Operations Industrial Placement Review

Overall, it was a really well structured and enjoyable work placement.

I felt valued by colleagues. However it is important that you create and add value in the work that you do!

Lots of help and support available. You have a buddy (who is a graduate) and a mentor (a senior manager in the business). In addition there are always people on hand to give you assistance and guide you.

I was very busy on a daily basis, especially over the peak period (Christmas) and other busy periods. Easter, Valentines Day and Mothers Day.

Unprecedented responsibility given on the placement. This was one of the parts which I was most impressed with. Also responsibility given from an early stage which is was good too.

In my degree not a huge amount, but the skills which I acquired and developed will help me when I return on the graduate scheme and life in general.

A good atmosphere generally, but it depended what department you were in. However, everyone was cheerful and in some office lots of banter.

Mostly very well set up. But it would have been good to experience other facets of the business for a longer period of time. However, there is a solid framework in place for IP's and Graduates.

Not a huge amount of training or development. But on the graduate scheme training and development is significantly better than when you are an Industrial Placement.

Very appealing, I plan to return on the graduate scheme after I finish University and envisage my long term future at Gist. There are lots of sites across the UK and opportunities in Europe too which is good.

Not fantastic where I was based. However, social scene changes and is dependent on which site you are on. If you are at a site with more graduates or a student city then generally the social scene will be better.

Average, again this will depend on where you are based. However, there were quite a few bars near where I lived. Just not that many young people/ students.

Nightlife where I worked was deeply average. I would recommend doing research on your area beforehand so you know what to expect. However, people in the office were helpful when telling me about the little night life there was available.

This is very much down to the individual. The guys in the office do socialise outside of work and sometimes do activities (ie football/ bar crawls or just a night out). However, this would presumably change on a site basis.