Geographical Business Analyst Review

A great environment to work in with an amazing team that continued to pushed me throughout my placement experience. My role came with a fair amount of responsibility - a good mix between testing my abilities without throwing me in the deep end. The intern community is great and I found a good mix between work/life balance.... a high level of work expected from me but flexible working allowed and socials every Thursday night - always fun.

My team was welcoming from the start, were always there to answer any questions I had or help me with a difficult task, but also leave me to my own devices where I felt comfortable. It was clear how the work I completed was used throughout the company and so the importance of it, which was a great motivator. We had lots of 'team bonding' days where we got out the office to get to know each other some more e.g. cocktail making, as well as to celebrate birthdays etc.

I received great support from both my manager and on the job coach throughout the entirety of my placement. Regular meetings, lots of training and check ins if new processes ever were introduced meant I never felt totally in the dark. They were always happy to join meetings or for me to add them in emails if I ever felt I needed support, but were also happy and had confidence in me to complete tasks myself.

This fluctuated quite a lot depending on where we were in the quarter. At points I was extremely busy, at others I had time to spare. Something I particularly liked about Intel and my team in particular, was when I was too busy they all genuinely wanted to help out where they could (both short-term and long-term). If I was too quiet (which in my role was very rare), they were plenty of projects I could go out and find myself or committees I could join.

Much more than I expected! To start with this definitely scared me, would I be able to cope with it all? But after settling into the role and seeing the amount of support I had around me I saw it 100% as a benefit. It tested my abilities, helped me develop new skills and made sure there was never a dull day. I was also never left 'alone' to answer up to anything if it went completely wrong... of course I had to take responsibility for my actions but someone was always around to help.

The skills I have learnt and developed will be beneficial in my final year but I believe even more so when I go out looking for a graduate job. It was great to get an insight into 'adult life' and a better sense for my strengths and weaknesses. The training was also great, in particular those focused around presenting - plenty of uni modules have a presenting aspect to them as well as it being a requirement in many jobs.

Again I'd say a good mix between an environment that allows all to work hard, but also take a break when needed. Plenty of spaces to relax a little - including a games room and massage chair, as well as spaces to host meetings to allow individuals to get away from their desks (canteen, kitchen, meeting rooms etc). Sit in the office around your team allowing little coffee breaks but also collaboration - also plenty of treats brought in which is always nice.

Generally pretty well organised. A training timetable for your first month or so, allowing time with the intern that has been doing your role for the previous year as a handover period to help get you all trained up. Regular meetings with your manager/on the job coach during and after this as a regular point of contact to ask any questions or raise any issues. Also you receive a 'handover document' as a standard, tailored to your role as another point of reference.

A great deal, lots of training and development opportunities - the same as all full time employees. Also opportunities to provide feedback on any trainings that currently aren't on offer but you feel may be beneficial. They want you to succeed and so are happy to help out within reason, there is a learning culture within the company and so employees are actively encourage to go out and learn new things that may not be part of their day to day job.

A good amount of interns on site - a sports and social committee within the interns that organised socials most thursday nights (lots of hungover fridays in the office). A load of events during handover period e.g. beach party/handover ball (which incl. awards e.g. best banter) and then events continued throughout the year e.g. going out for lunch/dinner, cinema visits, drinklympics, secret santa, fancy dress night outs etc etc. Suggestions were always welcome, they even put on a weekend away.

The interns tend to make the nightlife - particularly on a Thursday night. Some good enough clubs/pubs/bars which are great when the whole office is out - also some company nights out to neighboring cities e.g. bath. You kind of just have to accept Swindon for what it is and then make the fun yourself. I personally never found it to be an issue because there is such a great intern community and with Bath/Bristol being relatively close.

Loads of different committees to join through intel and opportunities to get cheaper tickets to events (e.g. wine tasting/festivals) as well as sports clubs not linked to intel e.g. hockey/football, a climbing center etc. Also good links to Bristol/Bath so opportunity to travel a little further if there isn't a club in Swindon that you fancy.