Informations Systems Placement Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement. I worked with a variety of people on different tasks and learnt a lot about Information Systems and Business Change. I enjoyed my placement because I was doing a job I enjoyed and was learning a lot about a new area, as well as getting the necessary exposure to build a network of contacts.

The work I produced throughout my placement is being utilised within the business and as a result I have felt valued by my colleagues who approach me for my work, and tell me that I did a good job.

I had regular catch ups with my manager and any issues I had with my work were discussed and resolved quickly and effectively. I was assigned work and supported every step of the way.

The amount of work I had varied day to day but in general I always had a sufficient amount of work to get on with. There were times that I did not have a lot of work to do but this was supplemented when I asked for more work to do, and as a result I was put onto more projects to fill my time.

I was given a solo task to do, and this was a huge responsibility! As a new starter not knowing much about the area I was working in, I learnt a great deal and was trusted to take the lead and deliver on a project alone.

I was fortunate enough to attend an SQL training course, which shows just how much M&G values its staff, and am grateful for the skill, As a Business and Management student my experience in Information Systems and Business Change was less than minimal, and as I have worked in these areas for the past year I am keen to continue in this area in my future career. Working at M&G has equipped me with the skills necessary to link my business theory knowledge to the IS and BC world in a unique and beneficial way- Technology is the way forward!

The general atmosphere at M&G is very positive. People at M&G are friendly and easy to get along with and people are generally very happy in their roles. The majority of people are willing to help others and as a federated and devolved structure operates within the business there is little room for selfishness and negativity- everyone wants to do well, and see the business succeed, and this mentality allows the atmosphere at M&G to be very positive and a really nice place to work.

During the first month of placement, new starters were provided with extensive sessions that introduced the business to the students. On top of this, we enjoyed numerous Lunch and Learn sessions (The food was amazing!) and in the longer term we had regular appraisals where we would be able to discuss our progress with HR based on manager feedback. In terms of the structure of the placement set up, it was well set up as once sufficient introduction was achieved we went straight into a role and felt like normal staff (I still sometimes forget that I'm on placement and not on a job!) One negative point I could mention however is that the IS and BC placements did not involve any rotations and this may have been beneficial for students to learn more about the different areas they could work in and in order to gain more exposure to more roles and people.

The company invested in me by sending me on an SQL training course. We also got to attend the legendary summer party free of charge and before joining the company I had a lovely introduction by attending the RHS Chelsea Flower Show that is annually sponsored by M&G. The company provided us with the same benefits as normal staff in regard to facilities, as we had the same access and working environments as regular staff and due to these reasons I feel heavily invested in by the company.

Hard to say at the moment but hoping for the best! M&G takes on a number of interns and as a result competition is steep, but in general M&G seems keen to retain employees and as they care about staff I am hoping I have a future with them.

Definitely. During the introductory phase we were treated to movie nights, summer parties, ping pong nights in Holborn, and numerous drinks after works. M&G encourages social interaction and colleagues become friends very easily.

This is London so pretty much everything is expensive. The area we work in is fairly expensive but M&G pays a generous amount to interns and I'd say that the cost of living and socialising is manageable for most people.

I'm not much of a night owl! But from what I've heard the night life is amazing as people regularly go out for drinks after work and support each other by going out when someone is promoted, leaving an area or even leaving the company.

There are many sports and social activities .available to staff, for example runners get involved in marathons together, weekly dodge ball, cricket in the park, the list goes on!