Sales Operations Undergraduate at Volkswagen Group UK

I enjoyed working for Volkswagen Group UK (VWG), there were many opportunities across the organisation and lots of other things to get involved in such as charity involvement. It was a great scheme and well organised, with many benefits.

I felt very valued by my colleagues- they were very supportive throughout my year and were keen for me to get involved in many different teams to widen my exposure. I was given lots of responsibility from the start, and had regular updates with my team about my progress and what i am gaining from my placement.

Despite having 3 changes of line manager, all were supportive and guided me throughout my placement year. They were consultative and had regular meetings to ensure i was enjoying what i was doing, and benefiting from it. They invested lots in me as an undergraduate and i felt a valued member of the team.

This varied depending on the time of the month, as it was very busy at month end. There were some months where i wasn't given many tasks and had to go out looking for things and asking for extra work to fill my time. i think focusing on the placement scheme and specific job role and tasks could definitely be improved.

I was given some responsibility on individual tasks, and reports at the end of the month. However I wasn't able to see many tasks through/see where they went, as they mostly went to my line manager. I was given responsibility when working across my brand with other departments, representing my division.

I received good experience and enjoyed my placement year. I learnt many general business skills, understanding culture and office life. I think this will be beneficial in future roles, alongside my improved numerical skills and system skills such as excel.

There was a positive atmosphere within my team, but not as much cross-team interaction as i expected. It was quite a quiet atmosphere and i think i would strive better in a fast-paced and louder environment. Atmosphere was inclusive, and many people were willing to help and guide me as an undergraduate.

I thought it was organised very well initially, i.e. introduction, recruitment process, first day objectives etc. However we didn't refer back to these introductory packs with objectives, and it seemed that managers were unaware of these. I also think my job role needed more clarity, in order to understand what i was working towards throughout my year.

Good personal training and development, lots of courses to get involved in and managers encouraged going on these.

Good prospects and graduate scheme sounded great- however recruitment process was dealt with really poorly, and we were initially told the outcome would be announced end of June 2019, and it has been delayed and still not announced with poor follow up contact, at the end of October 2019. Graduate scheme not guaranteed a job afterwards.

Really good social scene, 35 undergraduates and around 8 graduates. Lots of social events with them that we organised ourselves. Lack of social events within brand/with colleagues in my specific brand.

Milton Keynes was very different to anywhere I have lived before, and many of us lived quite far apart from each other. Socialising in the centre was decent, and cost of living was quite expensive. 2 bedroom flat in a nice area by the office, was around £1000 PCM (average amongst undergraduates)

Number of bars, clubs quite spread out and expensive as you have to get taxis across MK.

Charity opportunities and fitness event were available. Milton Keynes have lots of extra curricular activities too, such as dance schools.