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The Top Employers Guide 2016-2017

In this guide you’ll read about the diverse experiences of students who have undertaken placements, internships, vacation schemes and insights at the UK’s best employers. We’re proud to be celebrating this guide’s seventh year of sharing peer-to-peer reviews and advice with students nationwide. We’d also like to extend a special thank you to PwC, our Premier Sponsor, as well as each and every organisation that’s contributed to this year’s fantastic guide. Good luck with your search! Ali Lindsay, Oliver Sidwell and Chris Wickson, Co-founders, RMP Enterprise

In this guide you’ll read about the diverse experiences of students who have undertaken placements, internships, vacation schemes and insights at the UK’s best employers. We’re proud to be celebrating this guide’s seventh year of sharing peer-to-peer reviews and advice with students nationwide.

We’d also like to extend a special thank you to PwC, our Premier Sponsor, as well as each and every organisation that’s contributed to this year’s fantastic guide.
Good luck with your search!
Ali Lindsay,
Oliver Sidwell
and Chris Wickson,
Co-founders,
RMP Enterprise

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Students of all years<br />

Diversity in<br />

business<br />

1-2 weeks • Paid<br />

Insight<br />

day<br />

1 day<br />

Summer<br />

internships<br />

6-8 weeks • Paid<br />

Students of all years<br />

Boost your<br />

employability<br />

Penultimate year students<br />

Talent<br />

academies<br />

2-5 days<br />

Work<br />

placement<br />

11 months • Paid<br />

First to final year students<br />

Sandwich or placement students<br />

<strong>The</strong> experience stays with you<br />

We’ve got lots of different work experience programmes for every year of study,<br />

so you can learn more about our business and boost your employability. <strong>The</strong>y’ll<br />

help you make an informed decision about which of our career opportunities is<br />

best for you. Some could even lead to a job.<br />

Join us. We’re focused on helping you reach your full potential.<br />

Take the opportunity of a lifetime<br />

pwc.com/uk/work-experience<br />

/pwccareersuk @pwc_uk_careers<br />

© <strong>2016</strong> PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved.<br />

Create value through diversity.<br />

Be yourself, be different.


WELCOME TO THE<br />

TOP UNDERGRADUATE<br />

EMPLOYERS GUIDE<br />

<strong>2016</strong>-17<br />

In this guide you’ll read about the<br />

diverse experiences of students<br />

who have undertaken placements,<br />

internships, vacation schemes<br />

and insights at the UK’s best<br />

employers. We’re proud to<br />

be celebrating this guide’s<br />

seventh year of sharing<br />

peer-to-peer reviews<br />

and advice with<br />

students nationwide.<br />

We’d also like to extend<br />

a special thank you to PwC,<br />

our Premier Sponsor, as well<br />

as each and every organisation<br />

that’s contributed to this year’s<br />

fantastic guide.<br />

Good luck with your search!<br />

Ali Lindsay,<br />

Oliver Sidwell<br />

and Chris Wickson,<br />

Co-founders,<br />

RMP Enterprise<br />

How many Co-Founders<br />

does it take to change<br />

a lightbulb?<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 3


THE TOP 100<br />

UNDERGRADUATE<br />

EMPLOYERS <strong>2016</strong>-<strong>2017</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 100 Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> table is a who's who of the best<br />

undergraduate employers. It's based on student-written reviews on<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk, for large companies that recruit more than 15 students<br />

a year on placements, internships, vacation schemes and insights, and have at<br />

least 15 reviews on the site.<br />

1<br />

148<br />

2 3<br />

4 5<br />

120<br />

11 12<br />

13<br />

124<br />

114<br />

14<br />

102<br />

15<br />

21 22<br />

23<br />

112<br />

156<br />

24<br />

144<br />

25<br />

186<br />

31 32<br />

33<br />

106<br />

34<br />

178<br />

35<br />

41<br />

166<br />

42 43<br />

44<br />

170<br />

116<br />

45<br />

66<br />

51 52<br />

53<br />

86<br />

54<br />

74<br />

55<br />

190<br />

61<br />

182<br />

62 63<br />

64 65<br />

104<br />

162<br />

71 72<br />

73<br />

172<br />

176<br />

74<br />

184<br />

75<br />

154<br />

81<br />

82<br />

83<br />

84 85<br />

168<br />

136<br />

80<br />

91 92 93<br />

94 95<br />

4 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


Key:<br />

Position in the <strong>Top</strong> 100 table<br />

Page number<br />

1<br />

148<br />

6<br />

7<br />

8<br />

9<br />

10<br />

118<br />

150<br />

180<br />

100<br />

160<br />

16<br />

17<br />

18<br />

19<br />

20<br />

68<br />

132<br />

84<br />

72<br />

26<br />

27<br />

28<br />

29 30<br />

88<br />

138<br />

36<br />

37<br />

38<br />

39<br />

40<br />

140<br />

98<br />

152<br />

134<br />

94<br />

46 47<br />

48<br />

122<br />

49<br />

142<br />

50<br />

92<br />

56 57<br />

58<br />

158<br />

130<br />

59 60<br />

128<br />

66 67<br />

68<br />

174<br />

96<br />

69<br />

146<br />

70<br />

78<br />

76 77<br />

78<br />

82<br />

164<br />

79<br />

108<br />

80<br />

86<br />

87<br />

88<br />

89<br />

90<br />

188<br />

90<br />

70<br />

64<br />

96 97 98<br />

99<br />

76<br />

100<br />

110<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 5


I work where<br />

my growth is supported.<br />

Outthink ordinary. Many companies standstill, but not IBM.<br />

IBM allows you to develop your voice and ideas into endless<br />

opportunities that can help change the world. At IBM, you’ll<br />

challenge your comfort zone to define the career the way you want.<br />

Discover what you can do at IBM.<br />

ibm.com/jobs/uk<br />

IBM and its logo and ibm.com are trademarks of International Business Machines Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. See current list<br />

at ibm.com/trademark. Other product and service names might be trademarks of IBM or other companies. ©International Business Machines Corp. <strong>2016</strong>.<br />

R00001


THE TOP 35 MEDIUM-SIZED<br />

UNDERGRADUATE SCHEMES<br />

<strong>2016</strong>-<strong>2017</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 35 Medium-sized Undergraduate Schemes table is based on reviews<br />

submitted by students on RateMyPlacement.co.uk, for large organisations who recruit<br />

between three and 14 students a year on placement years, internships, vacation<br />

schemes and insights.<br />

1<br />

2<br />

3<br />

4<br />

5<br />

200<br />

216<br />

204<br />

234<br />

228<br />

6 7 8 9<br />

230<br />

10<br />

208<br />

11<br />

222<br />

12 13<br />

198<br />

14 15<br />

218<br />

16 17<br />

236<br />

18<br />

206<br />

19 20<br />

212<br />

21 22<br />

23<br />

24<br />

25<br />

202<br />

196<br />

220<br />

226<br />

26<br />

194<br />

27<br />

232<br />

28 29 30<br />

31<br />

214<br />

32<br />

224<br />

33 34 35<br />

210<br />

THE TOP 5 SMALL TO MEDIUM-<br />

SIZED UNDERGRADUATE<br />

EMPLOYERS <strong>2016</strong>-<strong>2017</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 5 Small to Medium-sized Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> includes the winner<br />

and four shortlisted companies at the National Undergraduate Employability Awards.<br />

It's also based on reviews submitted by students on RateMyPlacement.co.uk for<br />

organisations that employ fewer than 250 people.<br />

238 Winner<br />

Finalist Finalist Finalist 240 Finalist<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 7


REBOOT<br />

THE CLASSROOM<br />

Here at Sparx, we’re working flat out to investigate scientifically<br />

what makes the best learning experience. By using real-time<br />

data to drive an evidence based approach to education, we’re<br />

developing an extraordinary new technology for the classroom<br />

that is redefining the limits of what young people can achieve<br />

and is helping us figure out what works (and what doesn’t) in<br />

the field of education.<br />

Our platform for Maths uses custom built content and a<br />

powerful, data-driven web and mobile framework to deliver<br />

a tailored set of exercises, games and incentives for students.<br />

We’re looking for people with a real passion for education and<br />

a belief in the power of technology to improve it. People who<br />

want a challenge; people who want to make a difference.<br />

Studying computer science, statistics, mathematics,<br />

engineering or the sciences? We are looking for exceptional<br />

summer interns and full time graduates who want to take the<br />

guesswork out of education. We have roles in our Content Science<br />

and Software Development teams. <strong>The</strong> deadline for<br />

Intern applications is 8th January <strong>2017</strong>.<br />

Ignite your career at Sparx, visit:<br />

http://www.sparx.co.uk/join/opportunities<br />

Get in touch:<br />

recruitment@sparx.co.uk<br />

8 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


CONTENTS<br />

3<br />

4<br />

7<br />

11<br />

12<br />

13<br />

15<br />

16<br />

19<br />

20<br />

21<br />

23<br />

24<br />

27<br />

62<br />

192<br />

238<br />

ADVICE<br />

Welcome to the <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate<br />

<strong>Employers</strong> <strong>Guide</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 100 Undergraduate<br />

<strong>Employers</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 35 Medium-sized<br />

Schemes and <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 5 Small<br />

to Medium-sized Undergraduate<br />

<strong>Employers</strong><br />

How To Use This <strong>Guide</strong><br />

What Types Of Opportunities Are<br />

Out <strong>The</strong>re?<br />

Average Undergraduate Salaries<br />

Across <strong>The</strong> UK<br />

What Is <strong>The</strong> Most Important Core<br />

Skill <strong>Employers</strong> Look For?<br />

Don’t Let Your Social Side Get<br />

Your Application Denied<br />

What Makes A Student Stand Out<br />

From <strong>The</strong> Crowd?<br />

Psychometric Testing<br />

What Makes Up <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong><br />

<strong>Employers</strong> Table?<br />

Why Should I Bother?<br />

#PlacementChat: Career Advice<br />

From Graduate Recruitment<br />

Experts<br />

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS<br />

Overviews of various industries<br />

and insights from industry experts<br />

THE TOP 100<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 100 Undergraduate<br />

<strong>Employers</strong><br />

THE TOP 35<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 35 Medium-sized<br />

Undergraduate Schemes<br />

THE TOP 5<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 5 Small to Medium-sized<br />

Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 9


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that means your potential employer could have made their decision<br />

of whether or not to hire you before you’ve even said a single word.<br />

No pressure, then.<br />

Whether you work for a large corporation or a trendy digital start-up,<br />

our new collection caters to every modern dress code so you can arrive<br />

both confident and fashionable from head-to-toe.<br />

To put together your bespoke Lewin look, check out<br />

www.tmlewin.co.uk/students


HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong><br />

guide is based on reviews submitted on<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk by students<br />

who have worked at companies in the<br />

previous academic year. All the reviews<br />

are entirely impartial and cover the dayto-day<br />

role, the company, the students<br />

responsibilities and social opportunities in<br />

the area they were based.<br />

In this guide, you’ll find information<br />

and advice from industry insights to<br />

application top tips alongside the detailed<br />

profiles of the UK’s <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate<br />

<strong>Employers</strong>. So if anything here catches<br />

your eye you can then sign up to the<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk website to find<br />

out more and apply to your favourite<br />

companies.<br />

Employer profile<br />

Student case study<br />

Stuff you need to know<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 11


WHAT TYPES OF<br />

OPPORTUNITIES<br />

ARE OUT THERE?<br />

Placements<br />

Otherwise known as: industrial<br />

placement, sandwich year, year in<br />

industry, year-long internships<br />

Structured programmes where you<br />

spend a full academic year working for<br />

one company (or sometimes two) as a<br />

full-time employee, before returning to<br />

university for your final year.<br />

Internships<br />

Otherwise known as: work experience<br />

Formal and structured programmes that<br />

typically last from four to 12 weeks during<br />

the summer period. <strong>Employers</strong> use such<br />

schemes to spot future talent and<br />

introduce you to the company<br />

during your internship.<br />

Vacation<br />

schemes<br />

Otherwise<br />

known as: vac<br />

schemes, work<br />

experience<br />

Vacation schemes are<br />

short periods of<br />

work experience,<br />

specifically in<br />

law firms. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

typically last<br />

for one to<br />

two weeks.<br />

Many law firms<br />

use this time to<br />

identify recruits for<br />

their training contracts.<br />

HOW TO FIND THEM?<br />

• Placement officers<br />

• University careers service<br />

• Publications (like this!)<br />

• Societies<br />

• Brand Ambassadors<br />

»»<br />

Students working on<br />

behalf of a company<br />

who are employed to<br />

promote its roles.<br />

• Reviews<br />

»»<br />

Check out<br />

RateMyPlacement’s<br />

reviews to find out<br />

what to expect from<br />

the student jobs on<br />

offer.<br />

• Online<br />

• Sign up to<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

and be the first to hear<br />

about new jobs.<br />

Insights<br />

Otherwise known as:<br />

short-term insight schemes,<br />

open days<br />

Insight days or weeks are<br />

primarily for first-year students,<br />

though many are open to all<br />

undergraduates. Insights take<br />

place throughout the year and<br />

are designed to<br />

give you a taste<br />

for the company<br />

or industry. <strong>The</strong>y’re<br />

used to spot<br />

future<br />

talent.<br />

12 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


AVERAGE UNDERGRADUATE<br />

SALARIES ACROSS THE UK<br />

£18,395<br />

Scotland<br />

<strong>The</strong> average<br />

salary across<br />

the board.<br />

£17,733<br />

£15,129<br />

Northern Ireland<br />

£15,973<br />

Wales<br />

£16,891<br />

North West<br />

£16,036<br />

West Midlands<br />

£17,183<br />

South West<br />

£16,376<br />

North East<br />

£16,258<br />

Yorkshire & Humberside<br />

£16,591<br />

East Midlands<br />

£16,694<br />

East Anglia<br />

£22,256<br />

Central London and City<br />

£17,473<br />

South East<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 13


14 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT<br />

CORE SKILL THAT EMPLOYERS<br />

LOOK FOR?<br />

“I was paid for the experience,<br />

however, this was not a<br />

driving motivation, the great<br />

experience and insight was.”<br />

“<strong>The</strong> atmosphere was<br />

welcoming, collegiate and<br />

motivated. Although staff<br />

were very hard working, time<br />

was always made for vacation<br />

scheme participants which<br />

was really refreshing.”<br />

“I was motivated to research<br />

further into the financial<br />

industry. As an economics<br />

student, this may help with<br />

my studies.”<br />

Reviews from<br />

motivated students on<br />

ratemyplacement.co.uk<br />

1Most<br />

Important<br />

Presentation<br />

Confidence<br />

Time Management<br />

Analysis<br />

Commercial Awareness<br />

Organisation<br />

Professionalism<br />

Teamwork<br />

Communication<br />

Motivation<br />

10<br />

Least<br />

Important<br />

“I was given a lot of<br />

responsibility from the start.<br />

I felt like I gained a lot of<br />

self-motivation and have<br />

become a lot better with my<br />

organisational skills as a<br />

result of this.”<br />

“<strong>The</strong> personal interactions<br />

and presentations throughout<br />

the day further motivated<br />

me to become an<br />

investment manager.”<br />

9<br />

8<br />

7<br />

6<br />

5<br />

4<br />

3<br />

2<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 15


DON’T LET YOUR<br />

SOCIAL SIDE GET YOUR<br />

APPLICATION DENIED<br />

Social Media is all fun and games until<br />

someone tags you in a horrendous<br />

picture from 3am last Saturday night just<br />

after you’ve sent off your personal details<br />

in a job application. It’s no secret that<br />

recruiters check social media profiles<br />

whilst considering who they want to<br />

join their team and those messy squad<br />

photos don’t always give the best first<br />

impression.<br />

Besides the embarrassing tags and<br />

status updates we all left as angsty 15<br />

year olds, Social Media can be very<br />

useful for getting in touch with brands,<br />

recruiters and keeping abreast of industry<br />

news.<br />

Facebook<br />

Not all employers look at your page, but<br />

there’s always a chance that one may<br />

do, so keep it clean. Check your privacy<br />

settings to make sure that companies<br />

only see what you want them to see<br />

(while keeping all those drunk pictures<br />

nicely hidden from view). Put yourself in<br />

the recruiter’s shoes and think – if I was<br />

looking at someone’s profile with this stuff<br />

on, would I hire them? If the answer’s no,<br />

you might want to have a social spring<br />

clean.<br />

You can like www.facebook.com/<br />

ratemyplacement for plenty more useful<br />

information about applying for your first<br />

role.<br />

Here’s our top tips for navigating the<br />

online socialsphere.<br />

16 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


For more tips like this,<br />

check out:<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk/blog<br />

Twitter<br />

Same thing with Twitter. Make sure that,<br />

when you’re interacting with employers,<br />

your tweets are professional, clean,<br />

not too controversial and written in the<br />

Queen’s English, not text speak. Twitter’s<br />

also great for searching for jobs that<br />

might pop up at any time and following<br />

companies to see what they’re up to.<br />

Engage with recruiters and ask questions.<br />

You can also do this with the UK’s best<br />

employers on #PlacementChat, so check<br />

it out. Remember, be concise and always,<br />

always polite.<br />

Follow @RateMyPlacement for the<br />

latest job updates, application tips and<br />

competitions.<br />

Linkedin<br />

If you don’t have an account, get one.<br />

Simple as that. This is like your online<br />

CV, and if an employer searches for you<br />

to see what your online presence is like,<br />

a good LinkedIn page can make you<br />

stand out really well. Keep it professional<br />

though – this isn’t a place for cat pictures<br />

or random status updates. It’s a place<br />

for connecting with industry experts and<br />

making yourself look like a pro, so use it<br />

and use it wisely!<br />

Search on LinkedIn for the<br />

RateMyPlacement group - it’s full of<br />

like-minded students and undergraduate<br />

recruiters - just remember to have a<br />

smart profile picture!<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 17


We’re<br />

redefining<br />

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Today’s $8 trillion travel and tourism industry has been through a major<br />

