Placement student Review

I really enjoyed my time in Manchester over the summer and would enjoy a job with the team in the future. There are plenty of young people working at Siemens, in Manchester, on placements/years in industry/grad programs within different departments. The same can't be said for the Newcastle offices, however. It's a much smaller site so doesn't have the same social set up. Most people are 30+ and male.

My colleagues were kind and chatty. Being in a new city on your own, your colleagues can make a massive difference to how much you enjoy the placement. I found that in the Project Management department of the Manchester offices, the team were welcoming and valued me as an addition to the team.

I sat next to my manager throughout the placement which I found very helpful because any important queries I had, I was able to directly ask him. More information could have been provided on the opportunities Siemens provide, beyond the placement. The HR team were very good at staying in touch and ensuring my placement was going well throughout my time.

There were times that were busier and times that were quieter. Lull moments were sometimes useful because I had university jobs that I needed to complete. However, if my full time job was to be at the same business level, I wouldn't feel happy in my role.

The jobs I was given were quite responsible but I would mainly put this down to working in the Project Management team. Due to the type of work they do, they can give you more responsible roles, even though you're only working there for 3 months. I completed an Engineering placement with Siemens the year before in Newcastle and this placement was nowhere near as fulfilling. The team didn't provide me with anything real to work on. I just had odd sod jobs that made the placement drag and made me want to not work for the company in the future. Due to being on a scholarship scheme with Siemens, I returned the following year but instead to Manchester where I had a much better time.

I think that most of the skills I developed are just useful skills for the working environment in the future. However, having a job over the summer does get you used to working hours that can make you more disciplined at university. I also completed site visits whilst on my placement, so got used to hire cars, using hotels with work, submitting expenses etc.

There was a relaxed but working atmosphere that allowed you to have a quick break and chat if you wanted, but also allowed you to have a quiet enough environment to get on with your work. The perfect balance I would say. My boss was also very trusting but you were aware that work had to be completed well for that trust to be maintained.

I have a scholarship with Siemens through the Power Academy. Because of this, the placement was well organised. When I started my placement, some smaller goals were outlined but they were tweaked and larger jobs given to me once my boss trusted and got to know me. There were separate meetings with HR and my boss when my placement came to a close, reviewing my time.

I was provided with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for site visits, however, I wasn't trained to visit site on my own. I was always accompanied by someone with site training. I completed all obligatory training in my first placement in Newcastle that I assume carried forward for my second placement as I didn't complete it again.

There are a lot more perks once you start working full time, I think. The energy management section that I worked for over both placements is actually separating from Siemens to form its own company as it currently isn't profitable enough. Hence, they couldn't offer me a job at the end of my placement, but did make it clear that I would be fast tracked if I applied for a role.

There were always people of a similar age to meet with for lunch. My main friends during my placement were people who were also on the Power Academy scheme. However, we would all then have other people that we would work with or know that you could then meet. They could do with having more after work social get-togethers, however.

Manchester is a relatively cheap city to live in, however, the offices are located in Didsbury which is an expensive area within Manchester. My friends are students in Manchester and live in Fallowfield which is cheap, however, it does have a bit of a crime issue. I actually lived in my sisters student house in Wavertree, Liverpool during my time and commuted in. The drive was an hour each was and quite easy as it was all motorways. I prefered liverpool as a city to live in.

I went on a couple of nights out in Manchester and there were lots of clubs to go to but all not necessarily that close to each other. So, wherever you choose to go for the night is where you stay, can't really hop between clubs. Liverpool, were I was living, was a great night out. Cheap and fun, would recommend.

They had a walking club that travelled to the Lake/Peak Districts for walks. I never actually joined this club, however, I did do hikes in these nearby regions which were beautiful. There was a basketball team but there were no girls who were part of the team. They did provide free massages, when booked, and yoga classes. They could definitely improve on the out of hours opportunities that they provide, however, the opportunities ween't poor.