I was doing last year.

In the LGO there was a great atmosphere, you could tell that people were very busy and hard at work however there were times such as Christmas that the mood was more fun and lighter. We also had a weekly office bake off this really lifted the mood of the office and gave us something to look forward too.

I think my placement was very well set up. I may not have understood the job fully when I applied but with clear training and guidance I was able to understand it better. I was on work placement with 10 other people so it was nice that there was a little group of us all going through the same thing.

I think Nestle really invests in their placement students and they're many opportunities if you wish to take them for training and furthering your knowledge. They sent me on a presentation course and now I feel my presentation skills have really improved. I was also allowed time to start my dissertation during my placement and that really helped for final year.

As Nestle is such a large global company there are many prospects for future employment. They have so many different sectors that there's something for everyone especially if you're interested in working abroad. They have graduate schemes as well as internships over the summer which all help your CV especially having the experience working in Nestle.

As there was 11 of us we were a really tight group who still keep in touch. We used to have lunch together in work, work on things together and present together. We also done a lot outside of our placement by going out or going to the races together.

The cost of living in York is pretty standard I used to pay £110 a week for rent which included bills, I would walk to work as I lived so close meaning I didn't have many expenses which was nice as it meant I had more money to spend on other things like going out.

The nightlife was okay I think as I go to university in Liverpool its not as good as there however there are a few clubs which are good. York also has lots of cute little independent bars and pubs along the river which is really nice especially in the summer months.

While I was on placement I joined a local running club, there were lots of activities to get involved with if you wish. Some of the other placement students I was friends with had joined netball, hockey, football clubs as well as gyms. There also is a swimming pool right beside the York factory.