step change, and Travelport is at the centre of this fast-moving world.<br />

Through our Travel Commerce Platform we evolve and advance the<br />

travel industry with a single-minded aim – to create a more connected,<br />

more efficient and more profitable world for our customers.<br />

At Travelport, we believe our people are our greatest asset, and we’re<br />

always seeking talented, innovative and ambitious students who are<br />

interested in becoming part of our valued team. As a member of our<br />

UK internship program, you and your colleagues will tackle new<br />

challenges and reach your fullest potential as you deliver superior,<br />

innovative results for our customers and our business.<br />

Take a glimpse into your professional future with Travelport.<br />

travelport.com/careers/uk-internships


WHAT MAKES A<br />

STUDENT STAND OUT<br />

FROM THE CROWD?<br />

We asked the top employers to describe<br />

the qualities that make a student stand<br />

out from the crowd in three words.<br />

Here’s what they said:<br />

Agility, Ambitious, Analytical, Articulate,<br />

Authentic, Aware, Bold, Brave,<br />

Collaborative, Commercial, Committed,<br />

Communicator, Competent, Confident,<br />

Conscientious, Creative, Curious,<br />

Dedicated, Determined, Diligent,<br />

Driven, Engaging, Enthusiastic,<br />

Entrepreneurial, Experience, Flexibility,<br />

Genuine, Hardworking, Honest, Impact,<br />

Individual, Initiative, Innovative,<br />

Inquisitive, Integrity, Intellect,<br />

Intelligence, Logical, Motivated,<br />

Organised, Original, Passionate,<br />

Personable, Personality, Positive,<br />

Prepared, Presence, Proactive,<br />

Professional, Research, Resourceful,<br />

Sense, Strategic, Team-Players, Team-<br />

Worker, Understanding, Versatile.<br />

Have you got what it takes to stand out?<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 19


PSYCHOMETRIC<br />

TESTING<br />

If a recruiter likes your CV but wants to<br />

test your skills and reasoning further,<br />

they may ask you to complete some<br />

psychometric tests before progressing<br />

your application.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se tests are used to find out what<br />

kind of personality, temperament and<br />

attitude you have. <strong>The</strong>se can take the<br />

form of personality and aptitude tests.<br />

As these tests are based on honest<br />

responses and will ask questions that you<br />

probably won’t be aware of beforehand,<br />

the best you can do is take practice tests<br />

first to get an idea of what they’ll be like.<br />

While you can’t control the test, you can<br />

control your environment. Make sure<br />

you’re in a quiet place where you can<br />

focus, read the instructions to<br />

know what you have to do<br />

and work your<br />

For more info on<br />

Psychometric testing,<br />

check out:<br />

rmp.gd/psychometric<br />

way through the questions quickly and<br />

honestly.<br />

Psychometric tests only make up one<br />

part of your application - to get all the<br />

information about what to expect and<br />

how to be best prepared join us on<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk!<br />

20 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


WHAT MAKES UP THE TOP<br />

EMPLOYERS TABLE?<br />

Total number of opportunities<br />

across all top employers.<br />

of undergraduates go back<br />

as graduates.<br />

<strong>The</strong> number of<br />

opportunities per scheme.<br />

1,696 Vacation Schemes<br />

5,292 Insights<br />

4,329 Placements<br />

6,929 Internships<br />

<strong>The</strong> gender of people who<br />

reviewed this year.<br />

Of the opportunities available<br />

across the top employers<br />

32%<br />

of students reviewed on<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

1<br />

2<br />

3<br />

4<br />

5<br />

6<br />

Banking is the most reviewed<br />

industry with students.<br />

BANKING<br />

LAW<br />

BUSINESS<br />

SCIENCE<br />

ENGINEERING<br />

IT<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 21


L O O K I N G F O R<br />

A C A R E E R I N<br />

A M O D E R N<br />

L A W F I R M ?<br />

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60+ OFFICES IN OVER 30 COUNTRIES<br />

We have some 3,200 lawyers offering industry-specific advice<br />

tailored to the needs of our clients and the markets they operate<br />

in. Join our team for unrivalled training, global secondment<br />

opportunities and the chance to become a future leader at our<br />

<strong>Top</strong> 10 Global Elite firm.<br />

Interested? Join us on any of these programmes:<br />

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Applications close 15 January <strong>2017</strong><br />

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Applications close 30 June <strong>2017</strong><br />

L E A R N M O R E A T<br />

G R A D U A T E S . C M S - C M C K . C O M<br />

22 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


WHY SHOULD<br />

I BOTHER?<br />

Now you’re asking the real questions! <strong>The</strong><br />

prospect of leaving your friends for a year,<br />

delaying your graduation and possibly<br />

moving again can be a daunting<br />

one – but there’s a reason your<br />

university’s career<br />

team keep telling you<br />

to do a placement.<br />

Here’s the top 5 things<br />

you’ll get out of a year<br />

in industry.<br />

Work Experience<br />

<strong>The</strong> big one, and<br />

the main reason you<br />

would do a work scheme. <strong>The</strong><br />

experience you gain through a<br />

year in industry will be invaluable<br />

– not only for your future job<br />

prospects, but as transferable<br />

skills for your degree. It’s been<br />

shown that those who take<br />

on a placement during their<br />

degree actually do better in<br />

their courses. Key skills like time<br />

management, prioritisation and<br />

managing multiple projects at<br />

once are core assets you’ll learn<br />

and then naturally apply to your<br />

course.<br />

Communication<br />

Emojis and text<br />

speak won’t cut<br />

it in the corporate<br />

world. By being immersed in that<br />

environment you’ll learn how you can<br />

adapt your communication across phone<br />

conversations, emails and face-to-face<br />

meetings as well as the difference between<br />

internal and external communication. Just<br />

remember – when applying, keep it formal!<br />

Understanding how to use people’s<br />

knowledge<br />

You’re not expected to know everything<br />

and hit the ground running. You will be<br />

expected to learn quickly and get stuck in.<br />

One of the most useful skills you’ll learn<br />

is how to identify who can<br />

help you, who can fill<br />

your knowledge gaps and<br />

who you can learn from to<br />

make sure you’re delivering<br />

the best possible performance<br />

on a consistent basis.<br />

Work/life balance<br />

University is a lot of fun. You do<br />

have to study, but a lot of time is<br />

leisure. During your year placement<br />

you’ll learn how to balance your<br />

business responsibilities as well<br />

as your life. It’ll take some time,<br />

staying out until 3am will no longer<br />

be a good option, but there are<br />

plenty of other ways to have fun<br />

and spend your time outside<br />

of work.<br />

Life skills<br />

Budgets may not sound<br />

like fun but they’re<br />

definitely something you<br />

need to know about. With<br />

rent, council tax and<br />

travel you’ll learn pretty<br />

quickly how to manage<br />

your money whilst<br />

you’re working which will set you<br />

up with great money management<br />

habits for life.<br />

If that hasn’t convinced you, just head<br />

over to RateMyPlacement.co.uk and<br />

start reading through the 40,000 individual<br />

reviews - we’re pretty sure those will help<br />

you make up your mind!<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 23


#PLACEMENTCHAT: CAREER<br />

ADVICE FROM GRADUATE<br />

RECRUITMENT EXPERTS<br />

If you are in the middle of applying for a<br />

placement, internship or student job,<br />

or in the planning stages and thinking about<br />

applying for one next year, then join in on<br />

our #PlacementChat sessions.<br />

#PlacementChat sessions bring<br />

together recruitment experts and career<br />

professionals who can answer any<br />

questions you might have about your CV,<br />

cover letter, applications, interviews or<br />

assessment centres.<br />

#PlacementChat is an hour-long Twitter<br />

meet up that is held by RateMyPlacement<br />

every few weeks in which we bring together<br />

students, thought-leaders, recruiters and<br />

university careers services to discuss<br />

everything placement-related.<br />

This is your chance to ask all those burning<br />

questions that you’ve been thinking about<br />

for a while.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se could cover anything from faceto-face<br />

interviews to assessment centres<br />

to Skype calls, or maybe you just want to<br />

direct a question about a specific company<br />

to the people who work there.<br />

Some of the country’s top companies and<br />

employers have been known to take part in<br />

our #PlacementChat sessions.<br />

Take a look at some of the major<br />

businesses that have been involved<br />

previously.<br />

Bus Placement Unit<br />

@BusPlace<br />

What’s your advice for students who have<br />

had rejections and are now feeling<br />

de-motivated? #PlacementChat<br />

Cummins UK/EU Grads<br />

@CumminsJobs<br />

@BusPlace Try to obtain feedback<br />

(appreciate this can be difficult), take<br />

a look at your CV/cover letter again.<br />

#PlacementChat<br />

KPMG Recruitment UK<br />

@KPMGRecruitment<br />

@BusPlace Don’t give up! <strong>The</strong>re’s plenty<br />

of opportunities out there. Just keep trying,<br />

they’ll eventually find the right opportunity<br />

for them #PlacementChat<br />

Enterprise Jobs<br />

@ERAC_Jobs<br />

@BusPlace ask for feedback visit your<br />

careers service and practice, start getting<br />

your apps ready for next year<br />

#PlacementChat<br />

24 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


RateMyPlacement<br />

@RateMyPlacement<br />

When filing through applications, how would<br />

you recommend students submit their CV?<br />

Length? Necessary things to include?<br />

#PlacementChat<br />

3M_UK_Recruitment<br />

@3MUKRecruitment<br />

@RateMyPlacement Keep your CV to 2<br />

pages. Include relevant experience and<br />

skills that you have, directly linked to the<br />

role #PlacementChat<br />

HOW CAN YOU<br />

GET INVOLVED IN<br />

#PLACEMENTCHAT?<br />

WELL, THAT’S EASY<br />

Just follow these four simple<br />

steps:<br />

• Log into your Twitter<br />

account<br />

• Follow<br />

@RateMyPlacement<br />

• Search #PlacementChat<br />

and click “All”<br />

• Send your questions<br />

with the #PlacementChat<br />

hashtag<br />

UoL Placement Team<br />

@livuniplacement<br />

@CumminsJobs @RateMyPlacement<br />

wanted to say that from #PlacementChat<br />

and circulating your advice I’ve seen and<br />

helped 3 students apply<br />

#PlacementChat<br />

3M_UK_Recruitment<br />

@3MUKRecruitment<br />

@livuniplacement @RateMyPlacement<br />

Fantastic news - great to hear!<br />

#PlacementChat<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 25


SEE YOURSELF AT<br />

SHOOSMITHS<br />

Develop your career at a firm<br />

focussed on putting people,<br />

relationships and results at the<br />

heart of your training contract.<br />

Apply now at<br />

www.shoosmiths.co.uk<br />

26 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

www.twitter.com/shoosmithsgrads<br />

www.facebook.com/shoosmithsgraduates


INDUSTRY INSIGHTS<br />

On the following pages you will find a selection of industry insights<br />

that reflect the companies featured in the guide. Within each section,<br />

you will find an overview of that particular industry, plus a Q&A with<br />

an industry expert.<br />

Accounting<br />

& Finance<br />

Page 28<br />

Advertising<br />

& Marketing<br />

Page 30<br />

Banking<br />

Page 32<br />

Business<br />

Page 34<br />

Charity<br />

Page 36<br />

Consultancy<br />

Page 38<br />

Engineering<br />

Page 40<br />

Fashion<br />

Page 42<br />

Consumer Goods<br />

Page 44<br />

Hospitality, Leisure,<br />

Travel & Tourism<br />

Page 46<br />

Investment Banking<br />

Page 48<br />

Investment<br />

Management<br />

Page 50<br />

IT<br />

Page 52<br />

LAW<br />

Page 54<br />

Property<br />

Page 56<br />

Retail<br />

Page 58<br />

Science<br />

& Research<br />

Page 60<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 27


ACCOUNTING<br />

& FINANCE<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

73%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

<strong>Employers</strong> look for candidates who<br />

can show that they have the ability to<br />

understand complex concepts and data<br />

quickly, so it’s important to show your<br />

interpretation and analysis skills while<br />

on a placement.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

Previous students have worked as<br />

audit and tax interns, in government<br />

assurance, pensions assurance,<br />

regulatory reporting and analyst roles.<br />

See more placement and internship<br />

reviews on RateMyPlacement.co.uk.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

28 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

This sector is all about helping<br />

companies tackle complex financial<br />

tasks. This could involve informing<br />

clients about how to abide by regulations,<br />

organise their finances, identify where<br />

profits and losses are made and report<br />

financial results.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re’s a lot of freedom to choose your<br />

own path and gain qualifications in<br />

this industry – you could specialise in<br />

anything from assurance or commercial<br />

finance to risk assessments and taxation.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

Key requirements vary depending on the<br />

company. Some value resilience highly,<br />

while others value motivational skills.<br />

However, they all want people who are<br />

good communicators and commerciallyaware,<br />

so take this into account.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

A placement or internship will not only<br />

give you first-hand experience of working<br />

in this exciting industry, in terms of<br />

meeting clients and performing audits,<br />

but it will also help you to demonstrate<br />

the skills you used and learned on your<br />

CV.


