Current product support placement student Review

There are enjoyable projects and you have the responsibility of being one of the team, although being caught in the paper work side of releasing products can be annoying.

In the work place i was treated as a fully qualified member of the team, some friendships also exrtended out of work. I did work for a variety of people throughout the company and had interaction with much higher level employees who trustem my testing, judgment and opinion.

Although i didnt have a previous placement student to do a 'hand over period' with me, all the engineers in the office would take the time to get me up to speed and discuss any problems i had at the start, then through out the placement they would pick projects that i was likely to enjoy and always be there to give a helping hand.

I always had multiple tasks on going, some big and some small to fill waiting time for larger projects. Due to the nature of the work there were no strict deadlines (appart from presentations) which allowed good flexibility and reduced stress.

As i was treated as a full member of the team I was given the same responsibility as most others in the office. Although I always had a co-worker to help me out if i was struggling. I was given tasks which required quick turn around times as they could potentially stop the production line, i believe my managers trusted me to deliver.

Although i gained a vast amount of large engine knowledge i believe the biggest benefit will be the confidence i gained to approach a problem, disect it and find the best solution. Also looking at failures and making improvements is hard to get experience with at uni. Having hands on experience as well as having good design practices and idea of design standards will be a good selling point to future employers.

There was a friendly atmostphere in the office, people were open to engage in discussions, work related or otherwise. Generally quite casual.

HR would set up meetings for students to give presentations to forfill IMeche requirements for prenstations. When i started the company encouraged me to join the IMeche MPDS scheme.

Although there wasnt strictly any actual training course i went on, by giving me project of various types and working alongide the specialists in those areas, the company invested time in me to discuss and explain specific hands on problems.

There are a good amount of previous placement students around the office, and being an international company there are various avenues to go down. My manager has discussed with me what i want to do after university.

There were a good amount of sports clubs that the company get involved with and volunteer work. Every month we went out for a curry with 10-15 people from the department. People were keen to help me when my car broke down and I started climbing with a couple guys in the office outside of work related clubs.

In Daventry there wasnt much on for my hobbies although this probably isnt true for all hobbies as there are sports centres and pubs etc it is a small town. Cost of living was reasonable with lots of rental properties. was never skint but i wasnt exactly rich.

There were a few pubs and clubs but none of a highstandard, to go out you would realy need to go to Northampton or Leamington Spa. If you are into clubbing id recommend just commuting in from those places as a few other students and younger guys in the office did.

Most of the people in the office had active hobbies and would invite you along to try it out. Also within work there were endless sports clubs cycling, 5 a side football and badmion to name but a few.