This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
I had a brilliant year, the average age of RMP is 27 years old (dragged up by a couple of 'maturer' chaps) meaning most hadn't long left uni or were still trying to hold onto their youth. Regular socials and plenty of wanna be 'lads' to keep you entertained.. Everyone in the business is ambitious, hard working and driven to succeed - RMP is a place of making things happen and as the business is still small you have exposure to everything going on... exciting!
There's no time to be labelled as anything other than a regular employee, from day one you are an integral part of the business and given plenty of responsibility and always asked for your opinion and thoughts on decisions being made which are valued and often implemented.
RMP is fantastic at gauging how people work best and facilitating that, you have to be prepared for change and for a fast passed environment but the support network is there. There are times where the office will be relatively empty with people at events/ meetings and you will need to be able to work on your own intuition. I had an eventful year with line managers leaving the business but always felt like I had someone to run things by if needed. At RMP feedback is regarded as a key part of everyones development and is therefore regularly asked for, you are encouraged to highlight if you need support or aren't getting enough.
You are as busy as you want to be, your core role will hold it's own responsibilities and workload but there is always plenty of things going on that you can offer assistance with or opt into. Being in a relatively seasonal role (clients campaigns run Sept - February) I had to make the most of these additional opportunities but was encouraged to do so. Being a small business with many clients you will be stretched at times, but with the support in place as mentioned above it's nothing to worry about.
I couldn't have asked for more, as mentioned my line manager left the business during my placement, I was given responsibility for over 280 client campaigns as well as playing a role in the production of the Top Undergraduate Employers Guide. I was also taken along to over 30 client meetings around the country and even got the opportunity to lead my own sales meeting!
Being given exposure to many aspects of the business and the strategy or products both short and long term I was able to see how much of the theory I had covered within my business degree is applied within a business. We were given training from external training provider on subjects like Sales, Management, dealing with change and conflict as well as building relationships. All of which will help me wherever I go in the future.
A great balance between everyones getting stuck into their work and having a laugh, You'll have to be tolerant of dodgy music tastes and the occasionally sales guy wearing their cycling lycra all day but generally a relaxed environment allowing you to get your head down and crack on if you need to.
The initial on boarding is very well thought out and you will have a well planned first few weeks, after this you are given your projects which you'll map out yourself (with the support of others if necessary). Again be prepared for change and the need for flexibility, but with regular 'catch ups' you will always have an idea of whats going on now and whats to come. If you don't just ask!
As mentioned I was given training from external training providers and I had regular mentoring sessions which focussed on different aspects of business acumen.
Company Parties/Events
Working from home
I was given the opportunity to continue within the business full time after my placement year and complete my degree through a distant learning model, with this in mind i'd have to so they are pretty appealing.
regular socials organised by different people within the business, occasional beers after work... it is what you make it
I lived in Essex and commuted in - trains were £3000 for the year which was much cheaper than living in London. You will certainty appreciate the £1.50 drinks you were having at uni but coming to work in the capital you would have to be very naive not to expect things to be expensive.
Can't say I ever went out in Vauxhall nor would I ever want to but the bars around are nice and being on the themes there's always a quirky boat bar you can have a beer on. With London on your door step there's plenty of places to go out for some beers and a night out... the free Friday beer at the office helps.
Plenty of attempts to organise things that didn't always but the opportunity to do stuff was always there. Socials and beers were a regular
Placement Year (10 Months+)
Administration/Secretarial
Central London and City
September 2014