What Andrew thinks...<br />

Andrew<br />

Company<br />

PwC<br />

Position<br />

Assurance Senior<br />

Associate<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

Whilst studying Mathematics with<br />

Business Management at the University of<br />

Birmingham, I was successful in obtaining a<br />

6 week internship in PwC’s Assurance<br />

practice. Upon receiving my degree, I was<br />

offered a place on the graduate programme.<br />

I’m now entering my third year in PwC’ s<br />

Milton Keynes office.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

Professional Services is an exciting<br />

industry to be involved in. <strong>The</strong> industry<br />

supports businesses of all sizes and<br />

within different markets, to improve<br />

efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.<br />

PwC offered me the opportunity to<br />

receive the best professional services<br />

training whilst working with prestigious<br />

clients.<br />

“I learn something new every<br />

day, whether it’s studying for<br />

my professional accountancy<br />

exams or through practical work<br />

experience. ”<br />

What is your top tip for working in<br />

your industry?<br />

Be prepared and conscientious. <strong>The</strong>se<br />

are traits which will serve you well and<br />

you should exercise them during your<br />

applications. Show you’ve taken the time<br />

to learn about the industry and have<br />

the confidence to discuss this during an<br />

interview.<br />

What differentiates your industry from<br />

other industries?<br />

People working in Professional Services<br />

are working directly with their clients<br />

on a day-to-day basis. <strong>The</strong>re are vast<br />

opportunities to work on different clients<br />

and industries, to provide specialist<br />

advice. You work with a diverse group of<br />

people, in various roles, both internally<br />

and externally to improve a client’s<br />

business.<br />

What do you enjoy most about your<br />

industry?<br />

I learn something new every day,<br />

whether it’s studying for my professional<br />

accountancy exams or through practical<br />

work experience. I learn from doing, learn<br />

from others and through formal training;<br />

gaining a strong balance of personal,<br />

business, and technical skills.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 10 / Pg. 160<br />

TOP 100 pos. 13 / Pg. 114<br />

TOP 100 pos. 34 / Pg. 178<br />

TOP 100 pos. 52 / Pg. 86<br />

TOP 35 pos. 32 / Pg. 224<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 29


ADVERTISING<br />

& MARKETING<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

17%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

<strong>The</strong> world of advertising and marketing<br />

is more fast-moving than most. Ideas<br />

and concepts are developed under<br />

strict timelines so it really helps if you<br />

a) have a creative mind and b) can take<br />

criticism.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are lots of great work experience<br />

opportunities. Previous students have<br />

worked in corporate communications,<br />

digital marketing, digital sales<br />

and media, creative services and<br />

copywriting for top companies. Check<br />

out reviews on<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

Advertising agencies and marketing<br />

departments want people who are<br />

creative, innovative and open-minded.<br />

<strong>The</strong> industry employs people from a wide<br />

range of backgrounds.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

This can be a very enjoyable sector<br />

to work in. You’ll be able to hone your<br />

creative skills, learn from experts and<br />

attend exciting industry awards.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

Advertisers work for clients, executing<br />

their commercial brand campaigns, so<br />

you need to be able to meet or exceed<br />

their requirements. Marketers are more<br />

likely to work in-house for one company,<br />

promoting its messages and services.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

Many agencies and companies offer<br />

work experience. It’s a great way to get<br />

a taste of working on varied campaigns<br />

for different clients, and the demands<br />

that come with each one. You also get to<br />

see all the work that goes on behind the<br />

scenes of a successful campaign, from<br />

concept to delivery.<br />

30 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Hannah thinks...<br />

Hannah Wrightson<br />

Company<br />

RateMyPlacement<br />

Position<br />

Marketing Assistant<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

I currently work in the marketing team at<br />

RateMyPlacement. My role as Marketing<br />

Assistant involves heading up the<br />

social media for the company, attending<br />

freshers’ and careers fairs to promote<br />

RateMyPlacement as well as helping<br />

host events throughout the year for<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

What really appealed to me about<br />

marketing is how dynamic and creative<br />

the industry is. I really enjoy the idea of<br />

being thrown in to the deep end as well<br />

as having the opportunity to connect with<br />

so many people.<br />

“Not only do you work with<br />

different teams on a day to day<br />

basis, you also work with a wide<br />

range of audiences so it is<br />

import to be able to adapt to<br />

different situations.”<br />

What is your top tip for working in<br />

your industry?<br />

My top tip for working in this industry<br />

would be as flexible and pro-active<br />

as possible. This is really important in<br />

marketing as your audience is constantly<br />

changing!<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in your industry?<br />

To really excel in this industry, I think<br />

a key skill would have to be strong<br />

communication skills. Not only do you<br />

work with different teams on a day to day<br />

basis, you also work with a wide range<br />

of audiences so it is import to be able to<br />

adapt to different situations.<br />

What do you enjoy most about your<br />

industry?<br />

I really enjoy all the different aspects<br />

to marketing and the chance to get<br />

involved in so much whether this is direct<br />

marketing, e-marketing or social media.<br />

I also enjoy the chance to communicate<br />

with a number of different teams and<br />

audiences.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 4<br />

TOP 100 pos. 55 / Pg. 190<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 31


BANKING<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

78%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

Banking is a sector that revolves<br />

around figures and data, but you don’t<br />

just have to be a numerical genius.<br />

People skills – like the ability to lead<br />

and influence others – are just as<br />

important.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

Previous students have worked in<br />

real estate private equity, sales and<br />

trading, sales and analytics, securities<br />

and operations. Read their reviews on<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

Banks want talented and intellectual<br />

students who can help them make<br />

informed financial decisions and meet<br />

each of their client’s needs. To succeed,<br />

you’ll need to be commercially-aware and<br />

a team player.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

Beyond just the financial salary aspect,<br />

which is obviously a big plus point, other<br />

reasons to work in banking include the<br />

chance to potentially work abroad and<br />

receive fantastic training and career<br />

support.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are certain attributes you’ll<br />

need to demonstrate. <strong>The</strong>se include<br />

a combination of intelligence,<br />

entrepreneurial spirit, the ability to work<br />

under pressure and a global banking<br />

outlook.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

Many banks use placements and<br />

internships as an extended pre-interview<br />

for a graduate job, so a major benefit is<br />

that if you do well, you’ll have a good<br />

foundation of experience when it comes<br />

to applying for graduate schemes.<br />

32 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Anita thinks...<br />

Anita Barnwell<br />

Company<br />

Lloyds Banking Group<br />

Position<br />

Head of Regulatory<br />

Training and Capability<br />

for Credit Operations<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

I joined Lloyds in Newcastle, after I<br />

finished school. I’ve worked throughout<br />

Customer Service, Sales, HR and Change<br />

Management. Now I work in Credit<br />

Operations, supporting colleagues to deliver<br />

the best outcomes to customers in financial<br />

difficulty.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

Financial services are a part of everyone’s<br />

life; whether it be getting money from a cash<br />

point, buying your first home, or getting<br />

travel insurance for your dream holiday.<br />

What I enjoy is that it’s a people business<br />

focused on learning and development, so<br />

we can help Britain prosper.<br />

“At Lloyds Banking Group<br />

our purpose is to Help Britain<br />

Prosper, so everything we do<br />

underpins that ethos.”<br />

What is your top tip for working in this<br />

industry?<br />

Develop your skills of building great<br />

relationships with others, know what you<br />

enjoy doing, and work towards a role that<br />

allows you to flourish.<br />

What differentiates your industry from<br />

others?<br />

<strong>The</strong> career opportunities in banking are<br />

vast, and it’s a meritocracy. I’ve worked in<br />

branches, within Insurance, Finance and<br />

Audit, helped set up operational units, and<br />

been part of the teams delivering major<br />

change programmes. <strong>The</strong> professionalism<br />

and capability of my colleagues is always<br />

inspiring.<br />

What do you enjoy most about your<br />

industry?<br />

<strong>The</strong> opportunity to make a difference to<br />

the people around me – whether that be<br />

customers by finding ways we can serve<br />

them better; or colleagues by giving them<br />

the opportunity to bring their ‘true self’ to<br />

work.<br />

What advice would you give to others<br />

considering a career in your industry?<br />

Research the industry and, understand what<br />

the company you are looking at, is about.<br />

At Lloyds Banking Group our purpose is to<br />

Help Britain Prosper, so everything we do<br />

underpins that ethos.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 19 / Pg. 84<br />

TOP 100 pos. 20 / Pg. 72<br />

TOP 100 pos. 49 / Pg. 142<br />

TOP 100 pos. 60 / Pg. 128<br />

TOP 100 pos. 78 / Pg. 164<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 33


BUSINESS<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

78%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

In business, you’ll typically have to split<br />

your time between working on different<br />

projects, so it’s important that you<br />

manage your time well and can deal<br />

with the pressure of deadlines without<br />

getting stressed.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

Business roles exist in all kinds of<br />

companies, from banks to IT and<br />

technology companies. Previous<br />

students have reviewed roles like<br />

operations specialist, business analyst,<br />

support coordinator and IT analyst on<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

What do businesses want?<br />

You’ll need diverse skills. For example,<br />

you need to motivate other people and<br />

get the best out of them, by identifying<br />

their strengths, making sure they feel<br />

valued and offering relevant training.<br />

Why choose a business career?<br />

A career in business can help you gain<br />

skills you can apply in all walks of life,<br />

such as the ability to communicate well<br />

with and inspire others, as well as giving<br />

you the chance to work in different<br />

sectors.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

You’ll be expected to identify solutions to<br />

business problems, find the best way to<br />

efficiently and cost-effectively implement<br />

said solutions and then report on them,<br />

evaluating how well they have performed.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

Work experience in businesses, for<br />

example insurers or consultancies, will<br />

give you an understanding of what the<br />

day job involves and whether you suit<br />

the work or not. It also lets you work real<br />

projects and get outstanding experience<br />

for your CV.<br />

34 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Luke thinks...<br />

Luke Gorman<br />

Company<br />

SAP<br />

Position<br />

Sales Support Associate<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

Studying Business Management at the<br />

University of Birmingham. Working within<br />

the UK and Ireland Financial Services and<br />

Public Sector teams as a Sales Support<br />

Associate managing sales forecasts,<br />

sales pipelines and numerous back office<br />

applications.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

<strong>The</strong> technology industry is constantly<br />

growing with the rise of digital<br />

applications and a more digitally<br />

demanding society. Every day, we use<br />

technology and working within the<br />

industry puts you at the forefront of<br />

innovation.<br />

“It’s amazing how involved you<br />

get and the opportunities you<br />

are exposed to – in my role, I<br />

am responsible for helping to<br />

manage multi-million pound<br />

deals.”<br />

What is your top tip for working in<br />

Business?<br />

Embrace change and don’t be afraid<br />

to get ahead of the curve. <strong>The</strong> industry<br />

is constantly producing technology<br />

innovations to meet the rapidly evolving<br />

needs of customers.<br />

What differentiates the Business<br />

industry from others?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is no one way to succeed –<br />

working in technology you understand<br />

that anything is possible, it is one of<br />

the most forward thinking and diverse<br />

industries to work in.<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in Business?<br />

A hands-on, motivated and ambitious<br />

attitude will reap rewards. Be prepared<br />

to embrace change and find radical<br />

improvements for everything you do.<br />

Describe the workload and<br />

responsibility given to students in<br />

Business.<br />

It’s amazing how involved you get and<br />

the opportunities you are exposed to –<br />

in my role, I am responsible for helping<br />

to manage multi-million pound deals.<br />

Encouragement is given to you to pursue<br />

your own projects such as social media.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 7 / Pg. 150<br />

TOP 100 pos. 81 / Pg. 168<br />

TOP 100 pos. 89 / Pg. 64<br />

TOP 35 pos. 11 / Pg. 222<br />

TOP 35 pos. 31 / Pg. 214<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 35


CHARITY<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

65%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

Charities, probably more than most<br />

other companies, look for people who<br />

can show that they are truly passionate<br />

about the cause that the charity<br />

fights for, and bring that passion and<br />

dedication to the role itself.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

Charities offer varied work experience<br />

opportunities, with previous students<br />

having worked in events production,<br />

conservation, fundraising and<br />

marketing. Find reviews for these jobs<br />

at RateMyPlacement.co.uk.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are thousands of charities in the<br />

sector, so each one needs employees<br />

who can help it stay competitive and<br />

attract people to its cause. This calls for a<br />

combination of creativity and proactivity.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

<strong>The</strong> work you can get involved with in this<br />

sector lets you make a real contribution<br />

and difference to society, so the job<br />

satisfaction is a big pull. You may also be<br />

able to travel the world depending on who<br />

you work for.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

This depends on your role. Fundraisers<br />

need to be persuasive to encourage<br />

donations. Charity officers need to help<br />

with building external partnerships and<br />

bringing in volunteers. Marketing and<br />

PR need to promote the profile of the<br />

company.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

Placements and internships give you a<br />

great idea of how charities operate and<br />

what’s required to help them maintain<br />

their success, while also fighting for their<br />

chosen cause.<br />

36 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Emily thinks...<br />

Emily Bowyer<br />

Company<br />

NCS <strong>The</strong> Challenge<br />

Position<br />

Programme Leader<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

I worked as a Programme Leader on NCS<br />

<strong>The</strong> Challenge’s Autumn 2015 and Summer<br />

<strong>2016</strong> programme. <strong>The</strong> ‘seasonal’ nature of<br />

the role gives me the flexibility to pursue my<br />

own international community development<br />

projects.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

Working in a youth and community<br />

development charity means you can<br />

make a positive change within society,<br />

and for individuals. For me, this is very<br />

important.<br />

“Passion, energy, belief in what<br />

you are doing and the ability to<br />

communicate that to others.”<br />

What is your top tip for working in this<br />

industry?<br />

Be proactive! Go out there, meet<br />

people and volunteer to gain invaluable<br />

experience first. Most importantly – do<br />

something you are passionate about. This<br />

will make interviews and finding jobs that<br />

much easier.<br />

What differentiates your industry from<br />

others?<br />

Priorities are different from a lot of other<br />

industries. We are working together to<br />

benefit local communities and people, not<br />

to make money.<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in your industry?<br />

Passion, energy, belief in what you are<br />

doing and the ability to communicate that<br />

to others.<br />

Describe the workload and<br />

responsibility given to students in<br />

your industry.<br />

It depends but as a Senior Mentor you<br />

would be in charge of twelve young<br />

people. You help the team grow, gain<br />

new skills and become active members<br />

of society. Although the role may seem<br />

intense at times, in no other job can you<br />

have such a positive direct influence on<br />

young people.<br />

What do you enjoy most about your<br />

industry?<br />

You get to really make a difference in<br />

your local community and young people’s<br />

lives.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 40 / Pg. 94<br />

TOP 100 pos. 76<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 37


CONSULTANCY<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

71%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

A key skill for being successful in<br />

consultancy is influencing others. As<br />

consultants work a lot with clients,<br />

you should be able to produce strong<br />

arguments to bring people around to<br />

your way of thinking.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

While on a consultancy placement<br />

or internship, you could work as a<br />

management trainee, technology<br />

consultant or a support analyst.<br />

Reviews of these student jobs, and<br />

thousands more like them, can be<br />

found on RateMyPlacement.co.uk.<br />

What do consultancies want?<br />

If you can combine the ability to<br />

collect, analyse and present data sets<br />

that reach the goal of helping clients<br />

overcome business problems, you’d suit<br />

consultancy.<br />

Why choose consultancy?<br />

Consultancy is a great career to start<br />

in if you want to challenge yourself and<br />

develop your business skills.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

You don’t have to be the finished<br />

article when starting out, but you will<br />

be expected to bring certain skills to<br />

the role – these could include Excel<br />

proficiency, analytical ability and good<br />

communication.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

Working in the industry and with clients<br />

will allow you to develop transferable<br />

skills, as well as giving you a chance<br />

to experience working at some of the<br />

world’s largest companies on global<br />

projects.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

38 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Judith thinks...<br />

Judith Wilson<br />

Company<br />

Deloitte LLP<br />

Position<br />

Analyst, Consulting<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

I joined Deloitte in April 2015 through the<br />

first HR consulting academy. I am now an<br />

analyst in the UK Technology Adoption<br />

practice. Prior to working in Deloitte I<br />

studied Environmental Planning followed by<br />

an MSc in Communications with Strategic<br />

Management.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

I chose Consulting because I wasn’t sure<br />

what I wanted to specialise in. At the<br />

minute I sit within Technology Adoption<br />

but I get experience in dealing with a<br />

diverse range of sectors and there is<br />

always the option to progress into other<br />

areas throughout Consulting.<br />

“I’m continually increasing my<br />

skillset, making Consulting the<br />

ideal industry for me.”<br />

What is your top tip for working in this<br />

industry?<br />

Never give up! <strong>The</strong>re may be times when<br />

something doesn’t work out as you had<br />

planned, but don’t let this demotivate<br />

you. Always give your best and when<br />

you leave that project you will know you<br />

have done all in your power to make it a<br />

success.<br />

What differentiates your industry from<br />

others?<br />

In Consulting you can be involved in a<br />

wide variety of work which means no<br />

two days are the same, so you never get<br />

bored! I love being constantly challenged<br />

and the varied workload means I’m<br />

continually increasing my skillset, making<br />

Consulting the ideal industry for me.<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in your industry?<br />

I believe anyone with a positive attitude<br />

and enthusiasm can go a long way in<br />

any career, especially Consulting. Even<br />

in daunting situations, like starting a new<br />

project, these infectious attitudes will<br />

be recognised by the clients and help<br />

establish a good rapport with them.<br />

What advice would you give to others<br />

considering a career in your industry?<br />

Consulting offers a very flexible career<br />

option. Rather than limiting yourself to<br />

one specific area you get experience in a<br />

wide variety of sectors and you can later<br />

choose one to specialise in, for me it is a<br />

smart career choice.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 26 / Pg. 88<br />

TOP 100 pos. 32 / Pg. 106<br />

TOP 100 pos. 71<br />

TOP 100 pos. 83<br />

TOP 35 pos. 1 / Pg. 200<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 39


ENGINEERING<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

40%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

As engineering is such a broad area,<br />

one skill that applies across a wide<br />

spectrum of engineering disciplines is<br />

good communication. You need to be<br />

able to understand projects and explain<br />

decisions to colleagues.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are many different types of<br />

engineer. On RateMyPlacement.<br />

co.uk we have reviews of roles<br />

including hardware design engineer,<br />

manufacturing engineer, mechanical<br />

engineer, CAD engineer, process<br />

engineer and more.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

Engineering companies need people who<br />

are keen to solve problems and learn, as<br />

well as bringing a level of professionalism<br />

and technical expertise to their work<br />

experience. Engineers also need to work<br />

in teams to achieve their goals.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

