Solutions Engineering Placement Student Review

My time at ASM has been great. I have enjoyed the content of the work, despite it being a different industry to my course, Advanced Vehicle Engineering. Everyone is very helpful and willing to add value to your placement, even if it is not related to work, and just for improving your skillset.

Pretty much everyone was very friendly and helpful. There were exceptions, as in any workplace. These people were kept from affecting my placement, thanks to the support of other colleagues.

My manager was extremely helpful. He set me up with meetings to learn not only about my area of the business, but everything. I have grown so much confidence in my abilities and I really believe my placement has been invaluable.

The nature of my role meant that sometimes I was not busy, but most of the time if I was not busy, I could find someone who would give me a different task. These tasks were varied and sometimes were as simple as passing on materials or information, sometimes they were large projects that lasted for many months.

My favourite part of my placement is the fact I was trusted to run a huge design project. This was a new product that I designed from the ground up, starting with sketches and moving onto CAD and eventually production. I feel I was allowed an amazing opportunity to almost have a project manager role, even though I was only a placement student.

The nature of my role allowed me to deal with every aspect of the business. I have developed so many skills, from basics such as communication and organizational skills, all the way up to being sent on a CAD course for a week and creating a real work ethic for myself.

Focussed, but fun. Most of the time, there was a small babble of conversation in the office. It was normal to dip out for a coffee a couple of times a day, and take a step back from the desk and have a chat.

The jobs given to me by my manager were very fluid and changed every day, so it was difficult to make this 'organised'. Where possible it was very well structured and clear goals were set out. Generally, the placement was a little scattered, but again, this is the exciting nature of the role.

Within a couple of months of starting at ASM, I was sent on a CAD course for a week, paid for in a hotel. This was way above and beyond what I expected. Had it not been for Covid-19, I am almost certain I would have had the chance to travel abroad. All the equipment I was given was high spec and I didn't feel like they were being frugal at any point.

It has been mentioned to me that there may be a role for me at ASM in the future. I really do believe this would be possible. Even though it is not the industry I saw myself going into, the nature of the work is extremely enjoyable and I would certainly consider a permanent role in the future if I was offered one.

We had a great cohort of students. Meeting them all outside of work hours was encouraged by my manager. I lived a little out of Weymouth so I was slightly isolated. Being able to drive really helped this, as it allowed me to visit fellow students regularly.

I have been used to living in London. My flat in Dorset had a sea view and was cheaper than my student halls in London. Coupled with the generous salary and relocation bonus at ASM, it was possible to save some money and also enjoy myself.

Weymouth is hardly Las Vegas but it does have a good amount of bars and things to do, and as a group of students, we made sure we tried as many as possible.

There were plenty of clubs organized by ASM, I took part in football and walking. There were many more to choose from. There are also lots of activities not organized by work, with amazing beaches, walks, watersports and climbing all within a few miles of the office.