Year in Industry Student Review

by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)

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

Rating

3.1/5
  • The Role
    2.8
  • The Company
    3.3
  • The Culture
    3.4

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

    • There were periods during my placement where work for me was thin on the ground. However, when I was given work and things to do the work was interesting and very often enjoyable. My placement also offered some very unique experiences that few would get to do.

    3/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • The team I worked with were very welcoming when I first came and easy to get on with. I quickly felt part of the team and it was a great placement because of this.

    4/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • Whenever I needed support my manager/supervisor would always put time aside to help me. He was also very supportive of my interests.

    4/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • There were often times where I had no work to do.

    2/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • Some of the work I did had a direct impact on my team and the organisation so the responsibility was quite high, but a lot of my work didn't have a huge impact and therefore didn't carry with it much responsibility.

    2/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • I have definitely become more organised, but that's about all I could say right now as I have only just finished my placement.

    3/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • There was a good balance. There was definitely banter present, but people were able to get work done.

    4/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • Because of a mix up at the start of my placement, it wasn't particularly well organised. Hence why I was often left without work to do.

    1/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • Training is a big part of Dstl and I was able to take full advantage of all training available even though I was only there for a year.

    5/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • Flexi Time

    Sports and Social Club

    Above 25 days holiday

    Working from home
    3/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • I have just been offered sponsorship through university, and they have a very good graduate scheme from what I have heard.

    4/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

    • We all lived together on site. But unfortunately it was a bit of a way from town so we didn't get out much.

    3/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • Living; not so bad. Socialising; atrocious. It was easily £50 to get to the local town and back again and buy enough drinks to keep everyone happy.

    3/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • Provided you picked the right night, it was good fun. Quite expensive though.

    4/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • This is an area that Dstl do very well. There were a huge variety of extracurricular activities available from regattas to ski trips.

    5/5
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Details

Placement (10 Months+)

South West

September 2013

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