Engineers are needed in a range of<br />

organisations. This means you could<br />

benefit from good job security, the ability<br />

to progress to senior levels and the<br />

chance to work on international projects.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

With society facing major challenges like<br />

population growth and restricted fossil<br />

fuels, the next generation of engineers<br />

is expected to devise innovative,<br />

sustainable solutions that will tackle<br />

these head on.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

It goes without saying that a key benefit<br />

of your work experience is the fact<br />

that it gives you real responsibility and<br />

something concrete to build your CV<br />

around. <strong>The</strong> transferable skills you’ll learn<br />

can be applied to many roles too.<br />

40 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Bethany thinks...<br />

Bethany<br />

Company<br />

GSK<br />

Position<br />

Strategy Lead<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

I completed a degree in Biochemical<br />

Engineering at the University of Bath. At<br />

GSK I am a strategy lead, responsible<br />

for the Quality area within Global<br />

Manufacturing and Supply. This involves<br />

the development of strategies for each of<br />

the key business processes, and driving<br />

initiatives where required.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

A family friend, who works at GSK,<br />

recommended that I look at them as an<br />

option for my Industrial placement. <strong>The</strong>re<br />

were a number of opportunities available<br />

just for placement schemes, which<br />

excited me because of the potential<br />

development areas for the future. <strong>The</strong><br />

ITDP also appealed to me as it looked<br />

like it would be a great way to learn about<br />

the different areas of the company, and I<br />

was proved right!<br />

“Being such a large organisation,<br />

strong communication skills<br />

(both verbal and written) are<br />

important.”<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in your industry?<br />

GSK is a very diverse company full<br />

of opportunity. Being such a large<br />

organisation, strong communication skills<br />

(both verbal and written) are important.<br />

Having good time management, flexibility<br />

and organisational skills is also key as<br />

work can (and does) vary on a daily<br />

basis. Within the roles I have had, good<br />

problem solving skills and understanding<br />

the importance of effective stakeholder<br />

management are also areas that have<br />

helped me succeed.<br />

What do you enjoy most about your<br />

industry?<br />

It is not always easy to feel that you<br />

are helping people on a daily basis,<br />

but the work that GSK does both in the<br />

development of their products, and the<br />

support they provide to communities is<br />

fantastic. I get visibility of the business<br />

and genuinely feel that I am helping<br />

people to “do more, feel better and live<br />

longer”.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 47 / Pg. 122<br />

TOP 100 pos. 70 / Pg. 78<br />

TOP 100 pos. 85 / Pg. 80<br />

TOP 35 pos. 22 / Pg. 202<br />

TOP 35 pos. 26 / Pg. 194<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 41


FASHION<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

65%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

Many roles in this industry require<br />

you to have great creative skills, an<br />

understanding of texture, colours and<br />

fabrics and how they can be used<br />

together.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

Fashion is huge, meaning there<br />

are plenty of great work experience<br />

opportunities. Previous students have<br />

worked as buyer admin assistants,<br />

in retail management, assistant<br />

merchandising and as PR assistants.<br />

Find reviews for these jobs on<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

Fashion companies want students<br />

who can bring a unique perspective to<br />

fashion. Creativity and a wide source of<br />

inspiration alongside the desire to work<br />

hard and tackle lots of varying tasks are<br />

key benefits to anyone looking to enter<br />

the fashion industry.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

If you forge a career for yourself in<br />

fashion, you’ll get to enjoy all the perks<br />

of the industry, such as the chance to<br />

execute your creative ideas, attend<br />

glitzy fashion shows and awards, and<br />

potentially travel the world.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

In many fashion roles, you’ll typically<br />

have to work to a ‘brief’ – this is an<br />

outline of what your client / manager<br />

wants. You’ll be expected to predict<br />

trends and work to them.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

On a placement or internship, you’ll get<br />

the chance to take part in varied activities<br />

on a daily basis that will improve your<br />

skills. You’ll also get the chance to learn<br />

from talented and experienced designers<br />

and experts.<br />

42 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Nawaal thinks...<br />

Nawaal Qureshi<br />

Company<br />

New Look<br />

Position<br />

Merchandise Admin<br />

Assistant (MAA)<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

I obtained an undergraduate degree in<br />

Financial Computing from Brunel University,<br />

I then attended Bournemouth University<br />

to pursue a Masters degree in Retail<br />

Management.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

Retail is widely known to be the fastest<br />

growing industry; constantly evolving. Even<br />

during times of economic downturn, the<br />

retail industry changes to keep up with the<br />

changing economy.<br />

What is your top tip for working in this<br />

industry?<br />

To be fashion forward and minded, act with<br />

pace and think customer!<br />

“We work at the heart of trade<br />

and get frequent updates on<br />

daily sales, which motivates the<br />

team to perform at optimum<br />

level.”<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in your industry?<br />

To be analytical, but fashion thinking.<br />

Always keep the customer first. Be sure<br />

you’re good at Excel!<br />

What differentiates your industry from<br />

others?<br />

It’s an evolving industry which strives to<br />

stay current.<br />

Describe the workload and<br />

responsibility given to students in<br />

your industry.<br />

For graduates that apply to be<br />

merchandising admin assistants, the<br />

responsibility given to us is fairly significant.<br />

We are to ensure that stock arrives into the<br />

business within the correct time frame and<br />

to ensure supplier relations are kept well!<br />

What do you enjoy most about your<br />

industry?<br />

We work at the heart of trade and get<br />

frequent updates on daily sales, which<br />

motivates the team to perform at optimum<br />

level. <strong>The</strong> best thing about retail is watching<br />

the process of stock from start to finish, and<br />

to see a product go through its life cycle!<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 54 / Pg. 74<br />

TOP 35 pos. 5 / Pg. 228<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 43


CONSUMER GOODS<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

54%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

This depends on which area you’re<br />

working in. In shopper marketing you’ll<br />

need to be able to utilise insights from<br />

research, whereas in brand marketing<br />

you’ll need conceptual ability and<br />

knowledge of global markets.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

Previous years’ students have<br />

undertaken work experience in<br />

marketing co-ordinator, creative<br />

services, sales and marketing<br />

and design and marketing roles.<br />

Find reviews for roles like this on<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

People who are interested in meeting<br />

consumer demands, while also helping<br />

the business operate effectively and<br />

minimise costs, so if you are businessminded<br />

and results-driven, they’ll want<br />

you.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are many reasons to work in<br />

consumer goods. You get to work with<br />

world-famous brands that are used by<br />

millions of people and spearhead new<br />

and innovative products that could<br />

potentially become market-leaders.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

As many major companies operate<br />

globally and have hundreds of offices,<br />

to get far in this sector it’s beneficial to<br />

have awareness of international markets,<br />

while language skills will also be highlybeneficial.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

Many businesses use their placements<br />

and internships to sound out the next<br />

generation of talent, so if you do well<br />

on work experience you’ll have a good<br />

chance of being fast-tracked onto a<br />

graduate scheme.<br />

44 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Matthew thinks...<br />

Matthew Coope<br />

Company<br />

L’Oreal UK & Ireland<br />

Position<br />

Luxe and Active Cosmetic<br />

Division Master Data<br />

Manager<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

Summer Intern in 2011. Joined the<br />

Supply Chain Scheme Jun 2013. Been a<br />

Supply Planner, led Supply Planning on a<br />

transformation project working in London<br />

and Paris, now I’m Master Data Manager for<br />

2 divisions.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

I knew I didn’t want to go into Engineering<br />

after my degree. While I enjoyed the<br />

problem solving and analysis side of it, I<br />

wanted to apply those skills in a business<br />

environment. I chose to work in the<br />

beauty industry because of its dynamic,<br />

fast paced nature and highly relatable<br />

products.<br />

“It constantly pushes the way<br />

we do business, and challenges<br />

us to come up with new innovate<br />

solutions to meet our customer’s<br />

needs.”<br />

What is your top tip for working in this<br />

industry?<br />

I would say working in any industry<br />

prioritisation skills and attention to<br />

detail are vital. For Supply Chain I<br />

would recommend learning everything<br />

you can about your brands and current<br />

consumer behaviour and using that to<br />

drive decisions. At the end of the day it all<br />

comes down to the customer.<br />

What differentiates your industry from<br />

others?<br />

This industry has some of the most<br />

advanced, dynamic Supply Chains in the<br />

world. It constantly pushes the way we do<br />

business, and challenges us to come up<br />

with new innovate solutions to meet our<br />

customer’s needs. Personally I can really<br />

relate to the products and the consumers<br />

(being one myself).<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in your industry?<br />

A certain amount of resilience and<br />

determination will help in this industry,<br />

but also having a genuine interest in the<br />

products and the industry as a whole<br />

helps with the context of your daily tasks<br />

and ultimately helps you to make the best<br />

decisions for the business and helps you<br />

stand out.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 16<br />

TOP 100 pos. 27 / Pg. 138<br />

TOP 100 pos. 80<br />

TOP 35 pos. 3 / Pg. 204<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 45


HOSPITALITY, LEISURE,<br />

TRAVEL & TOURISM<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

60%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

Teamwork skills are important in every<br />

industry, but few more than hospitality.<br />

Whichever role you find yourself in,<br />

you’ll need to be able to work with<br />

other people well and communicate<br />

effectively with customers.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are hundreds of reviews for<br />

placements and internships on<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk, including<br />

jobs like spa attendant, management<br />

trainee, product assistant, meeting and<br />

events executive and cruise trading<br />

assistant.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

Companies in this industry want people<br />

who are passionate about delivering<br />

great experiences, are flexible in their<br />

approach to work and bring enthusiasm<br />

to everything they do, as well as working<br />

well with others.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

If you ever wanted to work in a sector<br />

that offers variety, this is it. You could<br />

work in anything from a hotel to a health<br />

club, a restaurant to a catering company<br />

or a holiday company to a tour operator.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

<strong>The</strong> hospitality and tourism sector is<br />

dependent on people enjoying their<br />

experiences, so you’ll be expected to<br />

work well in customer-facing roles,<br />

inspiring and satisfying your clients and<br />

always meeting customer expectations.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

A placement or internship can give you<br />

real experience of working in this sector,<br />

so you can see what it takes to make it<br />

in an industry that focuses on customersatisfaction<br />

and makes up a large part of<br />

the economy.<br />

46 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Abby thinks...<br />

Abby Doyle<br />

Company<br />

Enterprise Rent-A-Car<br />

Position<br />

Area Manager<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

I read Criminology & Psychology at the<br />

University Of Southampton. As an Area<br />

Manager, I develop future leaders and<br />

ensure that we are industry leaders<br />

in customer service. I started as a<br />

Management Trainee and was promoted to<br />

Area Manager in three years.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

This industry provides you with great job<br />

variety. It also helps you to strengthen<br />

and build confidence with communication<br />

skills, teamwork, leadership and sales in<br />

a fast-paced environment.<br />

“If you want a company that<br />

allows you to run your own<br />

business and gives you full<br />

autonomy to make decisions,<br />

Enterprise can give you that.”<br />

promote from within so you know that<br />

your performance will help create the<br />

next opportunity for progression. You are<br />

given a great deal of autonomy, even as<br />

an intern.<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in your industry?<br />

You need to enjoy working, providing<br />

outstanding customer service, and<br />

meeting new people. Having a positive<br />

and enthusiastic approach to the job is a<br />

must. Since the environment can be very<br />

fast-paced, you need to be able to make<br />

good business decisions at short notice.<br />

What advice would you give to others<br />

considering a career in your industry?<br />

If you want a company that allows you to<br />

run your own business and gives you full<br />

autonomy to make decisions, Enterprise<br />

can give you that. Your career is in your<br />

own hands and performance results are<br />

valued higher than tenure.<br />

What is your top tip for working in this<br />

industry?<br />

Always listen to your customers and<br />

employees. Be flexible in your approach<br />

and ensure your communication skills can<br />

be adapted to each customer to ensure<br />

they are completely satisfied.<br />

What differentiates your industry from<br />

others?<br />

<strong>The</strong> interaction you can have with such<br />

a diverse range of people. We also<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 22 / Pg. 112<br />

TOP 35 pos. 4 / Pg. 234<br />

TOP 5 pos. Winner / Pg. 238<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 47


INVESTMENT<br />

BANKING<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

74%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

It’s an industry that calls for<br />

undergraduates who are sharp-minded<br />

and quick to understand new concepts,<br />

as well as those who can cope with the<br />

stress that comes from working in a<br />

fast-paced, always-moving industry.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

On RateMyPlacement.co.uk we have<br />

thousands of investment banking job<br />

reviews. Previous students who have<br />

reviewed their experiences worked in<br />

roles including regulatory reporting,<br />

sales and trading, asset management,<br />

as summer analysts and operations<br />

interns.<br />

What investment banks want<br />

Big banks take on students from a range<br />

of backgrounds because it creates a team<br />

with diverse skills, though you’ll need to<br />

show an interest in finance.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

Aside from pay and bonuses, which can<br />

be very generous, you’ll become highlyskilled<br />

and gain transferable skills, as<br />

well as having a chance to work abroad.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

You’ll need to show employers you<br />

are a problem solver and demonstrate<br />

leadership skills. You’ll also have to be<br />

good at liaising with clients and assisting<br />

on projects.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

You get time to learn about the industry<br />

and whether you’re suited to it, as well<br />

as a chance to impress the company and<br />

show you have hunger to succeed in a<br />

competitive sector.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

48 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Saba thinks...<br />

Saba Danish<br />

Company<br />

Morgan Stanley<br />

Position<br />

Executive Director,<br />

Credit Sales<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

Saba graduated from UCL with a BA in<br />

English and French and an MA in English.<br />

She spent some time travelling and working<br />

as a freelance journalist at Vogue, <strong>The</strong><br />

Guardian and <strong>The</strong> Observer before joining<br />

Morgan Stanley’s Fixed Income Analyst<br />

programme in 2003.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

I enjoy what I do – working on the Credit<br />

Sales desk, covering banks, hedge funds<br />

and large institutional clients. It’s an<br />

incredibly dynamic role, in a frequently<br />

intense and high-pressure environment,<br />

in which excellent communication skills,<br />

diplomacy and an ability to negotiate play<br />

a critical part.<br />

“Students are encouraged to<br />

show initiative and prove what<br />

they’re capable of.”<br />

What is your top tip for working in<br />

your industry?<br />

Obviously different roles require different<br />

skill sets but being persuasive, being<br />

able to manage pressure, being adept at<br />

cultivating and managing relationships<br />

– both internally and externally – and<br />

general resilience are universally<br />

applicable.<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in Investment Banking?<br />

Energy, creativity, an unswerving work<br />

ethic, humility, the ability to think on your<br />

feet, and a very thick skin are all skills<br />

and characteristics that are needed in<br />

order to do well within this industry.<br />

Describe the workload and<br />

responsibility given to students in<br />

Investment Banking schemes<br />

One of the most remarkable things<br />

about the opportunity given to students<br />

in Investment Banking is the level of<br />

accountability awarded at a very early<br />

stage. Students are encouraged to show<br />

initiative and prove what they’re capable<br />

of – if they outperform they are given<br />

more.<br />

What do you enjoy most about<br />

Investment Banking?<br />

Investment Banking is a true meritocracy,<br />

where the measure of success is<br />

extremely precise and the culture is<br />

far more collegiate, supportive and<br />

collaborative than many people might<br />

have expected.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 2<br />

TOP 100 pos. 6 / Pg. 118<br />

TOP 100 pos. 7 / Pg. 150<br />

TOP 100 pos. 23 / Pg. 156<br />

TOP 100 pos. 28<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 49


INVESTMENT<br />

MANAGEMENT<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

56%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

Investment managers help clients make<br />

decisions about where they want to put<br />

their money and earn great returns, so<br />

you need to have strong research skills,<br />

understand markets and products and<br />

have an analytical, numerate mind.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

In the past, students have worked<br />

in many different roles, like financial<br />

analyst, financial services intern,<br />

marketing finance analyst and<br />

trainee wealth adviser. Head to<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk to read<br />

reviews about their experiences.<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

Investment management companies<br />

need people who can help clients make<br />

money. This involves creating investment<br />

portfolios, so you’ll need knowledge<br />

of different markets and strong risk<br />

assessment skills.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

By starting off in financial management,<br />

you’ll get to work on projects that will<br />

expand your skill set, such as creating<br />

investment strategies, meeting clients<br />

and managing risk.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

You’ll need your A-game for work<br />

experience in this role, because the work<br />

can be demanding and the hours long.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

