ITMB Placement Student - Marketing Department Review

I enjoyed every moment of the placement, everyone at SAS went out of their way to ensure the experience was as enjoyable as possible. I met some great people and I was very sad to leave at the end of the placement.

I felt like part of the team. I was included in many decisions and I felt like my input was always welcome. I was supported during training and whilst working on my project and I always knew who to talk to if I needed any help. We even had lunch with Mark Wilkinson, the Managing Director of SAS UK and Ireland.

I could not have asked for more support, everyone was very helpful. I had frequent meetings with my project leaders and with Human Resources to ensure I was happy. If I needed support or there was something preventing me from moving forward with my project there was always someone there to help.

I was kept busy at SAS but I was encouraged to manage my own time. During training in the first week the schedule was quite rigid, which can be expected when there is a training course to attend. During the second week the schedule was more relaxed during the SAS Professionals convention, where we were encouraged to network and attend the talks we were most interested in. For the remaining four weeks I was able to manage my time around any meetings or events I had been invited to.

I was given a lot of responsibility which was definitely a good thing. This also made me feel more valued within the team. I felt like a SAS employee rather than a placement student and I felt very privileged that SAS had put so much faith in me.

The skills I developed at SAS are invaluable, both the technical and the 'softer skills'. I attended a SAS Base Programmer course and SAS have since informed me that I can take the certification exam free of charge. SAS skills are high in demand so I know this will be something that will benefit me when applying for graduate positions. I gained an insight into what it's like working within a software company and improved my communication skills. I had the pleasure of working with some inspiring professionals who have gave me some great advice to help me to achieve my future aspirations.

There was a great atmosphere throughout SAS. The marketing department, where I was based, showed the Olympics on a large screen at the back of the office (subtitled with no sound) so naturally our conversations were often about that. I had some great discussions with some very interesting people and everyone was very approachable. There were also quiet periods when everyone was clearly busy, but the atmosphere was always pleasant.

Everything was very well organised and there was flexibility built into the schedule.

The Base Programmer course that I was able to attend is a course that SAS provides to it's employees and to any external groups such as SAS customers who would benefit from the training. It represents a real investment as the course is expensive. There are also costs associated with SAS certification that SAS have allowed me to take for free. As I've said previously the support available during the placement was exceptional.

I aim to apply for a graduate position with SAS. SAS is a growing company so I understand there are plenty of opportunities within SAS. SAS skills are also required by many other companies, so this placement has increased my opportunities.

I lived with the other placement students during the placement who were a great bunch. We played football twice a week with other employees on one of SAS's grass five-a-side pitches. We also played cricket on SAS's cricket pitch with other employees. We were taken out for some very nice meals by some of the SAS Academic and Human Resources team. Some evenings the other placement students and myself went to the gym or relaxed and watched a film.

Marlow is very expensive so we stayed in High Wycombe which is about a 25 minute drive from SAS. The accommodation in High Wycombe is cheap.

During the placement I went out once in Henley with two other placement students. Henley is a very nice setting near Marlow and is good for a relaxed night out. I was visiting friends in London most weekends during the placement so it's quite hard for me to comment.

We played football on one of SAS's grass five-a-side pitches twice a week which I personally really enjoyed as it was quite competitive. We played cricket against Henley Business School one evening. We were also taken out for a couple of meals and SAS had a garden party one Saturday which was so much fun. There were loads of activities such as 'Zorbing' and a football-kick speed test. Once we were exhausted from the activities there was plenty of barbecue food, ice-cream and Pimms for refreshment.