IT Intern Review

I highly enjoyed my work placement. The work given to me was interesting and engaging but could be stressful at times as it held real weight and value for the company. However, I was supported throughout and there was a really good atmosphere among colleagues and I was welcomed into the team immediately.

I had a very good working relationship with my colleagues and was really made to feel part of the team. There were often times where my colleagues had to ask me for help with problems which really made me feel like my skills and knowledge were valued and recognized and that I wasn't just there to make up the numbers.

There was a very high level of support and guidance throughout the entire placement. Every intern is assigned a mentor who are very supportive and can help you with any issues you have. They also conduct regular review sessions to ensure you're on track to meet your personal development goals and you're getting the most out of your internship.

There were peaks and troughs with how busy I was, with the busiest times coinciding with quarter end, but there was always work to be done and I never found myself with nothing to do. The less busier periods gave me a chance to catch up on some of my project work where as my time was focused on providing IT support during the busier periods.

I was given a very high level of responsibility during my placement. There were many projects and tasks which were highly important for the business that I was solely responsible for and trusted with. I was given sole responsibility over a project which the business was relying on to mitigate the effects of Brexit.

The experience and knowledge gained from my placement have been invaluable to my personal development. My year with GE has instilled a discipline and work ethic that I will be able carry forward into my studies and future career. I have gained many new technical skills and developed existing ones. The work I've done throughout the year has given me inspiration for potential final year projects whilst also helping me realize what areas/subjects I would like to avoid.

The office had a really nice atmosphere to work in, relaxed yet professional. Everyone was really friendly and helpful and there was a real sense of being a team. If you needed help there was always someone there who could help you. We would also celebrate people's birthdays by bringing food and treats in.

I was blown away by the internship programme they had developed as it wasn't something I was expecting before I started. It really showed they cared about my personal development. My internship was split into several phases and I was expected to complete a certain number of professional presentations, E-learning courses, workshops and on job training/shadowing in each phase. I would attend a review with my mentor and manager at the end of each phase for an evaluation and I would also give a presentation on my progress/development to the internship committee. I was expected to collect evidence of the progress I had made in my internship folder which I would handover to the committee for review. This provided me with a great record of my achievements and evidence of my development at the end of the year which helped me with my university requirements. Each intern is also expected to complete a cost out project with the opportunity to pitch out to senior leadership at the end of the year. This programme has been extremely beneficial for my personal development and highly enjoyable at the same time.

Our internship programme ensured we were given time out from our regular job function in order to attend workshops and training sessions, shadow colleagues, work on our presentations and internship folders, and complete E-learning courses. My manager and mentor would also complete regular reviews and evaluations to ensure I was meeting my development goals and set me back on track if I was not. The internship programme and structure they provided highlights how the company cares about my personal development.

There are some really good graduate schemes available that can be extremely beneficial to your development and the advancement of your career. However, these schemes are extremely competitive and very intense which can be of putting. A career within the organisation is highly appealing, however, as it's a world renowned, global organisation with many opportunities to work abroad and they're a company that invests highly in the development of their employees.

As the business takes on 50 interns each year, there was a very good atmosphere and camaraderie among interns with a great social scene. We would often have social nights out whilst also holding events and activities such as 5-a-side football, surfing and rock climbing. Many interns live together as well so there was still a feeling of university life.

The area I worked in is often cited as having one of the lowest costs of living for students. Coupled with having a regular income meant that I could live comfortably within my means whilst also enjoying all the activities I like to do such as going out for meals/drinks and taking part in sport events.

The area I worked in is a capital city so the nightlife is highly enjoyable with all the amenities you would hope for. There's a wide variety of bars, pubs and clubs with there also being more alternative options such as comedy clubs to cater for everyone's interests. It also gets quite busy so there's a good atmosphere whilst also being very safe.

There were many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work as there are a wide number of sports teams to involve yourself with such as rugby, golf and football that play against local businesses and organisations. There are also many charity events to take part in such as The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge which the company takes part in annually.