If this is your first taste of a professional<br />

role, a placement or internship will help<br />

you develop great skills, like the ability to<br />

produce reports, work with financial data<br />

and understand global markets.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

50 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Fiona thinks...<br />

Fiona Davy<br />

Company<br />

Fidelity International<br />

Position<br />

Director of Research<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

I studied Modern Languages at Cambridge.<br />

Being at Fidelity helped develop my<br />

passion for understanding how companies<br />

tick, including three years as an assistant<br />

portfolio manager on a European diversified<br />

portfolio. 10 years on and I’ve followed<br />

companies in all kinds of sectors. I’m now a<br />

Director of Research.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

<strong>The</strong> variety. It sounds clichéd but<br />

genuinely no two days are the same.<br />

You can wake up in the morning with a<br />

plan, but if one of the companies you<br />

are looking at has a profit warning, or<br />

perhaps they make an acquisition, then<br />

all bets are off.<br />

“Do your homework, and read<br />

the Financial Times for at least<br />

10 minutes each day. Each sector<br />

has specific terminology and the<br />

FT will help you pick all this up.”<br />

What is your top tip for working in<br />

your industry?<br />

Read, read and read. <strong>The</strong>n read some<br />

more! <strong>The</strong>re are lots of helpful investment<br />

books out there, but the Financial Times<br />

is a good place to start. It helps you<br />

get used to the jargon that is used day<br />

in, day out, and it eventually becomes<br />

second nature to you.<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in Investment Management?<br />

Flexibility and adaptability are key<br />

attributes which contribute to being<br />

successful in investment management.<br />

It’s also very important that you have<br />

an inquisitive mind. Asking intelligent<br />

questions holds the key to any investment<br />

decision, and therefore plays a large role<br />

in your success.<br />

What advice would you share to others<br />

considering a career in Investment<br />

Management?<br />

Do your homework, and read the<br />

Financial Times for at least 10 minutes<br />

each day. Each sector has specific<br />

terminology and the FT will help you pick<br />

all this up.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 17 / Pg. 132<br />

TOP 100 pos. 35<br />

TOP 100 pos. 42<br />

TOP 100 pos. 44 / Pg. 116<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 51


IT<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

36%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

As the technical sector continues to<br />

mature – and Big Data and the Internet<br />

of Things become ever more important<br />

– IT experts who can manage,<br />

administer and understand databases<br />

and networks effectively will be in<br />

greater demand.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

Students have worked in roles including<br />

operations specialist, solutions /<br />

systems engineer, IT business analyst<br />

and back-end development. Check out<br />

reviews at RateMyPlacement.co.uk.<br />

What do IT companies want?<br />

Businesses want students who are<br />

interested in technology, so ideally you<br />

need to show that you’re up to date with<br />

developments and new releases in the<br />

industry (e.g. latest software versions).<br />

Why choose IT?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are many reasons to pick an<br />

IT career – the sector is growing and<br />

many companies need IT specialists<br />

now, so job opportunities exist in most<br />

companies.<br />

What’s expected of you?<br />

Again, expectations depend on the role.<br />

If you’re a network engineer, you’ll be<br />

responsible for building communications<br />

networks, while system managers<br />

look after companies’ internal IT<br />

infrastructures.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

A benefit of IT work experience is that<br />

you can apply technical skills to a range<br />

of different roles, so you have freedom<br />

to move around. Also, companies of all<br />

sizes now need IT experts, so there are<br />

opportunities everywhere.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

52 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Judith thinks...<br />

Judith Alexander<br />

Company<br />

PwC<br />

Position<br />

Associate Technology<br />

Consultant<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

After graduating with a degree in Business<br />

Management from Queens University,<br />

Belfast in July 2015, I joined PwC’s<br />

Foundations Northern Ireland Graduate<br />

Programme in September 2015 and became<br />

a part of the Enterprise Applications team<br />

within Technology Consulting in Belfast. I<br />

was enrolled on multiple training courses<br />

within Oracle applications. I have since<br />

gained 2 qualifications in ISTQB Software<br />

Testing and Prince 2 Project Management.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

Studying Business Management at<br />

University, I found myself immersed in<br />

articles around companies fuelled by<br />

disruptive innovation – it was apparent<br />

in every industry. It didn’t take a CEO<br />

mentality to acknowledge the growing<br />

trend that a majority of this disruption was<br />

instigated by technology – making it an<br />

exciting and fast paced industry to get<br />

involved in.<br />

it can transform an entire organisation<br />

that may appear to be working efficiently.<br />

What differentiates your industry from<br />

others?<br />

Technology is a unique industry<br />

because of the continuous growth and<br />

innovation globally. In the world we live<br />

in, Technology is in high demand, which<br />

makes it a great industry to be part of.<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in your industry?<br />

I believe success in this industry is built<br />

on a foundation of passion and interest<br />

in Technology. As long as you have the<br />

desire to learn, explore and improve, you<br />

will be able to succeed.<br />

“Technology is in high demand,<br />

which makes it a great industry<br />

to be part of.”<br />

What is your top tip for working in this<br />

industry?<br />

My top tip would be to work every day<br />

with an open mind – it is amazing how<br />

technology can disrupt an industry or how<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 10 / Pg. 160<br />

TOP 100 pos. 12 / Pg. 124<br />

TOP 35 pos. 2 / Pg. 216<br />

TOP 35 pos. 10 / Pg. 208<br />

TOP 35 pos. 23 / Pg. 196<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 53


LAW<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

65%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

It’s crucial that you have strong<br />

communication skills in this sector. This<br />

isn’t just about knowing what to say<br />

and saying it with conviction – it’s about<br />

being able to listen.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

Legal work experience opportunities<br />

are generally known as vacation<br />

schemes. You don’t just have to be<br />

doing law to undertake one – in fact<br />

many firms take on a mixture of law<br />

and non-law students.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

Law firms want people who can show that<br />

they have the potential to earn a training<br />

contract. This means you should be able<br />

to present sound arguments, work with all<br />

kinds of people and enthusiastically take<br />

on research tasks.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

If you want a career that really does push<br />

you, then consider a career in law. You<br />

get to work on challenging cases, help<br />

people in need and potentially earn a top<br />

salary too.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

You’ll need to be adaptable on a vacation<br />

scheme, because your experience may<br />

vary. Some days you may be shadowing<br />

one colleague, while on others you may<br />

be picking up assignments from whoever<br />

needs help in the office.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

Work experience in the form of vacation<br />

schemes is great because it gives you<br />

a chance to shadow legal professionals<br />

and see what the day-to-day job really<br />

involves. Firms also expect graduates to<br />

have prior experience.<br />

54 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Matthew thinks...<br />

Matthew Kenwood<br />

Company<br />

Shoosmiths LLP<br />

Position<br />

Partner in the Real Estate<br />

Practice Group based in<br />

Nottingham<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

After studying law at the University of<br />

Nottingham and the Legal Practice Course<br />

at Nottingham Law School I trained as a<br />

solicitor with Shoosmiths. I have been a<br />

partner since 2004 and work in the real<br />

estate team dealing with transactions<br />

relating to commercial properties including<br />

shopping centres, high street, industrial and<br />

investment premises.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

As a commercial lawyer I have always<br />

enjoyed managing transactions for<br />

my clients and seeing them through<br />

to a successful conclusion. It’s really<br />

rewarding to be involved in deals that<br />

make a difference to the success of your<br />

clients’ businesses.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> law doesn’t stay still and<br />

is constantly developing with<br />

new legislation and cases. It’s<br />

definitely never boring!”<br />

What differentiates your industry from<br />

other industries?<br />

Law is an intellectually stimulating<br />

industry with a lot of very technical issues<br />

and negotiations but at the same time it’s<br />

very people-focused with a lot of our time<br />

spent talking to clients and other lawyers.<br />

It’s also very dynamic - the law doesn’t<br />

stay still and is constantly developing with<br />

new legislation and cases. It’s definitely<br />

never boring!<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in your industry?<br />

Attention to detail is a vital skill for any<br />

lawyer. We often have to read through a<br />

lot of information to pick out crucial points<br />

and an ability to analyse documents<br />

thoroughly and efficiently is important.<br />

Being good with people, especially having<br />

good listening skills, and being able to<br />

think on your feet are also absolutely<br />

crucial.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

What is your top tip for working in<br />

your industry?<br />

Always look at every situation from<br />

all angles. We have to be able to give<br />

our clients the best possible advice in<br />

every scenario and to do so we need to<br />

recognise our clients’ overall aims as well<br />

as appreciating all the individual details.<br />

TOP 100 pos. 16 / Pg. 68<br />

TOP 100 pos. 37 / Pg. 98<br />

TOP 100 pos. 38 / Pg. 152<br />

TOP 100 pos. 41 / Pg. 166<br />

TOP 100 pos. 67 / Pg. 174<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 55


PROPERTY<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

50%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

If you’re working in property and real<br />

estate, you’ll need to have drive and<br />

powers of persuasion in order to close<br />

deals with prospective buyers and<br />

make sales. You’ll need to be open to<br />

negotiation.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

You’ll find hundreds of property<br />

placement and internship reviews on<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk. Previous<br />

students have worked in internal<br />

communications, building surveying, as<br />

a trainee surveyor, estate agents and<br />

even town planning.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

56 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

Surveying companies need people who<br />

can assess properties, work in line<br />

with regulations and manage planning<br />

applications. Estate agents need people<br />

who can meet each of their client’s needs<br />

and present properties in a friendly,<br />

confident manner.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

In property, you get to work on major<br />

projects that could be anything from<br />

a new airport terminal to a hospital<br />

or apartment block. You’ll have the<br />

opportunity to meet people and visit<br />

property sites.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

Whichever area of property you’re in,<br />

you need to be commercially-aware and<br />

up to date with the housing market. New<br />

legislations and developments crop up all<br />

the time, as do disputes and valuations,<br />

so you need to be on the top of this.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

On a placement or internship, you’ll learn<br />

a lot about different property markets, like<br />

residential, commercial and industrial.<br />

You may also get to research new<br />

development possibilities and manage<br />

client enquiries.


What Imogen thinks...<br />

Imogen Hives<br />

Company<br />

Savills (UK) Ltd<br />

Position<br />

Graduate Surveyor<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

I studied Archaeology at the University of<br />

Bristol, after I gained a Masters in Real<br />

Estate from Oxford Brookes. I am currently<br />

a second year rotational Graduate Surveyor.<br />

Prior to joining Savills, I spent one month on<br />

the Summer Scheme.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

I decided to pursue a career in the property<br />

industry as I was keen to work within<br />

the built environment sector. I was also<br />

attracted by the diverse nature of surveying<br />

and the opportunity it presents to work both<br />

regionally and internationally.<br />

“Pay attention to detail in all<br />

elements of your work and take<br />

accurate notes when discussing<br />

projects with your team and<br />

clients.”<br />

What is your top tip for working in this<br />

industry?<br />

Pay attention to detail in all elements of<br />

your work and take accurate notes when<br />

discussing projects with your team and<br />

clients. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to<br />

clarify areas of uncertainty and always act<br />

with enthusiasm.<br />

What differentiates your industry from<br />

others?<br />

<strong>The</strong> diverse nature of the industry means<br />

that you draw on the expertise of colleagues<br />

and external surveyors to help support your<br />

work. It is therefore an immensely sociable<br />

and team orientated area of business.<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in your industry?<br />

<strong>The</strong> ability to work well within a team<br />

environment is highly conducive to the<br />

property industry, as are communication<br />

skills. Enthusiasm and an outgoing nature<br />

are also important given the social nature of<br />

surveying.<br />

Describe the workload and<br />

responsibility given to students in<br />

your industry.<br />

Students are encouraged to take a central<br />

role in projects within the team. Provided<br />

they complete work to the expected<br />

standard and show initiative, students will<br />

often gain exposure to leading instructions<br />

and attend client meetings.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 43 / Pg. 170<br />

TOP 100 pos. 51<br />

TOP 100 pos. 62<br />

TOP 100 pos. 63 / Pg. 104<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 57


RETAIL<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

66%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

<strong>The</strong> world of retail is driven by<br />

commercial success. Retailers have<br />

to stay current and predict consumer<br />

trends, so students really have to show<br />

that they are business-minded enough<br />

to make a positive impact.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

It’s safe to say that there are probably<br />

more roles in this industry than any<br />

other. RateMyPlacement.co.uk has<br />

reviews for roles like food technology<br />

placement, trainee commercial<br />

manager, retail assistant and business<br />

placement programme.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

Retail companies want people who are<br />

leaders, great organisers and target<br />

driven. This means showing that you<br />

are proactive and aren’t scared to put<br />

yourself forward for managing projects<br />

and being accountable.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

A major reason for choosing to work<br />

in the retail sector is the sheer range<br />

of roles you can get involved in. You<br />

could work in logistics, merchandising,<br />

store management, operations, design,<br />

marketing and sales and more besides.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

If you say you’re going to do something,<br />

you need to make sure you go through<br />

with it and show that you can be trusted.<br />

This could involve driving sales and<br />

ensuring that team members deliver<br />

outstanding customer service.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

You’ll get to work on real projects that<br />

could impact the retailer’s national stores.<br />

This could include designing leaflets,<br />

managing stock levels to make sure<br />

there’s enough, and gaining experience<br />

on the shop floor.<br />

58 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What George thinks...<br />

George Melville<br />

Company<br />

Lidl UK<br />

Position<br />

Supply Chain Consultant<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

I spent two modules in sales, one module<br />

within the supply chain department and<br />

one module working with the logistics team<br />

in the regional distribution centre. <strong>The</strong><br />

experience helped me decide what path<br />

I wanted to choose after completing my<br />

degree.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

I saw aspects of each department and<br />

was well informed about a career in<br />

supply chain. I decided upon the retail<br />

industry as I thoroughly enjoyed my<br />

experience and saw first-hand the<br />

responsibility that can be obtained within<br />

relatively short periods of time.<br />

“Having confidence in your<br />

ability to make these decisions<br />

is key when dealing with a wide<br />

range of stakeholders.”<br />

What is your top tip for working in this<br />

industry?<br />

Never be afraid to ask questions<br />

as there is so much to learn. I have<br />

encountered numerous colleagues with<br />

vast experience in the industry, who are<br />

continuously learning new things.<br />

What differentiates your industry from<br />

others?<br />

No two days are the same. <strong>The</strong><br />

stakeholders that I encounter and meet<br />

with on a day to day basis are completely<br />

varied, ensuring that the working day flies<br />

exceptionally quickly.<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in your industry?<br />

Perseverance and self-confidence. You<br />

will find yourself needing to learn fast and<br />

make key decisions; having confidence<br />

in your ability to make these decisions is<br />

key when dealing with a wide range of<br />

stakeholders.<br />

What do you enjoy most about your<br />

industry?<br />

It’s the fast paced environment of supply<br />

chain I enjoy most. A new challenge<br />

is presented on a daily basis. Making<br />

store level changes to merchandising<br />

plans and seeing them when I am out<br />

shopping is another aspect of the job that<br />

I thoroughly enjoy!<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 22 / Pg. 112<br />

TOP 100 pos. 36 / Pg. 140<br />

TOP 100 pos. 45 / Pg. 66<br />

TOP 100 pos. 61 / Pg. 182<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 59


SCIENCE<br />

& RESEARCH<br />

Average retention rate of<br />

undergraduates returning<br />

as graduates:<br />

31%<br />

Key skills for this industry<br />

As one of the most technical sectors,<br />

you need to have an interest in<br />

science to work in this field. A broad<br />

understanding of science, combined<br />

with expertise in your chosen area, is<br />

crucial.<br />

Typical opportunites<br />

RateMyPlacement.co.uk has thousands<br />

of science placement and internship<br />

reviews online, for roles like research<br />

scientist, mechanical engineer,<br />

electrical engineer, operations analyst<br />

and R&D software developer intern.<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

