Corporate HR Assistant Review

Overall a really enjoyable year. The office atmosphere is one of work hard play hard and everyone is friendly and welcoming.

I was part of a small team and I could quite happily talk to any of them about anything. Awesome banter.

I had a change of management 3 months into my placement and I connected with my new manager really quickly and have been able to rely on him for support and know he has given me every opportunity to develop my skills this year.

I always had things to do. Quite often it was more than a 9-5 job, but I soon realised I didn't have to stay and people appreciate it when you do and become a lot more flexible, i.e. if you need to leave half an hour early one day.

I had my own projects where I was completely in control and decide how much support I needed. I was also given a few recruitment pieces, working with external agencies and internal customers to source a suitable candidate. As soon as I had settled into the role my manager was happy to give me as much responsibility as I wanted and as much as I could manage.

I have developed so many skills over the last year and have really recognised that myself. Not just technical ability but also soft skills such as communication and confidence, which I can transfer into all aspects of my professional and personal life. I developed a thorough understanding of HR, policies and practices and put the things I had learnt at university to practice. Everything you learn at university makes so much more sense when you are applying it to an real job.

I don't think I have laughed so much. The overall office atmosphere was very bright and exciting and everyone is up for a laugh. Everyone knows when it's time to get your head down to work and when it's time for a laugh.

At McDonald's the recruitment of the placement students is the responsibility of the current HR IP. The recruitment process for me was seamless and actually very enjoyable. The only downside to the organisation of the placement was the change in management which was unavoidable.

I was given as much support as I needed and I was sent on training courses that would be beneficial to me in my role, therefore the company where getting a 'return on their investment'. However McDonald's have a blended learning plan, therefore the majority of development is on the job training and I received plenty of this.

If the opportunity presented itself I would definitely accept a position after my final year of university.

There was a really good network of placement students. People went away a lot at weekends, but there was always someone about to socialise with. Lots of after-work drinks on a regular basis

For London it was relatively cheap. My rent was similar to what I was paying at university. Obviously socialising was more expensive, but what can you except in London. We often took advantage of vouchers and happy hours.

There are a couple of pubs but no where to stay until the early hours of the morning. However East Finchley is on the Northern line with night buses running right outside peoples houses, so it is really accessible to get into Central London and doesn't take long at all.

I think if you actively looked for things to do you could find them. I joined a netball team, but that was in South London and my house mates did different activities. Often after work the last thing you want to do is be active.