Commercial Operations Management Review

I did my placement at GE Aviation based in Cheltenham. I thoroughly enjoyed my placement as the work was often interesting and challenging. My expectations weren't high as, prior to placement, I had no interest in aviation and was just desperate for a job, however I really did love learning about the industry and the products attached.

I worked in a smaller building at the Cheltenham site in an office of approx. 80 people. Everyone knew each other and I felt extremely comfortable within the first couple of weeks of starting. I felt valued as I was called up upon to complete tasks for various different people in different departments, not just my manager.

I sat next to my line manager in the office and felt comfortable asking her for support and guidance whenever needed. I also knew I could approah offers for help as well.

In the first three months I didn't have that much work and did get bored. However as I began to prove myself I received more work and was trusted to complete to a high standard

I regularly met customers and completed work that would be shown to customers or used to create contracts. There are a lot of secretive deals in the works that I was often exposed to and no one seemed to mind. I was also taken abroad by my manager to represent GE too so I felt a strong sense of responsibility there to

I think this stepping stone will be more helpful in a future job, e.g. I'm no longer afraid to pick up the phone and call someone! Studies wise not so much as the skills I developed were quite specific to a work place situation.

It varied. At times people were relaxed and laid back, particularly over the holidays we would decorate for Halloween and Christmas etc. At other times there was more stress e.g. towards the end of quarters.

The organisation was good as I got settled. For example when I first started I didn't have my laptop for the first week, I had to move desk within a month and one of my supervisors resigned. So when I needed the most stability it wasn't there however as the placement went on and I found my 'role' the organisation was a lot better.

The company doesn't have a transitional graduate job at the end and you have to apply like everyone else. Despite the required training there isn't really any future investment past the year placement. The actual year investment is really good, senior managers will make time for you, the company will pay for you to visit other sites and attend talks, they give you a laptop & phone. So future wise no investment, for that year lots of investment.

You have to reapply for a job, or grad scheme with everyone else. Although they like seeing GE on your CV it doesn't guarantee you jump recruitment steps or get the job.

There were 22 other interns based in Gloucestershire for my department (propellers) and 65 based at the Cheltenham site. So we were quite a social bunch.

Coming from uni in Oxford I found the cost of living to be far more reasonable in Cheltenham, however I know other interns from up north disagreed.

Cheltenham and Gloucester had a pretty good night out, a couple of clubs and lots of bars. Bristol is about a 40 minute train ride too which is better.

Yeah lots of sport clubs in particular in Cheltenham. There is also crazy golf, bowling a cinema for casual one offs. I joined a Netball team.