What do these companies want?<br />

Companies in this sector need people<br />

who are naturally inquisitive and have<br />

a genuine interest in science. It’s all<br />

about consuming knowledge, applying<br />

what you’ve learned and doing research,<br />

in order to make new discoveries and<br />

improve processes.<br />

Why choose this sector?<br />

Discoveries made by scientists are at the<br />

heart of society. If you are curious and<br />

want to work on diverse projects, like<br />

fighting diseases, developing antibiotics<br />

or improving energy to name a few,<br />

science and research is for you.<br />

What’s expected from you?<br />

This industry doesn’t just involve thinking<br />

about equations or Petri dishes all day.<br />

You also need to bring more general skills<br />

to the fore, like the ability to lead teams<br />

and even handle project budgets.<br />

Benefits of work experience<br />

On a placement or internship, you’ll be<br />

expected to take on real responsibility.<br />

This could involve carrying out your own<br />

research projects and experiments for<br />

major pharmaceutical, engineering and<br />

aeronautical companies.<br />

60 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Allan thinks...<br />

Allan Macrae<br />

Company<br />

Johnson & Johnson<br />

Position<br />

Principal Engineer,<br />

Research &<br />

Development<br />

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE<br />

About<br />

Allan studied BEng Electronic and<br />

Information Engineering at Robert Gordon<br />

University. He has been at Johnson &<br />

Johnson for over 9 years, and started as a<br />

Software Engineer, working in Research<br />

and Development on new Blood Glucose<br />

meter developments. He is now an R&D<br />

principal engineer working in Lifecycle<br />

management.<br />

Why your industry?<br />

Purely because of the benefit it has to<br />

our users/customers. <strong>The</strong> products we<br />

make not only help the user in their daily<br />

activities but could help save their life.<br />

“You need to show a willingness to<br />

get involved by getting stuck in.”<br />

What is your top tip for working in<br />

your industry?<br />

Know your customer and specifically,<br />

the problem area you are addressing.<br />

You need to understand that you will<br />

not be developing or selling a product<br />

to be bought on mass. <strong>The</strong> needs of the<br />

customer will drive the end product, don’t<br />

start with a solution and think backwards.<br />

What differentiates your industry from<br />

other industries?<br />

<strong>The</strong> direct benefit you have to a user.<br />

Allowing them to get on with their lives<br />

and not to be constrained by their<br />

disease.<br />

Which personality traits or skills aid<br />

success in your industry?<br />

Each area requires different technical<br />

skills for the specific function so you need<br />

to have a good grounding in your chosen<br />

field. You need to show a willingness<br />

to get involved by getting stuck in. And<br />

also acknowledge that a successful team<br />

works out solutions together, not always<br />

as individuals.<br />

What do you enjoy most about your<br />

industry?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are lots of departments I have to<br />

interact with, from Marketing to Clinical.<br />

I think because of the product type and<br />

industry, we attract a certain type of<br />

person. It is not all about new technology,<br />

the next big thing, but how we can impact<br />

people’s health and well-being.<br />

Industry <strong>Employers</strong><br />

TOP 100 pos. 24 / Pg. 144<br />

TOP 100 pos. 47 / Pg. 122<br />

TOP 100 pos. 82 / Pg. 136<br />

TOP 100 pos. 97<br />

TOP 100 pos. 99 / Pg. 76<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 61


Company Position Page Company Position Page<br />

3M 89 64<br />

Accenture 71<br />

Aldi 45 66<br />

Allen & Overy 16 68<br />

Allianz UK 88 70<br />

American Express 20 72<br />

Aon 83<br />

Arup 30<br />

ASOS 54 74<br />

AstraZeneca 99 76<br />

Atkins 70 78<br />

BAE Systems 85 80<br />

Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2<br />

Bank of England 77 82<br />

Barclays 19 84<br />

BDO 52 86<br />

BlackRock 35<br />

Bloomberg LP 26 88<br />

BMW Group 87 90<br />

BP 50 92<br />

BuroHappold Engineering 84<br />

Cancer Research UK 40 94<br />

Caterpillar 95<br />

Centrica 68 96<br />

Citi 28<br />

CMS UK 37 98<br />

Costain 96<br />

Credit Suisse 9 100<br />

Cummins 14 102<br />

Cushman & Wakefield 63 104<br />

Deloitte 32 106<br />

DSTL 94<br />

Eaton 79 108<br />

EDF Energy 100 110<br />

Enterprise Rent-A-Car 22 112<br />

EY 13 114<br />

Faurecia 98<br />

Fidelity International 44 116<br />

Financial Conduct Authority<br />

(FCA)<br />

64<br />

Goldman Sachs Group 6 118<br />

Grant Thornton 3 120<br />

GlaxoSmithKline 47 122<br />

Hays 5<br />

Herbert Smith Freehills 15<br />

Hogan Lovells 29<br />

HP 12 124<br />

HSBC 60 128<br />

IBM 58 130<br />

Imagination Technologies 91<br />

Intel Corporation 53<br />

J.P. Morgan 17 132<br />

Jaguar Land Rover 39 134<br />

JLL 51<br />

John Lewis Partnership 90<br />

Johnson & Johnson 82 136<br />

KPMG 21<br />

L'Oreal 27 138<br />

Lidl 36 140<br />

Linklaters 48<br />

Lloyds Banking Group 49 142<br />

Lubrizol 24 144<br />

M&G Investments 42<br />

Mace Ltd 62<br />

Metaswitch Networks 69 146<br />

Microsoft 1 148<br />

Morgan Stanley 7 150<br />

Nabarro 38 152<br />

National Grid 46<br />

Network Rail 75 154<br />

Nomura 23 156<br />

PageGroup 57 158<br />

Pfizer 97<br />

Pinsent Masons LLP 18<br />

PwC 10 160<br />

RBC Capital Markets 65 162<br />

RBS 78 164<br />

Rolls-Royce 33<br />

Rothschild 11<br />

RPC 41 166<br />

Santander 93<br />

SAP 81 168<br />

Savills 43 170<br />

Schlumberger 72 172<br />

Shearman & Sterling LLP 59<br />

Shoosmiths 67 174<br />

Siemens 73 176<br />

Simmons & Simmons LLP 56<br />

Standard Life 34 178<br />

Taylor Wessing 8 180<br />

Teach First 76<br />

Tesco 61 182<br />

Willis Towers Watson 31<br />

Transport for London 74 184<br />

UBS 25 186<br />

Unilever 80<br />

Vauxhall 86 188<br />

Virgin Media 92<br />

Volkswagen Group UK Ltd 66<br />

Walt Disney 55 190<br />

Warner Bros 4


THE TOP 100<br />

UNDERGRADUATE<br />

EMPLOYERS <strong>2016</strong> - <strong>2017</strong><br />

Dont forget!<br />

<strong>The</strong> guide is colour coded along<br />

the left hand page for quick access<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 100<br />

Undergraduate<br />

<strong>Employers</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 35 Mediumsized<br />

Undergraduate<br />

Schemes<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 5 Small<br />

to Medium-sized<br />

Undergraduate<br />

<strong>Employers</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 63


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

89th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

16 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Engineering &<br />

Manufacturing<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 24<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Business, IT, R&D and<br />

Engineering<br />

Locations: Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: £18,000, 25 days holiday,<br />

Flexible Working, Subsidised Canteen, discount<br />

on 3M products & Social Events<br />

Entry Requirements: 300 UCAS points &<br />

predicted 2:1 in a relevant degree<br />

Application Process: Online Application,<br />

Online Aptitude Tests, Telephone Interview,<br />

Assessment Centre = Offer<br />

fb.me/3MUK<br />

How to apply<br />

With $32 billion sales, 3M employs<br />

89,000 people globally and has<br />

operations in more than 70 countries.<br />

<strong>The</strong> UK and Ireland is home to one of<br />

the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the<br />

USA, employing 2,900 people across 20<br />

locations, including 9 manufacturing sites.<br />

For over 110 years, 3M products have<br />

improved daily life for people all over the<br />

world. We have made driving at night<br />

easier, buildings safer, and consumer<br />

electronics lighter and less energyintensive.<br />

We even made our mark on the<br />

first moon landing!<br />

At 3M, one idea leads to the next. We<br />

tackle real-world problems with an array<br />

of innovative approaches, satisfying<br />

customers in fields as diverse as health<br />

care, personal safety, office products<br />

and transportation. You may already<br />

be familiar with some of the things we<br />

do – or maybe you interact with 3M<br />

technologies every day and are just not<br />

aware of it.<br />

If you are interested in applying yourself<br />

to improving the world, we’d like to hear<br />

from you!<br />

@3MUKRecruitment<br />

64 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Jack thinks...<br />

Jack Williams<br />

From<br />

University of Brighton<br />

Studying<br />

MEng Mechanical<br />

Engineering<br />

Position<br />

Product Development<br />

Engineer Industrial<br />

Placement Student<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

Enjoyable. After psychometric tests<br />

and a telephone interview, successful<br />

applicants are invited to an assessment<br />

centre. This included interviews, a group<br />

exercise, and a presentation. However,<br />

from my perspective it was an opportunity<br />

to get a taste of 3M to make sure it felt<br />

like the sort of company I wanted to work<br />

for.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I was given the same responsibility as<br />

a fully-fledged team member. This was<br />

quite daunting at first, but my confidence<br />

grew and before I knew it people had<br />

forgotten my “student status” and I was<br />

able to settle in and find my own niche<br />

within the team.<br />

“3M is hugely diverse. Being<br />

able to experience projects in<br />

a vast array of businesses has<br />

definitely aided my personal<br />

development.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

It’s difficult not to state the obvious,<br />

but they really do apply. Enthusiasm,<br />

teamwork & flexibility. All favourable<br />

attributes! Practice and preparation is<br />

valued and you will receive credit from<br />

the hiring manager. It’s all about the effort<br />

I think.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> variety. 3M is hugely diverse. Being<br />

able to experience projects in a vast<br />

array of businesses has definitely aided<br />

my personal development. 3M has<br />

given me a taste of a number of vastly<br />

different business sectors and I now have<br />

a clearer picture of what I want in the<br />

future.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

3M runs an annual competition to<br />

highlight the ‘IP of the Year’ and I was<br />

delighted to win. It is the icing on the<br />

cake of a very productive and eventful<br />

placement year and something that<br />

will no doubt be extremely useful in my<br />

career.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

I think the most prevalent thing is the<br />

responsibility. Being able to work on<br />

placement, like I will after graduation,<br />

provides a real insight into my future<br />

career and it’s given me the inspiration<br />

and motivation I needed to return to Uni<br />

and really hit the ground running.<br />

@RateMyPlacement What a fantastic<br />

year working at 3M! I’ve led key projects,<br />

grown in confidence, had the opportunity to<br />

network and learnt so much about myself<br />

and my capabilities…all in 12 months.<br />

#UnforgettableExperience #3mers<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 65


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

45th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

32 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Retail<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: General Management,<br />

Corporate Buying, eCommerce and IT<br />

Locations: Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: £25,000 (pro-rata), 4 weeks<br />

holiday<br />

How to apply<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 50<br />

Entry Requirements: Minimum 240 UCAS<br />

points, predicted 2:1 degree<br />

Application Process: Online application<br />

form and tests, video application (General<br />

Management only), group interview, one-to-one<br />

interview<br />

fb.me/AldiCareersUK<br />

Aldi is one of the world’s leading<br />

retailers with over 630 stores in the UK.<br />

<strong>The</strong> company’s Industrial Placement<br />

programme offers unprecedented<br />

experience in a rapidly growing, energetic<br />

business across four business areas<br />

- General Management, Corporate<br />

Buying, eCommerce and IT. <strong>The</strong>se are<br />

placements for hard-working, passionate<br />

and inquisitive students who want<br />

to prove their value. In your chosen<br />

area, you’ll develop your skills across<br />

a number of teams. It’s a great way to<br />

begin to understand how all our different<br />

operations work together.<br />

You’ll need to be excited by the<br />

challenges of a major retailer – and the<br />

opportunities for early responsibility and<br />

exposure to a leading business. What’s<br />

more, you’ll be keen to make a big<br />

impression.<br />

Yes, it’ll be demanding – but we reward<br />

our people extremely well. You’ll get<br />

£25,000 for the 52 weeks you’re with us,<br />

receive 4 weeks’ holiday allowance, plus<br />

bank holidays. And of course you’ll have<br />

the chance to apply for a permanent role<br />

after graduation.<br />

@AldiCareersUK<br />

66 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Jess thinks...<br />

Jess<br />

From<br />

Oxford Brookes University<br />

Studying<br />

Business and Marketing<br />

Management<br />

Position<br />

Trainee Area Manager<br />

(former General<br />

Management Industrial<br />

Placement student)<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re were three stages – an initial<br />

online application, where I had to create<br />

a 5 minute video, a group assessment<br />

and a final face-to-face interview with the<br />

regional MD. I felt properly valued as a<br />

potential permanent employee.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

Quite simply, they expect you to<br />

deliver and are really not afraid to give<br />

you responsibility – no matter which<br />

placement you’re doing. <strong>The</strong>y’ll push you<br />

to exceed your own goals but will always<br />

give invaluable support to help you<br />

achieve them.<br />

“If you prove yourself, the<br />

opportunities are like no other.<br />

I may have been nervous on day<br />

one, but I found my stride really<br />

quickly.”<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

This is not just a year in industry – it’s a<br />

real job. And if you prove yourself, the<br />

opportunities are like no other. I may<br />

have been nervous on day one, but I<br />

found my stride really quickly. And as<br />

the year progressed I was even given<br />

responsibility for my own projects which<br />

had a real impact on the business.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

It’s incredibly welcoming but also very<br />

professional. Everyone truly understands<br />

their own roles – creating a very clear cut<br />

environment.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

For me, it was going into a store and<br />

basically taking the reins. A 20-year old,<br />

with little retail experience, managing<br />

people who’ve been there 20 years –<br />

it’s quite daunting. But I formed such a<br />

strong family bond with the team that it<br />

became the highlight of my placement.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

If you go in with a positive attitude and<br />

have determination, respect, resilience<br />

and an eagerness to learn – you’ll<br />

absolutely have the best year. I’ve<br />

completely changed as a person for the<br />

better and my maturity has skyrocketed.<br />

@RateMyPlacement This is a<br />

challenging placement where you’ll<br />

‘become Aldi’ , make the most of the<br />

opportunity and absolutely prove your worth<br />

#managermaterial<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 67


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

16th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

40 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Law<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Law<br />

Locations: London<br />

Salary & Benefits: £400 per week<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 75<br />

Entry Requirements: 2.1 (or equivilent) in any<br />

degree discipline and at least 340 UCAS points<br />

(AAB)<br />

Application Process: Full details about eligibility<br />

requirements and application deadlines are<br />

available on our website - aogradaute.com<br />

fb.me/allenoverygrads<br />

Allen & Overy is a pioneering legal<br />

practice operating around the world at the<br />

frontline of developing business. With 44<br />

offices in 31 countries, the firm is one of<br />

the few legal practices that can genuinely<br />

claim to be global, covering 99% of the<br />

world’s economy.<br />

Trainee lawyers joining the firm enter an<br />

environment characterised by innovative<br />

thinking and a global vision. <strong>The</strong>y are<br />

exposed to challenging and meaningful<br />

work from the outset, supporting a<br />

partner or senior associate in each of<br />

their training ‘seats’. In addition, they<br />

are encouraged to spend six months<br />

in one of the firm’s overseas offices, or<br />

on secondment to one of its corporate<br />

clients.<br />

Alongside a rich and exciting experience<br />

as a trainee, graduates can also look<br />

forward to world-class training and<br />

working in an open and supportive<br />

culture that values both teamwork and<br />

independent thought. Allen & Overy has<br />

established a reputation for combining<br />

the very highest professional standards<br />

with warmth and approachability.<br />

@AllenOveryGrads<br />

68 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


A career in law<br />

Setting precedents, not following them…<br />

Because tomorrow will not be like today.<br />

<strong>The</strong> practice of law is constantly evolving, and we take pride in being pioneers, in challenging the status<br />

quo and looking beyond what has been done before to create innovative solutions for our clients. It is<br />

this culture of forward thinking that has resulted in us being the only law firm to have featured in the<br />

top three of the Financial Times Innovative Law Firm ranking every year and to have topped the list<br />

four times.<br />

Last year we were named Graduate Employer of Choice in law by TARGETjobs for the 11 th year in a<br />

row and Times High Fliers Graduate Employer of Choice in law for a 6 th year. <strong>The</strong>re’s a reason for that.<br />

As a trainee at Allen & Overy you’ll be part of a truly global and collaborative team, working with bigname<br />

clients on the deals that make the front pages. Above all, your A&O Training Contract will give<br />

you a platform of skills and experiences on which to build a long-term career and our people agree: last<br />

year 98% said there were opportunities to grow and develop their skills here.<br />

Find out more at aograduate.com<br />

Follow the conversation @AllenOveryGrads |<br />

www.facebook.com/allenoverygrads


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

88th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

18 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Insurance<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Actuarial, Finance,<br />

