Management Trainee Review

I enjoyed this placement! It was very challenging, I know I have developed as a person and I'm amazed how far I have come in 12 months. It gave me a massive confidence boost - but be prepared for the hard work and long hours!

On my placement I moved locations. I was initially based at Cannock and then later moved to Lichfield. This is something they like to do at Enterprise Rent-A-Car to give you different experiences of managers, teams, customers, business type etc. I felt valued at my initial Cannock location but the relationships between the team were very professional. When I moved to Lichfield the team had more of a 'family' feel and it made our team work much more successful as we were friends rather than colleagues.

Again this varied at locations. At Cannock I was given tips through-out the day if my manager noticed I could be doing something better and I had a review once a month which is company policy where we would discuss last months performance and what could be improved for next month. At Lichfield I received the same standard of guidance but was given much more support. If I found anything difficult I could approach my manager straight away who always knew how to help me. I believe he offered me much more support because as mentioned previously, we were more like friends.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is a very busy fast pace environment! You are given lots and lots of responsibility but not a lot of time to do it all! There is only a team of 4 of you (and a lot of the time 3 due to holiday etc) to run the whole branch! This includes doing your own marketing and debt collection - which a lot of other companies have an entire department for. You won't find yourself being bored and the days go quick but you may be a little stressed! Enterprise also seems to allow their customers to appear when they like (regardless of opening hours) which I always found bizarre! Opening hours were 8-6 but you'd always arrive slightly before and stay slightly after. If you got there at half 7 and a customer was outside you were expected to serve them, even though nothing was set up or planned out which would muddle your head and day. Also, if a customer couldn't make it to you until about quarter past 6 you would be expected to stay. I've NEVER known this at any other company as an employee or customer!

One of the best things about Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the level of responsibility you are given. If you want to spend 12 months learning how to run your business this is the placement for you! You will be given responsibility in ALL areas of the business and expected to perform. If you shy away from responsibility then you will struggle! The amount of responsibility I received really developed me as a person and an employee.

I don't believe any of the skills I learnt at Enterprise Rent-A-car will assist with my studies because it was so hands on and Uni isn't - however, it has assisted me incredibly beyond my studies and I believe I am now a more much employable person because of my experiences.

Again this differed between branches. We still had fun at the Cannock branch, but we took things much more seriously and knew we were there to run a business. Lichfield was always great fun so it really is the luck of the draw! Luckily though, if you don't like where you are, there's a very big you'll move to another branch at some point

It was very well set up. You are treated no differently to any other full time member of staff. However - this could occasionally be a downfall as you uni work wasn't taken into consideration that you would need time to complete!

Enterprise Rent-A-Car heavily invest in their employees because they promote from within, therefore it's in their best interest. Even as an intern they invested in me and offered me bonuses and training on their MQI scheme. The MQI is 3 folders which you complete to demonstrate you have met certain criteria which develops you in all areas of the business.

I know a lot people who have returned to Enterprise Rent-A-Car from placements and it is something they widely offer - however it was not a choice I made myself as my career goal is not to work with rental/retail.

I had a very good relationship with fellow placement students because one of them also came from my University! You will always be aware who is an intern so you can relate to each other and this creates a good social scene.

I only worked 15 miles away from my parents home so I could stay with them for the 12 months I was on placement which meant I didn't have to spend any money on rent - massive bonus! Enterprise Rent-A-Car will always cater to put you near to your required destination.

It was okay - just a small town! Most of the corporate events were held in Birmingham and were a lot of fun!

There were lots of opportunities such as meals, charity work, area nights out, Christmas parties, summer parties...and they were usually all paid for!