Commercial Strategy Analyst Review

I was in the Commercial Strategy Team as a Market analyst, and it gave me a brilliant insight into all things commercial, our products and the process of winning contracts. So I was able to get involved in lots of different projects so each day was different

I was pleasantly suprised by the amount of influence I was able to make on the team, and other teams. I would be advising other teams of how is best to target a customer based on my research and really helped me build my confidence and knowledge in the team

My manager was brilliant when I joined the business, checking in to make sure my workload wasn't too much and vice versa, and really allowed me to get involved in what I wanted. They knew I was there to learn and build experience, and by doing that it would benefit the company too

It varied. Some days I would have a lot of work to do, and some days, I would be looking for more. It really depends when contracts are up for renewal, or if we are working to win a new one. It was always manageable

I was given a fair bit of responsibility on some projects, I would lead the analysis for the team, with my manager there to support me on it. I would also have to present my findings to the 'customer' (another team in the business) and give recommendations on what the research suggested for them to do/not to do

The placement really helped me understand what I enjoyed doing and what I didn't enjoy, thankfully it wasn't much of the latter. Once I realised, I was able to take advantage of all the online training provided to build my skills into strengths. It was advised that I used those resources as they were free and a brilliant way to build my CV

It was really welcoming, the team I was in wasn't up-tight about work, and would happily have a non-work related chat. It is always nice and helps make the experience that much more enjoyable. Everyone outside of the team is also willing to help out and give advice or help when you ask for it, which really made some of my projects much easier

I feel that the programme the team has in place now is looking more structured and beneficial that what it may have been at the start, and it helped me get involved in events I may not have been involved in previously

My team and department were really open to helping me on work, and subsequently helping me develop my skills and knowledge. They also needed to run a business, and the amount of effort I received alongside doing the normal day job was brilliant and helped me a lot during my time there

The pathway in my team, wasn't clear as the team was fairly small and didn't have a graduate role available. However, I was involved in fast track to graduate schemes within the company and helped me understand what is on offer in other part of the business

We organised social events every now and then, the only problem was location as it is in the middle of Southampton and Portsmouth, people were spread out, and so was difficult to organise, but I didn't mind

I lived just outside Portsmouth and the cost of living was reasonable, however the cost of travel was more than expected having to drive to work for 30 mins each day

Around work, there was no nightlife, as it was in the middle of Southampton and Portsmouth, however a 25/30 mins drive to both of them and you had a good nightlife

I played football with my team every now and then, there was a sports and social club that you could join, to meet other people, and socialise. I didn't get involved in that but have heard good things