Mechanical Engineering Industrial Placement Student Review

The work in general at placement is quite slow, things that you'd expect to complete within a few days can take months due to legislation and other peoples work ethic. The work can be quite challenging but there is plenty of help available. Outside of work there is a limited amount of opportunities to do anything especially if you dont drive as youre in an area where driving is a necessity

I was given some work that seemed to be already completed previously and it felt they were trying to fob me off a little bit. I was also offered help whenever I needed it for whatever tasks I was doing. I was invited to play football with some of my colleagues.

I was mainly left to my own devices with work and although I could ask for work when required I wasn't given any guidance to start with. There was a progress meeting at the around Christmas time to see what I could improve upon and what I had completed well and review around april judged based on the goals set around Christmas time.

Due to the nature of the material your working with there are a load of safety precautions and legislation in place but this elongates all tasks meaning that it can take a few weeks to complete something that would take days in other industries.

I was involved in project teams that could have an impact on the future of various areas of the company. While working as a system engineer I was given a system and had to ensure that it was correctly maintained and was future-proofed. Plenty of help if required.

I had access to Computer Aided Design (CAD) which I used throughout University. I learnt how to effectively plan projects which ive used in my university degree. Loads of different training courses available for various things I went on a specification writing course where I learnt what goes into specification which has been useful for my dissertation and other project based targets. I worked with supply chain so it improved my communications skills drastically, both face to face and over the phone.

Dependent on the office the atmosphere could be fun and jokey although there are some areas of the business where you could hear a pin drop and you are hardly spoken to.

The scheme is well organised for the most part, with an assessment centre a few weeks in followed by a review and then review at the end of the year to discuss your targets that were set. If you had a problem it was problematic to resolve as when you emailed hr sometimes they'll will twist what you say causing more problems then solving

Although they allowed me to go on in company training course, having researched a training course outside of the company and being originally told that I would be allowed to go, they then said that I wouldn't be allowed to go without much explanation which was disappointing especially having put time and effort into the research.

The company is currently going through transition so the older generation are passing out and newer generation coming through. This means there are plenty of opportunities to work if you pass there assessment then they will offer you a job.

The social scene is pretty terrible, the nights out are shocking not even worth going very little was put on for us and most people I know went home at weekends due to being very bored. They do football and other sports but can be quite cliquey. Unless you have a car you will struggle to do anything at weekends and weekdays after work.

The cost of socialising and living is ridiculously cheap when compared to London. Although with the cheapness comes the lack of actual activities mean there is very little socialising other than drinking

The nightlife is terrible, the best night out I had I ended up in Newcastle because the area we were in was so terrible we decide to take an 1 hour 30 minute train.

They play football, tennis and other expeditions are made although without a car you will struggle to do anything. There is a subsidised gym but it is still ridiculously expensive for what it is. overall there isn't much to do