Operations Intern Review

I had an excellent time. My manager was very interested in my work, I was given several projects adding value to the organisation. The in-house HR department organised several insights throughout the building for the first week, whereby I sat with different teams and got a broad insight into the business.

My Manager was very interested and receptive to my presence and work. Some of my other colleagues were less aware of what an internship was and what my role was. People directly impacted by my project were interested, receptive and valued my work.

I had regular 1:1s with my manager. Senior managers in the office took an interest, and took me out for coffee to discuss future career choices. The management were very interested in my progress.

Due to the nature of my project work, there were peaks and troughs in my work. Sometimes I would be waiting for statistics to arrive in order to complete data analysis, which meant there were quiet spells. This gave me the opportunity to seek out other work and opportunities - if you are driven to find work and add value this is perfect.

I was responsible for improving a process that produced a lot of complaints. This was enough responsibility to feel as though I was making a difference, and was perfectly suited to my 7 week internship.

I was awarded the Six Sigma Yellow Belt accreditation for process improvement. This is excellent to be able to demonstrate my ability to add value to an organisation. The analytical skills I developed through this process will be excellent for future workplace environments. Managing an independent project will be useful for managing competing deadlines in an academic environment.

The office was very busy but nice and friendly. Everybody was willing to help if you could, and if you asked them.

The organisation was excellent. Before my arrival I was emailed a schedule of 2 and 1/2 day tour of the office and various departments to introduce me into the company.

We had a 2 day training course for the Six Sigma Yellow Belt process improvement qualification. This was excellent and increased the value I could add to the organisation during my time there.

Very appealing - the culture and environment within the organisation is fantastic and very development focused.

Other interns and graduates were very interested in socialising - there were several dinner and drinks events. We put on a pub quiz to raise money for charity, which was attended by many graduates. Other colleagues not on the graduate scheme were less able to socialise, mainly because they had families or were busy in the evenings.

It was in the business area of Birmingham - reasonably priced. Cheaper than London but more expensive than the usual areas of Birmingham.

Good - lots of bars nearby.

You were actively encouraged to do charity work outside of work, as part of a competition between interns within the programme as to who could raise the most money for charity.