Communications, Media and CR Assistant at JN Bentley

Duration
Placement Year (10 Months+)
Region
Skipton Yorkshire and Humberside
Review Date
Salary
£14,000 - £15,999
Roles
Administration/Secretarial Internet/e-Commerce/New Media

7.1/10

The Role
7.7
Organisation
6.6

Socialising

6.8

The Role

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

My placement has offered me a great insight into working life. Being given responsibility to manage projects and get involved with team decisions. It has been very beneficial to my learning and advancing my capabilities.

My placement has allowed me to gain confidence in a professional environment as well as an individual, creating working relationships and progressing in my job role. However, I feel I have had too much autonomy in contrast to the support I have been given in return.

7/10

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

I am in a team of 3, working alongside the communications and media advisor on a daily basis who has shown me a lot of support through patience and time when offering me feedback and explaining company initiatives - making sure I can perform well in my job role.

Having the opportunity to produce new content, I have felt my ideas have been valued and taken on board.

7/10

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

I did not receive as much support as I would have liked. However, this was manageable and made up by the fact my other colleague offered me support when needed. Time was spent on me when I asked for it and I was listened to a respected when I did not understand something.

6/10

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

I always had something to do, always working towards a deadline. I had varied tasks which took time to plan and make sure the outcome was successful.
Most of my time was taken up by producing internal magazines. However, when I was not focusing on these projects I had to prioritise tasks/ create some to ensure I was managing the workload.

8/10

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

I was given the responsibility to run campaigns, redesign the internal magazine, enhance the companies recognition scheme as well as running office charity events. It was great to have so much responsibility as well as quite stressful at times - but this has helped me learn how to work in pressurised environments and stay professional.

9/10

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

It has offered me professional skills: such as 'real-world’ problems - meeting deadlines and managing time. Leadership and entrepreneurial skills were also developed, having a responsibility, making decisions, and demonstrating high ethical standards.

I will be able to further my critical thinking when analysing models and theory at university.

I wish I had received more training and support in specific areas.

9/10

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

Friendly atmosphere, helping me feel welcome when I first joined. Everyone is happy to help and can have a conversation on a good level.
There is a lot of humour which can really help you feel motivated and happy on the job. Many people have worked in the business for over 10 years, however, all show interest in you.

8/10

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

The assessment and induction day were well organised, giving me confidence I would be well supported throughout my placement year. I was given an induction and job role pack helping me refer to them when I needed questions answered and extra information. Although when I joined my team I was unsure for a while what was expected of me and how to perform tasks the way that was wanted. However, I soon picked this up - helping me use my imitative.

7/10

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

The company invested in me as much as they could - this was given more through their time and patience when training me on specific software and new concepts. Although I did not feel fully supported at times this was made up by having a good colleague who was always willing to help and listen to me.

8/10

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

  • Above 25 days holiday
5/10

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

A graduate scheme is offered but only in specific departments. You have the chance to be sponsored in your last year at university, however, my team is not expanding / unlikely to offer is. I would feel more obliged to work here in the future if the location was more city based.

5/10

Social

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

The social scene was left to our selves to arrange. Placement students worked more within their departments not together on projects. However placement students can get involved in helping run the office tuck shop which helped bring us together. This was another good responsibility to have as it developed my team work skills.

6/10

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

Working in North Yorkshire is cheap, with big named supermarkets in the area as well as independent shops. The shops include a famous fish and chip shop, farm and pie shops. There are a few local pubs as well as a Weatherspoon's making socialising easy on lunch and after work! These are all in walking distance or a 2-5 min car journey.

9/10

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

There is a few nice pubs to eat and drink with 1 night club.

7/10

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

There was a football even once a week. However no other activities I am aware of. other offices took part in more activities!

5/10

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