Technical Quality placement student Review

The work didn't really exist when I started, my manager didn't seem to have got anything ready and had to invent it. This resulted in me taking on board work from another department, which they seemed confused about (as was I). In terms of work I have actually done for my department, there is one regular job I do for my department, which entails one 1 hour meeting a week, which requires perhaps an hour of prep and an hour of post meeting write up and work. The only other work which comes from my department has been intermittent, an auditing task which has taken place 3 times in my year here. Neither of these required any real engineering understanding and were more project managing tasks.

Although everyone who works here is very friendly, the lack of defined work I have been given means no one really notices anything I am doing. Some people here have expressed their suprise that my department has need for a placement student at all.

My manager is a friendly person and has always been happy to meet and discuss things. His ability to act on what I might tell him seems to be limited however. He seemed more keen to try and persuade me that I liked my job, despite me making it clear I was very unhappy.

Very low work load, very bored a lot of the time. In a big company like this many things take a long time to tick over and happen, but if you only have a few things to do these things get tied up and you are left unable to do any more.

I was responsible for one of the key functions of my department for new engine development. This process, while important for the department, I felt was seen with some distaste by others, and following the company process made me feel like a burden to them from day one.

It is interesting to see the workings of a very large corporate company such as this one. I have seen some processes which happen much higher up the corporate chain rather than on the 'front line' of engineering. However, as someone who has studied and is interested in engineering this knowledge does not provide much for me to take back to my degree. There are some more general things like e-mail etiquette and dealing with outside suppliers which would be useful in almost any role.

Quiet, good to work in, people in general are chatty and friendly. Things like birthday cakes in for birthdays are very common which is nice. Company has very strict rules around people being happy in the work place so there certainly isn't any sexism/racism etc. Things like that would be quickly dealt with.

In my particular case, not well at all. There was no work ready for me to do, my managers responsibilities were mainly things I am unable to help with because he has had 10 years of training to become as qualified as he is.

Did a lot of training, had some visits from in company experts on various topics which were interesting.

I don't think I'd want to live in this area in any role at this site, so no I do not want to return to Daventry / Northamptonshire any time soon. I would not mind working for Cummins but in some other role at another site.

Some people very keen to party but most more up for a few quiet drinks more than the big nights out. Daventry has an absolutely terrible social scene and the locals can be quite blunt about the fact you're not one of them. There is one night club which is at best half full. The Snooker club is much more friendly, I would reccomend it for a quieter night out.

Rent is cheaper than most student areas, but similar to selly oak. We had a very nice 3 bed semi with a big garden for £650 a month between thtree of us. Petrol seems to be more expensive than hertfordshire......make of that what you will. Ther'es a whetherspoons which has the usual selection of cheap food and drink, big tesco, fair sized Aldi.

Never really had a good night out in Daventry, gave up trying. A LOT of locals most of which aren't very friendly. Rugby is a lot better but is a £30 odd taxi ride away.

Bike rides, camping, motorbiking trips, day trips to london, lots of things organised by various people in the company. All very open and friendly