City year volunteer Review

by City Year UK

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4.4/5
  • The Role
    5.0
  • The Company
    4.1
  • The Culture
    3.8

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
  • I fully enjoyed my placement with city year UK, helping to change the world for disadvantaged children by acting as near peer role models both inside and outside of the classroom.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
  • I worked in a team of 8 volunteers, we were all from extremely diverse backgrounds. These differences brought us closer together and we were a very close team and were very supportive of one another

    5/5

  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
  • My team leader was amazing. She had worked at the school as a city year volunteer the year before and therefore had a very clear understanding of our role and the journey we would undertake that year. I couldn't have asked for somebody more supportive.

    5/5

  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
  • The days at school were extremely busy, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. No two days were the same but going in in the morning to see the children's smiling faces and willingness to learn was amazing. You really felt like you were making a difference every day.

    5/5

  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
  • In the school I was allocated focus children and we had full responsibility for working with these children every single day to improve the various things that were the reasons they had been highlighted as focus children. This could be attendance issues, poor behaviour or that they needed to develop their social skills.

    5/5

  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • Everything I learnt at city year will help me at some point in my life. Organisation and timekeeping will be invaluable in my final year at Uni. Patience and resilience with the children will be beneficial for my future career in teaching. I learnt more in the past year than I ever have.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
  • We had a small office as a team and this was a place where we could relax at break times or talk through any issues or worries we wee having with our team leader. We could talk to team members who would have properly faced similar situations before. It was a very comfortable environment.

    5/5

  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
  • City year UK has been running for five years now and therefore the year of service is very well organised. Every school is different but City year clearly outline their vision and what their role is in schools to any new partner schools so that it is clear why the volunteers are there.

    5/5

  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • Every Friday was a leadership development day. This focused on personal development and leadership after City year. We were given corporate mentors and work shadowing opportunities. We were given cv and cover letter advice along with talks from professionals in various employment sectors. There were people we could go to if we wanted to talk about our future career paths at any time during the week.

    5/5

  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
  • Subsidised Canteen

    Above 25 days holiday

    Travel loan

    3/5

  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
  • There is the opportunity to become an impact officer after volunteering, however this is very competitive as there are not many positions available.

    3/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
  • There were many events organised throughout the year that enabled us to socialise with one another outside of the work environment.

    5/5

  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
  • The cost of living, due to being in the centre of Birmingham was not particularly cheap but it was not too expensive as I lived in a student house with other volunteers. It was quite expensive to socialise in the city centre.

    3/5

  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
  • The night life on broad street is not brilliant, however there are some amazing restaurants and cocktail bars which usually make for a much better night out anyway!

    3/5

  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
  • There is so much to do in Birmingham and therefore in the evenings there is loads you can do. There are gyms and swimming pools along with exercise classes. If you are more social there are cinemas, bowling alleys and restaurants.

    5/5

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Details

Placement (10 Months+)

West Midlands

September 2015


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