Programme Co-ordinator Review

You don't get treated like an intern. After you have settled in, which is helped by the previous intern training and guiding you for 4 weeks, you get involved straight away. There are always opportunities to work in areas you express interest in which keeps motivation to learn high. Bracknell HP is the UK's HQ and for such a large office the people that work there are all very friendly and happy to help. The canteen and new customer facing facilities also gives you a sense of pride to work there as it looks very smart and uplifting. On top of this the social side of working at HP is brilliant. We have a committee elected by the interns themselves who organise nights out into Reading and London and trips to wherever requested. There are around 50 interns at the Bracknell office so lots of people to talk to who are experiencing the same thing.

Once you make an effort to find out who makes up your team and introduce yourself it is fine. Furthermore when you get to work on projects with particualr members you build up a better bond and then it is much easier to communicate. Most teams treat their interns like graduates which makes you feel more respected.

Managers are very busy as expected so if you don't understand something you need to speak up and ask. But once you do they realise this is all new to you and have no qualms in explaining what is required from you.

Work load can vary for my role, as I work on particular accounts or projects. However you can take on more work during periods where your free or use the time to train and learn of other processes within HP. Other weeks you’re very busy and the working days fly by.

Responsibility is given from the off. Your expected to take accountability of your actions in the knowledge that there are people around you to help if needed. This balance of responsibility and support helps you grow and become more confident.

Has been a great experience all round. In the areas which don't appear to be relevant I learnt whether I enjoyed doing those particular tasks or not. This year will guide me onto the career path I will enjoy most by taking into account the times i flourished and enjoyed compared to the things I didn’t always enjoy. Pretty much all the skills I learnt are transferrable such as attention to detail and communicating in teams.

Lot's of people around to talk to and social areas to sit down and grab a drink.

When you arrive the previous intern still has 4 weeks or so on their contract. This makes settling in so much easier as you have time to ask lots of questions to someone who knows what it is like. They can also introduce you to all the contacts they have built up during their time. Managers are good at accommodating your placement officers from your University as well and giving feedback.

There are mandatory training programmes you have to do but also optional ones you can do at your own pace. My manager is also interested in personal goals and often asks what areas I want to experince so I become more employable after parting with the company or for when I come back as a graduate.

From speaking to the current graduates working here, it sounds very appealing. There is a good grad scheme and the salary from looking around is very attractive.

The social side of an internship at HP is possibly one of the best features. There are around 50 interns in the Bracknell office and more in Bristol and London. The social committee always have things going on an example being on my birthday night out they organised a great night on a small budget. We constantly work to achieve a target for charity and you get to know your fellow interns very well and make some lifelong friends.

All interns working in Bracknell tend to live in the Reading area as it is only a 15 minute commute and is a lot more going on there. Rent is around £250 - £300 a month which is fairly reasonable. Reading is a big town and a University town as well. So there are plenty of familier looking students around and shopping at the Oracle is decent also. Furthermore London is less that 30 minutes away so after pay day it is an attractive prospect!

It's no Bournemouth! But Reading is a great night you have Vodka Rev's there which is fairly big and a load more clubs and bars. Q bar and Sukura are popular as well. It also has a Yates' and Walkabout, Spoons etc. Plenty of places to enjoy a beer in.

Yes lots, from the 3 peaks challenge to skydiving there is loads of things to get involved in with other interns. There is also a HP football team which everyone can play in. 5 a side tournaments etc.