Analyst Review

by Unilever

Best Student Employer

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

3.5/5
  • The Role
    3.7
  • The Company
    3.3
  • The Culture
    3.5

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
  • Coming from a technical background I really enjoyed having the chance to see the bigger picture regarding delivery of technological solutions in a large company.

    4/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
  • Everyone in the work place was really supportive. I was worried that being a student I might be treated differently, but many people were unaware that I was even on a placement and just treated me like any other employee. When I had suggestions or points to raise they were always taken into consideration.

    4/5

  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
  • My boss was absolutely brilliant. From day one I had a detailed work plan of objectives that I was to aim towards and timescales to achieve them in. I was not micro managed, so I was free to arrange meetings and guide these objectives in the way I saw fit, but my line manager was always available on the end of the phone (even on his days off) or in person if I ever needed any advice. This approach means that I really learnt from the actions I was taking and could identify the best way to move projects forward in the work place. This meant that when projects were achieved that I felt really rewarded as I knew it had been my input that had ensured their success.

    4/5

  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
  • Some days I dictated my own workload and could do as much as I chose. Other days I would have a day full of meetings, with a risks and issues log to update at the end of the day (hectic!).

    4/5

  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
  • I was solely responsible for the tasks that I was delivering, although I was of course accountable to my line manager for them.

    3/5

  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • Before this role I was entirely technically orientated. The project management, inter-person network building and global ways of working that I learnt from working at this company will be key skills that I will use in my career and in other activities for life.

    4/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
  • Great balance between friendly fun banter and getting work done. There was a lot of interesting characters around! Unilever has a great work ethic which really suited me. There were no "scary" directors and everyone was really approachable.

    4/5

  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
  • On the day I arrived I had all the necessary inductions, user accounts were already set up for me and there was a member of the graduate scheme at the location I was working who was really helpful and could provide advice and guidance outside of my immediate team.

    3/5

  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • In terms of personal development I took a lot away from the placement from learning on the job. In terms of a structured training programme, placement students in Unilever are contractors and not permanent employees. As a result of this I had no access to any of Unilever's internal training courses or online training facilities. Having said this, if I ever needed further information on any subjects I was not sure about I could always speak to knowledgeable colleagues about matters such as ITIL, project management, company organisation etc. but there were no formal training courses in place for placement students.

    3/5

  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
  • Subsidised Canteen

    Company Parties/Events

    Staff Sales/Staff Shop

    Above 25 days holiday

    4/5

  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
  • Unilever has an appealing future leaders programme consisting of a 2/3 year scheme with a change in role every 6 months. One role will be overseas and one role will be out of function. Placement students that have performed well are often given consideration for entry into the scheme.

    4/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
  • There was a brilliant all expenses paid winter function, and many nights out were organised in the lovely Chester area.

    4/5

  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
  • found a great flat less than 5 miles away from work, and secured it for a bargain rate.

    4/5

  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
  • The office was only a few miles from Chester, a lovely city with plenty of clubs and shops and many people choose to live here when they are on placement. I chose to live nearer work because it was cheaper and more convenient.

    4/5

  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
  • There were some extra curricular activities arranged around the office such as 10k runs, climbing Mount Snowdon.

    3/5

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Details

Consumer Products/FMCG

North West

May 2013


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