Placement Review

Most of the people were amazing and very helpful. I always felt included in current project and worshipped. The work I got was work other permeant employees did as well as leading a smaller project, doing my own testing etc.

All my colleagues were very open and welcoming. Whenever I needed help, no matter how busy they were, they always took time for me to help/ support me. On a personal level, I got on well with pretty much everyone I met in Cummins as most people at least don't tend to speak down to you but rather like everyone (director or placement) is on one level.

The support was very good. Even people I didn't know before I asked them for support on project, I always received the support I needed.

Most days I was so busy that I could've stayed easily another 2 hours every day. But a lot of the time I was busy but without deadlines with is really helpful when you don't have that pressure to have it done by a certain day. Overall, I was busy is a good was that I wasn't bored but also not stressed out to get things done in time.

As further the placement went on, the more responsibility was given to me. As I mentioned before, I got to lead my own little project and to manage multiple testings which were very important to the company as customers were waiting for the results. Obviously, I had to report back to my manager and got support when something went wrong which was too big to handle for me.

I suppose the main thing I can take away from this placement is time management and not being afraid to speak to anybody if needed. The placement I did was very specified and therefore I will not help knowledge wise to a great extend. Also, I learned that you basically know nothing after uni and that experience is so much more important that the uni knowledge in the real world.

Overall, the atmosphere was very laid back in the good kind of way though. Because it was not really hierarchically and more based on respect to your managers, it was very friendly in the office and chats are more that on a daily bases. However the work delivery was still up to a high standard.

Overall, the set up of the placement was really good. The moves between could've been a little bit better organised in terms of where the new desk is going to be and who the manager will be. This was only on 2 days over the year though, so not really a down point.

The company offers a great number of trainings over the year to all employees and placement are almost pushed to develop different skills and the knowledge in these training. I personally went to quite a lot and most of them were very interesting and helpful in for my work or my personal skills, others were more for my personal interest.

If I decide to work in that field of engineering, I would happily come back to this company as I also have heard that a lot of employees here speak very highly of Cummins, which is a good sign in my eyes. In Cummins, however, you will always work with Diesel Engines and its components and if I want that, I am not so sure, that's why only 7 stars.

We had a placement group which pretty much included all the placement and we did a lot together. Unfortunaltely, most placements went over or back to where they study over the weekends, but I suppose that depends on the placements. Also, I went climbing and on a few nights out etc with "non-placements" (permanent employees).

Huddersfield, where I was based, is in between Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield and therefore, if I wanted to go to a city I was there fairly quickly and if I wanted to go to the countryside, it was pretty much in front of my doorstep. However, without a car the activities are limited to the centre of Huddersfield (not much going on) or to take the train to a city which is a direct train or around 20 min/ 30 min. Living was cheap, depending on where you want to live though. I rented a room out in the house of one of my colleagues and that was very good value for the money.

If you are used to a town nightlife, like I am, it is a good night out without having to pay entrance fees are dressing up (in Huddersfield). If you fancy a awesome night out, Leeds/ Manchester are a good place to go and not far away (even with a taxi we only paid around £25 overall).

I had the opportunity to join the gymnastics team from uni (never did unfortunately due to me). Also I know about some who joined the local badminton team/ swimming team/ ... If wanted there is always a way to do activities outside work.