Claims, IT, Marketing, Operations, Pricing &<br />

Portfolio Analyst, Underwriting<br />

Locations: Nationwide, 20+ offices<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary, holiday<br />

entitlement, training and development<br />

Entry Requirements: 300 UCAS points (340 for<br />

Actuarial) & on course for a 2:1 in any discipline<br />

Application Process: Application, tests, phone<br />

interview, assessment centre<br />

fb.me/allianz<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 60<br />

<strong>The</strong> Allianz Group is one of the leading<br />

integrated financial services providers<br />

worldwide and the largest property and<br />

casualty insurer in the world. We serve<br />

more than 85 million customers in over 70<br />

countries and provide peace of mind and<br />

protection in unforeseen circumstances,<br />

for individual private customers as well as<br />

large business clients. We currently have<br />

148,000 employees globally with 5,600<br />

employees in our UK insurance business<br />

at over 20 office locations.<br />

Allianz is big enough to give you<br />

plenty of opportunities, experience and<br />

responsibility, but not too big to not know<br />

your name and genuinely care about your<br />

career.<br />

Our 9 week summer internships and<br />

12 month placement programmes at<br />

locations across the UK have been<br />

designed to give you real responsibility<br />

and the opportunity to make a genuine<br />

contribution to the business.<br />

All our opportunities could lead to a<br />

permanent job offer with us on completion<br />

of your studies.<br />

@allianz<br />

70 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Hannah thinks...<br />

Hannah Upton<br />

From<br />

University of Sheffield<br />

Studying<br />

BSc Economics<br />

Position<br />

Fleet Underwriter<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

I had to complete an online application,<br />

numeric and verbal reasoning<br />

assessments, a telephone interview<br />

and finally an assessment centre. <strong>The</strong><br />

process was a challenging experience<br />

but one where you got the opportunity to<br />

show off your strengths.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Don’t be put off if you don’t know<br />

anything about insurance as the training<br />

and support from colleagues you receive<br />

is really good and you quickly pick things<br />

up. You also need to be willing to learn<br />

and open to experiencing a range of new<br />

things.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> atmosphere in the office<br />

is very welcoming with lots of<br />

highly experienced people”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> variety which it allowed; my team<br />

leader ensured I had different tasks and<br />

projects to work on over the duration of<br />

my internship. For example I was able to<br />

spend time on existing and new business,<br />

as well as going out on surveys and to<br />

visit brokers.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

Learning the terminology used within<br />

insurance was a challenge, however,<br />

many people in the office have been in<br />

the same position so there are lots of<br />

tailored guides and people to help you<br />

out!<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

My biggest achievement was being<br />

offered a graduate job at the end of my<br />

internship. It showed me that the hard<br />

work I put in had been noticed and it felt<br />

good to know people believed I was up to<br />

the job.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> atmosphere in the office is very<br />

welcoming with lots of highly experienced<br />

people around who are more than willing<br />

to spend some time with you.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

My office recently completed a walk up<br />

Mount Snowdon which we did to raise<br />

money for our corporate charity, <strong>The</strong><br />

Association of Air Ambulances. We also<br />

have regular social nights after work, as<br />

well as a variety of sports clubs which<br />

you can join.<br />

@RateMyPlacement My placement at<br />

Allianz has made me realise that this is the<br />

company in which I see my future. #gradjob<br />

#seeyounextyear<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 71


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Card Issuing<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Marketing, Finance, SPG<br />

(Consulting), Technology and Operations<br />

Locations: London, Brighton, Burgess Hill<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive, 22 days holiday,<br />

pension, flexible working hours, very good<br />

work-life balance<br />

How to apply<br />

20th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

16 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 35<br />

Entry Requirements: A minimum 2:1 (or<br />

equivalent) and having a minimum of 320 UCAS<br />

points awarded. Eligibility to work in the UK<br />

Application Process: Online Application, Video<br />

Interview, Assessment Centre<br />

American Express’ heritage was built<br />

on service and has been sustained by<br />

innovation. Through our evolution from<br />

an express mail business in 1850, to<br />

one of the world’s largest card issuers<br />

by purchasing volume and a digital<br />

innovator, we’ve never been afraid to<br />

explore new possibilities and embrace<br />

the changing marketplace.<br />

From our high employee satisfaction<br />

ratings to our many workplace awards,<br />

American Express is consistently<br />

recognised as a great place to work by<br />

people around the world.<br />

We offer talented individuals challenging<br />

work with purpose by embracing both<br />

innovation and tradition. As our company<br />

has grown and evolved, sometimes<br />

reinventing our business outright, we<br />

have never strayed from the customerservice<br />

ethos and values on which the<br />

company was built –trust, security,<br />

integrity, quality, good citizenship, respect<br />

and customer commitment.<br />

fb.me/<br />

@<br />

72 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


WE’LL MAKE<br />

SURE YOUR<br />

STUDENT<br />

LOANS WERE<br />

WORTH IT.<br />

CHALLENGE EVERY DAY<br />

Calling all strivers, all innovators and achievers. Aspiring leaders with ideas and ideals.<br />

<strong>The</strong> ones who want to make a difference, and who have the will to see things through.<br />

American Express is a collaborative culture where open doors encourage a steady flow<br />

of ideas from all. And where every employee, whether directly or indirectly, contributes<br />

to the world-class service that has become our hallmark—past, present and future.<br />

Come meet us and find out why talented people who want their work to make an<br />

impact choose to challenge themselves here.<br />

Find out more at careers.americanexpress.com/students/uk


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

54th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

19 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Retail and<br />

Technology<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 25<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Buying, Merchandising,<br />

Garment Technology, Design, Software<br />

Engineering, Sourcing, CR, Marketing, Finance,<br />

People Team<br />

Locations: Camden, London<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary plus<br />

flexible benefits scheme and amazing discount<br />

Entry Requirements: N/A<br />

Application Process: Online application,<br />

telephone interview and assessment centre or<br />

interview.<br />

fb.me/ASOS<br />

How to apply<br />

We are a unique online fashion<br />

destination visited by millions of twentysomething<br />

shoppers and fashion-lovers<br />

around the world every day. We sell our<br />

own label and other world-renowned<br />

brands at asos.com, and give boutiques<br />

the chance to sell new and pre-worn<br />

fashion through our Marketplace channel.<br />

ASOS is far more than just a shopping<br />

website. Fashion-focused twentysomethings<br />

can visit asos.com while<br />

searching for fashion, reading about it<br />

or talking about it on social media with<br />

their friends on their phones, tablets or<br />

laptops. We give our target customers<br />

an online experience they won’t find<br />

anywhere else on the planet. It’s all<br />

about helping our customers look, feel<br />

and be their best and we enable our<br />

employees to be their best selves too.<br />

We’re always looking for great people to<br />

join us – people who are as passionate<br />

as we are and, just as importantly,<br />

embrace change and innovation. As a<br />

place where fashion and technology<br />

make perfect partners, we have a real<br />

sense of excitement about the future and<br />

the possibilities it can bring.<br />

@ASOS_careers<br />

74 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Ramona thinks...<br />

Ramona Mohan<br />

From<br />

Queen Mary University,<br />

London<br />

Studying<br />

Science and Multimedia<br />

Position<br />

Software Engineering<br />

Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

I applied through the ASOS careers site. I<br />

am an ASOS customer and wanted to mix<br />

my love of fashion and tech. I had two<br />

telephone calls, one of which had more<br />

technical questions. I then attended an<br />

assessment centre where I carried out a<br />

mix of group and individual activities.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I have the right amount of responsibility<br />

as an intern. I learn something new<br />

every day and the more I learn, the<br />

more I can pick up tasks. ASOS has a<br />

really organised approach to software<br />

development so everyone on the team<br />

knows what everyone is doing.<br />

“I like that I am always given<br />

things to do and am trusted to<br />

do it. It really made me feel like<br />

part of the team straight away.”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I like that I am always given things to do<br />

and am trusted to do it. It really made me<br />

feel like part of the team straight away.<br />

It is also great that I am always learning<br />

new things.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

Now I am working in Mobile I am learning<br />

a whole new programming language. It’s<br />

something I never thought I would learn<br />

when I was at university. I’ve had the<br />

opportunity to dive straight in!<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

I’m really proud of the responsibility I<br />

have. If there a task that needs doing, I’m<br />

trusted to have it assigned to me and my<br />

team knows I will fix it.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

You need to love technology and love<br />

what you do. Be honest about what you<br />

are interested in. As part of the interview<br />

process I was asked what most interested<br />

me. I love UX and GUI and I have been<br />

assigned to the Mobile team, which I<br />

really enjoy.<br />

@RateMyPlacement Great placement<br />

at ASOS! Working in a fashion environment<br />

on software development is both<br />

exciting and challenging. #fashionNtech<br />

#lookingForwardToMyWork<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 75


CGI image of AstraZeneca’s<br />

new Global R&D Centre and<br />

Corporate Headquarters,<br />

Cambridge, UK<br />

Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

99th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

15 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Biopharmaceutical<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Research & Development<br />

Locations: Cambridge, Cheshire, Sweden<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive<br />

How to apply<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 50<br />

Entry Requirements: On track for a 2:1 or above<br />

in a broad Chemical, Analytical or Biological<br />

disipline<br />

Application Process: Online Application &<br />

Assessment Centre<br />

fb.me/astrazenecacareers<br />

AstraZeneca is a global, innovationdriven<br />

biopharmaceutical business that<br />

focuses on the discovery, development<br />

and commercialisation of prescription<br />

medicines.<br />

At AstraZeneca, we believe the best<br />

way we can help patients is to focus on<br />

breakthrough science in order to uncover<br />

disease mechanisms and develop novel,<br />

targeted therapies that interact with<br />

them. This is at the heart of our purpose<br />

as a company: to push the boundaries<br />

of science to deliver life-changing<br />

medicines.<br />

We invest in distinctive science in three<br />

main therapy areas where we believe we<br />

can make the most meaningful difference<br />

to patients: oncology; cardiovascular<br />

and metabolic disease; and respiratory,<br />

inflammation and autoimmunity. Our<br />

science exploits our rare combination<br />

of capabilities in small molecules and<br />

biologics, immunotherapies, protein<br />

engineering technologies and devices.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se are reinforced by a strong focus<br />

on translational science and personalised<br />

healthcare capabilities.<br />

@astrazenecajobs<br />

76 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Larissa thinks...<br />

Larissa<br />

From<br />

University of Warwick<br />

Studying<br />

Biochemistry with an<br />

Intercalated Year<br />

Position<br />

Graduate Scientist<br />

(previously Industrial<br />

Placement Student)<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

A lot of fun! <strong>The</strong> interviewers wanted to<br />

give me the best chance of succeeding<br />

by making the day as calm as possible.<br />

This allowed me to be the best candidate<br />

I could be.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I was trusted to work independently in<br />

the lab. I was given freedom to plan my<br />

project and attempt investigations as I<br />

saw fit. On top of this I was exposed to as<br />

many different areas as possible to give<br />

me the widest breadth of experience.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> office atmosphere is calm<br />

to allow people to work but<br />

very vibrant once the scientific<br />

discussions start.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Be enthusiastic about using your skills to<br />

help patients! If you love what you do and<br />

are motivated in the lab, analysing data<br />

and office-based work you’ll fit right in!<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I enjoyed the projects I’ve been part of,<br />

carrying out experiments, discussing<br />

the results and, of course, that moment<br />

where it all comes together. It’s the best<br />

thing when you know you’ve contributed,<br />

even in a small way, to something much<br />

bigger.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> office atmosphere is calm to allow<br />

people to work but very vibrant once the<br />

scientific discussions start. People love<br />

their work and can’t wait to talk about it!<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

We have a social group called AZInspire<br />

which organises social activities (as<br />

well as few fun things in work) for the<br />

students/grads/PhDs. It’s a great way to<br />

meet people of a similar age from other<br />

areas of the company.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

After the UIPS scheme, and completing<br />

your degree, it is possible to come back<br />

through the graduate programme. As I<br />

enjoyed my time so much this is what I<br />

did. <strong>The</strong> experiences I have gained will<br />

definitely improve my employability in this<br />

field.<br />

@RateMyPlacement AstraZeneca<br />

turned me from a student to a scientist<br />

– seeing science in action for patient<br />

benefit. #cantkeepaway #yearinindustry<br />

#whatsciencecando<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 77


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

70th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

50 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Engineering<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 182<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Aerospace, Defence,<br />

Energy, Infrastructure, Transportation, Security<br />

& Technology and Cost Control<br />

Locations: UK wide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive + corporate<br />

discounts + 25 days annual leave (pro rata)<br />

fb.me/AtkinsGlobalCareers<br />

@AtkinsGraduates<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: Studying towards a<br />

relevant degree with 2:1 predicted grade<br />

Application Process: A successful applicant will<br />

undertake an online test followed by a face to<br />

face or telephone interview<br />

Could your imagination help to transform<br />

the future?<br />

As one of the world’s most respected<br />

design, engineering and project<br />

management consultancies, we’re well<br />

placed to invest in your development and<br />

support you in becoming an expert in<br />

whatever inspires you most.<br />

With Atkins, you’ll be joining a team who<br />

help to create a world where lives are<br />

enriched through the implementation of<br />

our ideas from moving people across<br />

London faster on Crossrail through to<br />

solving the energy challenges of the<br />

future.<br />

Our works covers a range of sectors<br />

including Transportation, Water, the<br />

Built Environment, Cost Consultancy,<br />

Aerospace, Defence, Security &<br />

Technology and Energy.<br />

We offer a range of placement year or<br />

summer internship opportunities so you<br />

can get some really valuable experience<br />

before beginning your career after<br />

graduation. Your placement would be the<br />

ideal starting point for a graduate career<br />

with us too.<br />

78 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


“ This is engineering on a<br />

totally different scale.”<br />

Graduate and undergraduate opportunities<br />

£competitive pay | Opportunities across the UK<br />

At Atkins we’re taking on the most exciting engineering challenges of<br />

our time. From London to Singapore, our team of 17,000 people are<br />

designing, engineering and project managing bridges, skyscrapers, roads,<br />

airports, power stations, tidal lagoons and more.<br />

Join us on a placement or as a graduate and you’ll take your skills to<br />

the next level, working on amazing projects and achieving great things.<br />

So, discover more about Atkins, our projects and our opportunities.<br />

<strong>The</strong> future is in your hands.<br />

Visit careers.atkinsglobal.com/graduates<br />

Alex, graduate<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 79


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

85th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

38 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Defence<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Engineering, Business,<br />

Finance, Delivery Management, Consulting<br />

Locations: Multiple sites across the UK<br />

Salary & Benefits: £16,800 - £18,000 (pro-rata)<br />

per annum<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1 degree -<br />

specific degrees may be required, please check<br />

role profiles for details<br />

Application Process: Online application at www.<br />

baesystems.com/graduates<br />

fb.me/BAESGraduates<br />

@BAESGraduates<br />

How to apply<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:100<br />

Join us at BAE Systems and you’ll<br />

quickly become involved in developing<br />

some of the most technologically<br />

advanced defence, security and<br />

aerospace systems, and receive tailored<br />

development to advance your career.<br />

About us<br />

At BAE Systems, we provide some of<br />

the world’s most advanced, technologyled<br />

defence, aerospace and security<br />

solutions and employ a skilled workforce<br />

of some 83,400 people in over 40<br />

countries. Working with customers and<br />

local partners, we develop, engineer,<br />

manufacture and support products and<br />

systems to deliver military capability,<br />

protect national security and people<br />

and keep critical information and<br />

infrastructure secure.<br />

What you can expect<br />

We can offer you an exciting and<br />

challenging career. You’ll be working<br />

on real projects that make a difference,<br />

being part of inspiring work whilst<br />

enhancing your future career prospects.<br />

That’s what’s on offer when you choose<br />

a one year Industrial Placement, or a<br />

12-week Summer Internship within one of<br />

our BAE Systems businesses.<br />

80 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


Remarkable people<br />

doing work that matters<br />

At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s<br />

most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace<br />

and security solutions, employing a skilled workforce<br />

of some 83,400 people in over 40 countries. Working<br />

with customers and local partners, we develop,<br />

engineer, manufacture and support products and<br />

systems to deliver military capability, protect national<br />

security and people and keep critical information and<br />

infrastructure secure. That’s work that inspires us.<br />

We’re always looking out for people who can add<br />

real value to our business. That’s why we offer<br />

exciting and challenging career opportunities to<br />

enthusiastic, driven graduates and undergraduates.<br />

If you’re aspiring to develop professional excellence,<br />

you can join our Graduate Development Framework<br />

in a business or engineering role, ranging from<br />

human resources to naval architecture. For those<br />

who want to be part of a team that builds solutions<br />

of the future, there’s Applied Intelligence, with<br />

roles ranging from cyber security to software<br />

engineering. For individuals with the capability and<br />

determination to take up a senior finance role in<br />

the future, there’s the Finance Leader Development<br />

Programme. Or there’s the Sigma Leadership<br />

Programme, designed to develop those with the<br />

highest leadership potential into a business or<br />

engineering leader of the future. We also welcome<br />

ambitious undergraduates looking to take up<br />

an Industrial Placement or Summer Internship.<br />

If you’re ready to work on projects that make a real difference visit:<br />

baesystems.com/graduates


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Financial Services<br />

77th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

21 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Supervision, Policy,<br />

