Commercial Marketing Specialist Review

I really enjoyed the placement overall. I felt like an integral part of the team and was given real responsibilities with an expectation to deliver results. It did not feel like "just an internship" but a real full-time job. The support of my team, managers and even others within the HP organisation is commendable. There were days were certain jobs and processes got tedious, but as with any job those days exist and overall I thoroughly enjoyed the placement.

I really felt like a member of the team and not "just an intern". For example recently I went on holiday and my manager said to me "I wish you'd been here to support me with..." As a team I feel like my team appreciate the work that I do, and also trust me enough to allow me to manage projects.

Management and supervisors have always been very helpful where they can be. Understandably they have a heavy workload however they always made time for me regardless.

Generally speaking I am busy on a daily basis. Occasionally I do sometimes feel overwhelmed by the workload and end up working overtime to compensate. That, however, could be down to my time management skills. As I work under 4 different managers sometimes they are not aligned on what work they were giving me, hence I had more on my plate than I bargained for.

A lot of responsibility similar to someone permanently working in the business. I have been trusted so completely plan and run projects from start to finish, such as events. Or being briefed from a central level and trusted to execute the campaign

From time management, organisation and communication I have developed skills I would never have gained from just finishing my degree at university. Being entrusted to manage my own workload without a manager checking my progress is liberating, as much as it teaches you to manage expectations and deliver on time. To my degree it will help me to manage my workload, and has helped me to adopt a 9 - 5 work life, and also proved that it is possible! I can transfer ethos to my final year, and treat it like a full time job. Beyond it gives me a real sense of how the world of work works. Approaching different colleagues and external businesses will come more naturally to me now, whereas prior to the placement I would have been quite reluctant/nervous.

Overall it was a good atmosphere in the office. Fridays could be a bit quiet as most people worked from home however as I worked with 2 other interns in my team. My immediate team though only tended to come into the office 2 - 3 times a week hence there could be a lack of team spirit.

It was organised well and I don't really have any complaints.

The company did not send me on any external courses, only training sessions which were part of my everyday job.

I would definitely return to HP if a job was offered to me. I enjoyed the working environment, culture and also the job. The best thing though were the people, as everyone is so supportive and helpful.

There is a very large group - around 70 of us - of interns. We all lived relatively local to each other and there are a few main streets were interns are located. There were plenty of social events and nights out, as well as trips organised.

Being close to London, naturally, rent is not the cheapest. Prices for rent are around £335 - £400 per month. Socialising and night clubs isn't cheap, but isn't too expensive either. Middle of the road prices.

Nightlife was not bad, the main activities were night clubs and restaurants. Not that many choices in bars for those who prefer a more chilled night.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved wtih charity events - such as Three Peaks Challenge, Palace to Palace (cycling), charity fun days, walks, marathons, etc. Past that I'm not sure.