Commercial Analyst Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my year long placement with National Grid, it was much better than my expectations. They have a lot to offer to students, and the job roles are challenging but extremely interesting.

After a couple of months of settling into the team, you begin to realise how valued you are, and this grows throughout. They are a great company for recognising its employees and this even includes placement students, with reward schemes such as 'Appreciate' which is where you can receive vouchers etc for great work!

From the first day right through to the end, I always had a manager and business coordinator who was pro-active in booking development discussions/catch up's etc. They were very supportive throughout my whole time there, and this definitely pays off giving you more confidence as you progress through the placement. There is a whole range of matrix's/objectives that your manager monitors to ensure you have sufficient support, and if you feel you aren't been supported then there is plenty of people to turn to.

On a day to day basis, the balance fluctuated during the year so there was times where we were extremely busy due to business requirements, and this meant a few late nights but it doesn't go unrecognised. However for the vast majority of my placement the balance was great and I was always working on a couple of projects at a time keeping me busy. Time soon flies when you are busy!

Responsibility at National Grid grows as you continue to deliver, as you begin to complete tasks to a good level, management will recognise this and therefore then increase responsibility on the next task etc. Then once you are settled in and a few months into the responsibilty will be at the same level as other employees, and yes you will be responsible for some quite important stuff. But it is a great feeling to feel responsible for some important stuff.

Skills developed and gained throughout will help me a lot as I continue to develop, as you complete some very benefical courses on offer from the academy. I was lucky enough to also work on my final year dissertation project in the final few months at my time at National Grid as they provided lots of valuable information to support me.

It is a really good vibrant atmosphere with a lot going on, also have a hot desk policy so nobody has a designated desk all the time people are free to move around desks in your departments area. This allows you to get to know other colleagues in the team. Also to relax the atmosphere there is some good leisure facilities too such as a table tennis table, gym.

It was well set up with people welcoming me on the first day, however due to business changes to overall organisation dipped a bit in the middle. Once this was all resolved, it carried on being a well organised scheme.

The company heavily invest in the students on this scheme.

By the end of the industrial placement scheme, you will know whether or not you are accepted on the graduate scheme, which is the next development scheme.

Very good social scene with work, lots of sport activities such as 5 a side teams, squash clubs etc. As well as this many teams go out for regular meals/drinks at weekends and all know each other very well.

Cost in Leamington Spa was average, areas were expensive but luckily we managed to find a well priced accomodation.

A good student nightlife with Warwick and Coventry university students living in the area.

Many activities such as a sailing weekend with work colleagues, also the opportunity to get to know lots of other new starters (Newnet)