Human Resources Undergraduate Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my work placement with Pendragon, it has given me the opportunity to be exposed to a fast paced environment where I can experience and interact with a variety of different business areas and develop and apply the skills and knowledge gained at university.

I developed good working relationships and felt valued by the people I worked with. I was always kept involved with the projects I was working on and my opinion was always valued. It felt like I was a member of the team rather than just the undergraduate.

Thoughout the placement process I was given a good level of support by the Talent Team whom conducted quarterly reviews and were accessable if we ever had any troubles/ worries. Within the department in which I worked I was assigned a Team Leader; I was scheduled fortnightly meetings and offered help with my university work, however at times due to my Team Leaders high workload the meetings were cancelled, which could leave upto a month between reviews. There was however always someone around for help if it was required.

When I was in the middle of a large project there would be days in which I was extremely busy and there would be a steady workflow that I could indepentantly undertake, this I found very enjoyable. At times there would be a list of tasks written up for me to deal with, however often I would work quicker than expected and be left with little or no work to do. Resulting in waiting for work and being given small tasks that at times would feel irrelevant to the work that I had been completing.

I was given a large amount of responsibility and would undertake a huge variety of different activities working within different areas in my department. I would be given the initial information required to complete the task, then would be left to complete the work independently but with help there if I ever required it.

During my placement year, I had university work that I needed to complete, I applied and wrote about the skills I developed within my different assignments. I also applied theory based learnign to any activities and projects that I was exposed to. The placement year will be used during my final year at university as I can apply real business examples to the work I need to complete. The skills I have developed will also be put to great use in my future career.

There was always a good atmosphere in my office, it was really positive and everyone was very friendly. There was a large amount of involvement and celebration for different events throughout the year, there was never any feeling of isolation or exclusion. There were monthly dress down days to raise money for charity, and a full charity day that hosted a variety of activities for everyone to get involved with with all the money rasied going to Pendragon's chosen charity, Hope For Tomorrow.

The placement scheme was very well organised, from my initial application the process felt very professional. I was invited to complete a video interview then an assessment centre. On my first day I took part in an induction day with the Talent Team and the other undergraduates where we completed a selection of activities and met a selection of the Team Leaders we would be working with. I was given reviews with the Talent Team that would determine how I was developing and help with any changes that needed to be made. However it felt that although the Talent Team had created a very well structured programme the Leaders perhaps needed to put together more of a plan for the work that I would be completing throughout the year, rather than simply passing over work as and when it came in.

I was given a great deal of exposure to different activities and had time invested in me to develop different skills along the way. I attended a selection of days, such as a Thinkubator event at Nottingham Trent University which helped me to develop my business enterprise skills. I was also given the opportunity to mentor students from a local college to help with there university applications, CV writing and other activities.

There is currently a seperate dealership graduate scheme that I could apply to, they are also looking to potentilly develop a corporate graduate scheme. There is however the potential to return after my placement and fill a full time position within the departments I worked in.

There were around 10 undergraduates on placement at the same time as myself. We would be involved in a selection of activities together. We had the opportuniuty to socialise and meet up for food/ drinks on an evening due to all living surrounding Nottingham City Centre.

Cost of living isn't too expensive in the area, its very similar to the rest of the country. Going out in the city centre isn't too expensive as the shops, bars and restaurants offer student deals in the week and often at weekends.

There is a large variety of nightlife in Nottingham city centre but not necessarily around the business park where Pendragon was based. It ranges from bars to pubs and clubs. There really is something for everyone. Its just a case of exploring what the city has to offer and finding what you enjoy.

There were activities that were organised by the undergraduates for us all to get together. There was also sometimes different events held by the different departments.