Agricultural Placement Student Review

My work placement for 12 months was phenomenal in terms of future prosepcts, networking and development of knowledge and understanding.

Within my working team I was contributing with good feedback from managera, but within the wider commercial team it was sometimes difficult to integrate.

The geographic vastness of the role meant that contact with line manager was sometimes distant. However Monday catch-ups were a great way of getting round this. In general my manager showed guidance, but what was most useful was his mentorship in my personal development.

Busyness peaks and troughs were the nature of the role because core to the role was networking and a fair amount of travel. However ongoing project-work ensured I had something to do always.

I contributed to major work with suppliers and developed ways of operating with them, this was delegated to me through my manager but essentially had free-reign within the scope of my brief.

The access to industry through the way the business works with ket stakeholders or industry organisations has allowed me a better appreciation of structure of the food/farming industry, it's major opportunities and challenges going forward.

It could be quite rowdy and I'd often prefer to work at home.

It was the first year that the area of the business I worked in had a placement student. Therefore it was a learning experience for all concerned. The Directors PA and my line manager shaped my role as we went forward. Overall once I settled the experience was postive.

I attended development days which were quite limited. However at a departmental level the knowledge and experience I gained from working with experienced managers and long term business partners was invaluable, which came at an inherent cost. I felt the investment in me had return for the business in terms of achieving strategic aims within agriculture. This contributed hugely to my development.

I think the graduate scheme will offer a potential opportunity worth investing in, in the future. The livestock businesses that supply have offered me work both before returning to university and in the future thereafter.

I had breakfast catchups, after work drinks and kept in touch with other placement students. There was a fair amount of hospitality involved with my role which had as much social as business which was conducive to good working relationships.

I lived with my long term girlfriend but generally speaking all rent around London is eye-watering.

I lived in commuter town and so had good access to London, so anything and everything is accessible.

Yes but the unstructured week to week work style proved commitment to extra curricular difficult.