Development engineer Review

I enjoyed my time working there. I felt that an effort was made to make interns feel included. Small details made a big difference such as uniform being provided so you fit in with everyone else and attending meetings so felt you were just as valued as other staff members.

I felt a high level of trust from my colleagues. It made me feel very valued. The scope of work I was given was quite technical such as lab testing which must mean they had faith in my ability. Also if a result of a test wasnt as predicted there was no "the intern must have done the test wrong". It felt good that my ability was trusted.

My main supervisor was very helpful and clear in setting out tasks to do and made sure to make the work I was doing as valuable and as interesting as possible. The only issue was him leaving on paternity for two weeks. This was just unlucky timing for me as it lead to a period without with him. Other members of staff were very helpful in his absence however.

When working on one of the new products there was a large amount of lab testing required. This meant that there was plety of work available for me to do. Me tackling the lab work meant that othere members of staff were able to work on other tasks. A large amount of lab testing meant that always had work to do and wasnt bored or waiting around.

I felt I was given a really large amount of responsibility on my placement. The products I was testing were to be used in the oil industry and were very safety critical. Being given the trust to perform a test and my data being used meant that i would partly be responsible for the safe performance of the products.

Whilst working i did a large amount of practical lab testing. This is an area in which university can sometimes focus a little less on. It was really valuable to gain more of these skills. They should compliment the more theory based skills that are aquired from university and make me a more rounded graduate after my course has finished.

I didn't really have an office as such. I mainly worked in a testing lab. This meant that it was sometimes a little quiet/lonely unless somebody else was working in there with me that day. When someone was in there working with me (About 1/3 of the time) they were always very friendly. We would be able to talk technically about the work or product and sometimes just chat generally about news ect. I was glad when there was at least somebody else there rather than being my own.

There wasnt really one specific task or project to work on like with a regualar internship. My work was planned out on a week by week basis. This meant that the type of work might change from one week to the next. Although this meant that it was less clear what would happen during the internship it made it more varied and interesting.

There were a few points at which i thought i was really gaining some valueable skills. I learnt how to use Autodesk inventor, how to solder, how to work with pneumatic fittings, how to set up lab tests, how to use a vault online file system and more. I felt like the company made an effort to increase my skills and invest in me so that in return i could help out with a wider variety of work.

I'd seriously consider working here again. I'd ideally like to work here for another summer job/placement and potentially work here permenantly. It might be a little early to decide on a final job so soon but i'd definately consider it. I know the company now, they know me and i've enjoyed my time working here. They also seem to really value graduate employees judging from the graduate employees ive spoken to whilst working here.

There were a total of three interns including me at the company. For a business of around 50 employees thats quite a high proportion. When i met with the other intern we would chat and i became good friends with them. We were all working on seperate projects however and so didnt neccessarily see each other that much.

I was living at home whilst on my work placement. This meant that living costs were very cheap. I was also able to car share to comute to work with a neighbour which meant transport costs were reduced. My mean socialising was swimming club which was on 4 days per week. Although often, the cost wasn't that high for each session so socializing costs were low aswell.

I worked very close to the centre of Leeds. This meant that the nightlife was very good. There was a wide variety of bars, clubs, cinemas, restaurant ect to go to very close by. I didnt go out to them that often but they were there whenever I wanted them.

Outside of work I went swimming regulally. I enjoy swimming and it helps to keep fitnees and health high. It wasnt organised through work however and i did it before the placement started. There were very few if any activities that i did outside of work with my work colleagues. Not because i didnt want to be with them or do sports. Its just that there werent any available e.g. 5 a side work football team.