Process Engineering IP Review

I worked on projects to install new equipment and processes. I wouldn't say there was a standard day to day routine and it could vary from day to day but my work involved working on validation documentation both preparing and executing the documents. I also ran meetings and worked with people within different departments and also with contractors via email and meetings. Another aspect I worked on was Process saftey aspects and working with engineering standards. I also wouldn't be stuck at my desk all day and would go out onto to site to work on the equipment.

During my placement I greatly developed my soft skills such as communication, teamwork and project management skills. Communication was developed through daily activities such as emails. The projects that I worked were in large teams so this really helped to develop my teamwork skills. I also managed an aspect of the projects myself which allowed me to develop my project management skills. I also developed my process engineering knowledge and how this is applied in the workplace.

The projects that my team had during my placement were large scale projects but within this I was able to take on the responsibility of smaller aspects of the projects. I gained more responsibilty throughout my placement which was valuable. an example is that I managed the documentation and I also managed engineering shutdwon works. I think it would of helped my development to have a project which was more responsibility but due to the projects available in my team this was more difficult.

Within my team I was assigned a Mentor and we had weekly meetings which was valuable to get any guidence that I needed. I also felt that I could talk to anyone on wy team if I needed additional support or help. I also signed up for the scheme that meant that I had a grad scheme member also as a mentor this was valuble as it meant that I had someone outside my team that I could go to for guidence and also for advice for grad schemes.

I would say that overall the company culture and general atmosphere is good. I would say my team and the wider team had a good atmosphere. I would also say that the whole site overall was very welcoming and was easy to become a part of. Despite this the atmosphere does vary in different teams across the site with some not adhering as much to the overall company culture which is frequently shared through communication channels.

Overall I enjoyed my placement and one of the major factors to this was the community of placement students on site. There was over 15 placement students on site and this meant there was people to talk to when I felt I wasn't enjoying the work itself as much. With regards to the work I would say I enjoyed it most of the time during the placement, one of the highlights was going on work trips in the UK to exectute the tests that I had helped prepare.

Yes

My advice would to research the company before going through the application process as it is really valuable to show that you are interested in the company, their values and what they do. My advice for the placement itself that it is important to prioritise your own development and remember that you are there to develop your own skills and not just do the work. I would also set this out to the manager so that you both understand this. My manager understood this but I felt other placement students struggled with this.