This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
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The Role
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The Company
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The Culture
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
- 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
- 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
- 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
- 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
- 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
- 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
- 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
- 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
- 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
- 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
- 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
The Role
The work placement was enjoyable, it was hard work but i really feel like I have achieved so much in a year. I enjoy working with people and that is what a much of the role centers around, through managing a team and working with your collegues. Being placed in the city of London was also a great bonus
You quickly become part of the team in store and the team really accept you, you get back as much as you put in
I was placed in a group of Graduates and the one other placement sudent in central london. You recieve the same training and take on the same role as those on the graduate scheme. As a placement student you are then given a sponsor (normally a store manager of another store) as well as coming under the regional HR placement manager who together lead graduate training days and provide support throughout the year. In store you become attached to different commercial managers throughout the year when you are attached to their departments. You can ask for their advice and support at any time.
. It varys day to day but generally each day is busy or very busy start to finish, you are generally on your feet a lot of the day as well working in your department. If you are managing a department then that increases the work you have to do. This means you generally wont wont finish at 5 on the dot but would have to work a little extra until you are free e.g. 20 to 30 mins
Much more than I would have anticipated initially, I got to help manage departments from the first month and then got to cover a foodhall when a commercial manager left. Through this I got to meet and do walk arounds with senior managers from head office which i something i never would have expected to do in a placement year
Working full time in a graduate position really give you the chance to develop skills and confidence which part time work cannot offer. What I have learnt I can now relate to in my final year as well as if I come back to M&S or work in another company in the future.
The Company
The team work well together. There is a real mix of expercience and ages but the team all enjoy working with eachother and we take breaks and lunch as a team every day
leading on from earlier, you have roughly 7 graduate/placemement training events and courses together throughout the year. The rest of the time the structure is not too rigid and revolves around an attachement to a commercial manager. I had a training book to complete but is down to you to get involved with the role to learn as much as you can and gain as much as possible.
You have the chance to attend 5-6 training events througout the year which generally last 1-2 days. These courses are mostly general courses which most managers can attend and relate to the day to day role as a manager e.g. dealing with people issues etc. In addition to this there are the graduate events as i mentioned earlier.
Subsidised Canteen
Financial Bonus
Staff Sales/Staff Shop
Above 25 days holiday
Very good, I have been offered a role back as a commercial manager after I finish my year at University. I have also been helped to find part time work in a store near me whilst i finish my studies
The Culture
Yes i got placed in store with someone on the graduate scheme and its great to have someone in the same situation as you, especially for nights out etc. After a graduate training day manay of the graduates also go out together for drinks.
I lived at home and commuted in so the cost was only for a weekly tube ticket. Socialising was expensive as my store is in the city of london, however it also has some of the best places to go out.
very good, lots of rooftop bars and pubs etc
Not much available, some opportunitys working one or two days a year with our store charities but not a lot
Details
Placement (10 Months+)
Customer Service, Retail, Sales
London
August 2015