Placement Student Review

There was a period where I had to take on some day to day roles which was not what I wanted to do or what I was interested - but it was really good experience giving me more drive to perform as I went back onto project work. It also gave me great experience hands on so that I could contribute my own ideas to discussions.

I was treated like a professional employee and was expected to perform like one. Not all my work progressed but most of it did and is being used by others currently. It feels great that I have contributed to real work which is appreciated by colleagues

At the start of my placement I shadowed a consultant for a few months. This gave me an excellent grounding and put me into a position where I understood what was going on around me and how to contribute. After he left, I realised just how busy my line manager was because it could be very difficult to get 5 minutes for advice and guidance. You do need to realise, however, that it is up to you use your own initiative or seek guidance from elsewhere and not necessarily your manager. When I needed it the support was there. This mixture for me was great because I quickly learned to think for myself.

Mostly, I had only a few tasks for my projects. However, if you don't throw yourself into the experience and find or generate useful tasks then you won't learn much at all. I found that the best way to learn was to go and see or do something, so became fairly busy.

I was responsible for monitoring and delivering a lot of critical projects. Whilst I was being advised I was generally free to do as I pleased. Obviously if you get it wrong then you lose credibility so it is important you listen to advice and suggestions whilst going about your work as you see fit.

I have no doubt in my ability to work in industry anymore. I also have more interest in University work and have my own experiences to draw upon.

It depends on the time of year - if work is slipping or not. Generally, it was fun but there were periods where I worked overtime with everyone where the pressure on the business was on and things were not much fun. You laugh about it afterwards and everyone was rewarded with a good night out where you can make up for all the hard work!

This was the first time the business unit I was placed in had handled a full year placement. As a result I had to pursue a lot of my training and development myself. This was also because I worked in an alliance where half the staff belonged to a different company. I managed to organise a placement with a National Grid office where I received endless offers for training and development.

I was invested in by a mixture of two companies in the alliance and I felt that I received a lot of time from everyone.

Having received an offer for the grad scheme my employment prospects look pretty good!

You had to be placed on a business unit where other students are placed. I was placed based on my requests of location. Therefore I was the only student. I took a short placement where there were other students and I had a great time.

It was relatively cheap in greater Manchester and Lancashire but I usually went into Manchester to visit my friends so it was expensive as it ever was. Except I had money!

It was pretty good albeit not too much variety. You are only 20 mins drive from Manchester though.

Loads of staff played different sports or were members of clubs and went on excursions.