Operations, Analytics, Risk, Compliance,<br />

Communications, Programme Management, IT<br />

Locations: London<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive<br />

Entry Requirements: 300 UCAS points and a 2:1<br />

(260 UCAS points for IT roles)<br />

Application Process: Online application<br />

including various online tests, video interview<br />

questions and an assessment centre<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

@BankofEngland<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 70<br />

Look around you, and you’ll see the<br />

impact we make. As the country’s central<br />

bank, we promote the good of the people<br />

of the UK by maintaining monetary and<br />

financial stability. Our work influences<br />

millions of lives, which has been the case<br />

for over 320 years. But how we deliver it<br />

is evolving quicker than ever.<br />

Join us on our first or penultimate<br />

year Summer Internship Schemes, our<br />

Industrial Placement year, or one of our<br />

Insight Days, where you’ll get to learn<br />

about our institution, benefit from a<br />

tailored skills session and network with<br />

our recent graduates.<br />

Wherever you work – from Policy<br />

Analysis or Economics to Technology –<br />

as our intern you’ll take on projects that<br />

shape the biggest ideas in the economy.<br />

We welcome interns from all disciplines,<br />

because quality of thinking is what counts<br />

here. In our open and collaborative<br />

culture, new ideas and perspectives are<br />

encouraged at every level.<br />

If you aspire to become an expert in your<br />

field, or are keen to explore your options,<br />

you’ll find plenty of opportunities to<br />

inspire you as the Bank moves forward.<br />

82 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Charlotte thinks...<br />

Charlotte Bull<br />

From<br />

Durham University<br />

Studying<br />

Mathematics<br />

Position<br />

Resolution Directorate<br />

Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

It tested a lot more than just writing and<br />

numeracy. <strong>The</strong>re were group exercises<br />

that looked at your confidence and<br />

team working ability. In the interview<br />

itself, there was a real focus on your<br />

knowledge, motivation and personal<br />

experiences.<br />

How much responsibility were you<br />

given?<br />

It’s just the right amount. <strong>The</strong> Bank<br />

has given me challenges that suit my<br />

expertise and knowledge, and they look<br />

for opportunities to stretch me too. Some<br />

of the expected outcomes are quite<br />

ambitious, but I get plenty of support from<br />

the team around me.<br />

Describe a situation where you<br />

surpassed expectations.<br />

Since joining the Bank, I’ve been involved<br />

in many activities outside of my allocated<br />

workstreams. <strong>The</strong>se have included being<br />

in our sports teams, singing in the choir,<br />

volunteering, and organising the RD away<br />

day. I think my colleagues have been<br />

impressed to see me do this, alongside<br />

all of my daily work.<br />

What was the atmosphere like in your<br />

team?<br />

I work in very inclusive environment. My<br />

team are open to me asking questions,<br />

and they’re always happy to help me<br />

develop my understanding. <strong>The</strong>y are also<br />

sociable - we often have team lunches,<br />

and they’ve even established a football<br />

team for a few friendly matches.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> more you know about the<br />

role and the institution, the<br />

better your application will be.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

someone applying for your role?<br />

I’d recommend doing your research. <strong>The</strong><br />

more you know about the role and the<br />

institution, the better your application<br />

will be. It’s particularly important here,<br />

because the Bank of England is not like<br />

any other bank; it has a unique role in<br />

society, so your daily tasks can be very<br />

different to what you may have expected.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I’ve developed<br />

skills, led important projects, and met all<br />

kinds of people. It’s been a brilliant learning<br />

experience. #idefinetomorrow<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 83


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

19th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

305 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Banking, Investment<br />

Banking<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Banking, Markets,<br />

Barclays UK, Technology, HR, Compliance, Risk,<br />

Treasury, Finance, Marketing<br />

Locations: London<br />

Salary & Benefits: See website for details<br />

Entry Requirements: Each application is<br />

considered on merit<br />

Application Process: See website for details<br />

fb.me/BarclaysGraduates<br />

@barclaysgrads<br />

How to apply<br />

84 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:300<br />

Healthy economies need strong banks<br />

to drive economic and social progress.<br />

At Barclays, we know that when our<br />

customers and clients thrive, so do<br />

we. When our community thrives, so<br />

do we. That’s why our interns have the<br />

opportunity to contribute something vital.<br />

Something momentous.<br />

With over 325 years of expertise in<br />

banking, Barclays operates in over 40<br />

countries, employing around 130,000<br />

people to help move, lend, invest and<br />

protect money for customers and clients<br />

worldwide.<br />

Interns from all degree backgrounds<br />

can expect the best possible start with<br />

us. Challenging work and collaborative<br />

projects will build your know-how,<br />

while ongoing training will kickstart<br />

your career’s momentum. All you need<br />

is a commercial outlook, relationship<br />

skills, and the ambition to help Barclays<br />

become the best bank we can be.<br />

It’s time to start a career that fosters real<br />

development – for you, for Barclays, and<br />

for society. In our positive and supportive<br />

environment, you’ll find the momentum to<br />

achieve great things. <strong>The</strong> chance to be<br />

momentous.


Other companies promise the world.<br />

We’ll give you the opportunity<br />

to change it.<br />

In partnership with WildHearts, Barclays are proud to announce<br />

the Micro-Tyco competition. Open to all UK university students,<br />

we’re looking for aspiring entrepreneurs with real momentum.<br />

Invest £1 and you’ll have four weeks to generate as much money<br />

as you can, all for charity. And the prize? A portfolio internship<br />

– both with Barclays and other leading graduate employers.<br />

Ready to be momentous?<br />

Sign up at joinus.barclays.com/microtyco<br />

Barclays Bank PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the<br />

Prudential Regulation Authority. Barclays Bank PLC is registered in England. Registered number 1026167.<br />

Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

52nd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

40 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Accountancy, Advisory,<br />

Tax & Finance<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Audit, Tax, Advisory,<br />

Financial Services<br />

Locations: UK Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive + comprehensive<br />

benefits package<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 50<br />

Entry Requirements: 2:2 in any degree, 3 A<br />

levels A* - C in any subject (excluding General<br />

Studies) or equivalent<br />

Application Process: Online Application, Online<br />

Testing, Interview, Assessment Centre<br />

fb.me/BDOTraineesUK<br />

We hire people who can rise to<br />

a challenge, who have colourful<br />

personalities as well as brilliant skills,<br />

and who can take the initiative to find<br />

creative solutions. We offer Graduate and<br />

Internship Programmes across Audit, Tax,<br />

Advisory and Financial Services.<br />

BDO’s heartland is the mid-market. We<br />

have a clear ambition to be known in the<br />

market for exceptional service delivered<br />

by empowered people. <strong>The</strong> Mid-Market<br />

Monitor shows that BDO is the market<br />

leader for client satisfaction for the fourth<br />

year running.<br />

BDO is about exceptional client service.<br />

This means we take the time to get to<br />

know our clients well, to understand<br />

what they want to achieve and then give<br />

specially- tailored advice. If you want a<br />

firm where you can make real progress,<br />

then ours is the ideal size. BDO’s<br />

nationwide presence with 18 regional<br />

offices and international network with<br />

1,400 offices worldwide(the fifth largest in<br />

the world) creates vast scope for you to<br />

develop, and to discover the specialism in<br />

which you’d most like to work.<br />

@BDO_Trainees_UK<br />

86 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Claire thinks...<br />

Claire Hume<br />

From<br />

University of Bath<br />

Studying<br />

Accounting & Finance<br />

Position<br />

Junior Tax Associate<br />

(Real Estate &<br />

Construction Services)<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

My first and second round interviews<br />

were ‘enjoyable’, insofar as interviews<br />

can be, as they felt like natural and<br />

informative conversations I might have<br />

with fellow course mates.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

Responsibilities are well distributed<br />

throughout the team and there is no<br />

‘division of labour’ i.e. no one person is<br />

dedicated to a narrow specialisation of<br />

tasks.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Prepare for the standard ‘competency’<br />

based questions, but also focus<br />

on coming across as friendly and<br />

presentable. Have a think about broader<br />

industry trends and demonstrate your<br />

flare for your chosen stream/sector.<br />

“People are willing to take the<br />

time to explain concepts and the<br />

context around the work they<br />

are giving you.”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I like tax because it is not all about the<br />

stereotypical number crunching - it is<br />

centred on advisory, finding tax-efficient<br />

solutions for complex transactions, and it<br />

is about client relationships.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> office has a friendly but professional<br />

vibe. People are willing to take the time to<br />

explain concepts and the context around<br />

the work they are giving you, which is<br />

motivating and furthers your professional<br />

and commercial development.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

We respect that the usual pub/bar trips<br />

may not be fully inclusive. As a member<br />

of my team’s social committee, we<br />

organise team socials which should<br />

appear to all team members. BDO holds<br />

seasonal events such as Christmas and<br />

summer parties.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

<strong>The</strong> graduate programme involves a<br />

set-path for career progression, which<br />

gives you the time and support to get<br />

the exams out of the way. I am doing the<br />

ACA-CTA which gives you 2 qualifications<br />

in the time of 1.<br />

@RateMyPlacement after my<br />

#BDOexperience – with responsibility<br />

handed down early and no strict work-flow<br />

hierarchy within teams, BDO turned the<br />

tediously dull accountant stereotype on its<br />

head! #Notallaccountants<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 87


I’VE GAINED<br />

INSIGHT INTO MY<br />

ENTIRE COMPANY,<br />

NOT THE INSIDE<br />

OF A CUBICLE.<br />

Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

26th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

19 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Software<br />

Development,<br />

Finance, Sales<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Global Data, Software<br />

Development, Financial Product Client Services<br />

& Sales<br />

Locations: London<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive, free snacks in<br />

the pantry 24/7<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Entry Requirements: Varies depending on<br />

programme. European languages are an advantage<br />

Application Process: Application process varies<br />

by business area, however, expect to apply<br />

online and submit a CV<br />

fb.me/bloombergcareers<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:160<br />

Make Your Mark. Bloomberg.<br />

We solve complex challenges. Bloomberg<br />

is dedicated to helping decision makers<br />

make the moves that make the world<br />

spin. In the worlds of business, finance,<br />

government, policy and philanthropy, our<br />

aim is true: provide data, information and<br />

insights that help cut through complexity<br />

to solve challenges<br />

bloomberg.com/careers<br />

great and small.<br />

We’d like you to join us.<br />

What We Do<br />

Founded by Michael Bloomberg over<br />

three decades ago as a visionary<br />

response to market challenges,<br />

Bloomberg has been at the leading edge<br />

of the information revolution that has<br />

changed the way problems get solved.<br />

We don’t merely deliver data – we add<br />

value to it, with analytics, tools and<br />

insights that change the way business<br />

gets done. Our pragmatic problem solving<br />

approach applies to everything we turn<br />

our attention to, from markets to media,<br />

business to governance, policy to<br />

philanthropic endeavours.<br />

@BloombergCareer<br />

88 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


MY SKILLS ARE<br />

MY SKILLS ARE<br />

MOVING<br />

MOVING FORWARD,<br />

FORWARD,<br />

NOT<br />

NOT STANDING<br />

STANDING STILL.<br />

STILL.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>The</strong> data <strong>The</strong> data included data included included these these in materials these materials materials are for are illustrative for are for illustrative purposes purposes purposes only. only. only.<br />

©2014 ©2014 ©2014 Bloomberg Bloomberg L.P. L.P. All rights L.P. All rights All reserved. rights reserved. reserved. 55586464 55586464 1013 1013 1013<br />

/company/bloomberg-lp/careers<br />

/company/bloomberg-lp/careers<br />

/company/bloomberg-lp/careers<br />

<strong>The</strong> world’s top investors,<br />

<strong>The</strong> traders world’s and leaders top investors, depend<br />

traders <strong>The</strong> on our world’s information and leaders top investors, and depend news.<br />

on traders We our need information and your leaders ideas and depend and news. passion<br />

We on to help our need information us your meet ideas some and and of news. the passion<br />

to We biggest help need us challenges your meet ideas some around. and of the passion<br />

biggest to How help will us challenges you meet make some your around. of mark? the<br />

How biggest will challenges you make your around. mark?<br />

How will you make your mark?<br />

bloomberg.com/careers<br />

bloomberg.com/careers<br />

bloomberg.com/careers


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Manufacturing,<br />

Automotive,<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

87th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

36 students<br />

Engineering<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Manufacturing,<br />

Engineering, HR, IT, Purchasing, Finance,<br />

Logistics, Sales & Marketing, Communications<br />

Locations: Oxford, Swindon, Birmingham,<br />

Goodwood, Farnborough<br />

Salary & Benefits: £17,500 (pro rata),<br />

competitive total rewards package<br />

Entry Requirements: 2:1 degree<br />

Application Process: Online application, online<br />

ability tests, telephone screen, face to face<br />

interview or assessment centre<br />

fb.me/bmwcareersuk<br />

@<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

90 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:200<br />

<strong>The</strong> BMW Group is one of the world’s<br />

leading car manufacturers with more than<br />

120,000 employees in over 140 countries.<br />

With our brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-<br />

Royce Motor Cars we uphold a worldwide<br />

reputation for excellence in the premium<br />

segment of the automotive industry.<br />

To ensure we are continually developing<br />

our workforce, we seek students who<br />

possess team spirit and personal<br />

initiative, as well as an uncompromising<br />

desire to constantly further their<br />

knowledge.<br />

<strong>The</strong> BMW Group offers either a 6 month<br />

or 12 month placement in a wide range of<br />

business areas.<br />

Across our brands we take on over<br />

200 placement students each year. We<br />

want this to be the beginning of your<br />

career with us. Your placement may<br />

lead to sponsorship opportunities for the<br />

remainder of your degree course and/<br />

or a graduate position when you have<br />

completed your studies.<br />

So if you share our passion for future<br />

premium mobility solutions, apply for an<br />

opportunity with us.


What Thomas thinks...<br />

Thomas Porter<br />

From<br />

<strong>The</strong> University of Brighton<br />

Studying<br />

BSc – (Hons) Product<br />

Design & Technology with<br />

Professional Experience<br />

Position<br />

Student Intern –<br />

Production Maintenance<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

My interview process consisted of a<br />

telephone interview with the recruitment<br />

team followed by a face to face interview<br />

with my line manager. <strong>The</strong> face to face<br />

interview was formal and I was given a<br />

detailed tour of the facilities.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

My main responsibilities include<br />

project management, product research<br />

and development, and incorporating<br />

technology within new design options.<br />

My role also included frequent review<br />

meetings with senior management.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> working environment is<br />

friendly and hugely supportive<br />

when it comes to pursuing an<br />

idea.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

It is important to be pro-active. For<br />

example, the workshop equipment was<br />

in need of a maintenance standard,<br />

something in which I took upon myself<br />

to develop. This has had a positive<br />

impact on the way equipment is used and<br />

maintained.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> working environment is friendly<br />

and hugely supportive when it comes<br />

to pursuing an idea. This helped me to<br />

push my designs to the best they could<br />

be. It has been a great opportunity as the<br />

position has tested both my practical and<br />

theoretical skills.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

Goodwood has a good surrounding<br />

area, including a variety of activities on<br />

the Goodwood estate including golf, an<br />

off road experience and the ‘Festival of<br />

Speed’. Furthermore, the plant is a 1 hour<br />

commute between Brighton, London and<br />

Portsmouth.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

<strong>The</strong>y are very promising. I was nominated<br />

to attend the assessment centre for a<br />

‘SpeedUp’ scholarship. I successfully<br />

secured sponsorship through my last<br />

year of university. I am now in a strong<br />

position to be considered for a role after I<br />

graduate.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I thoroughly<br />

enjoyed my placement with Rolls-Royce<br />

Motor Cars, I loved having the opportunity<br />

to work on specific projects.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 91


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

50th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

76 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Oil and gas<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:100+<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Engineering, science,<br />

business and trading<br />

Locations: All graduates and interns are based<br />

at one of our UK sites<br />

Salary & Benefits: £25k pro rata, access to our<br />

share scheme, lunch allowance, one week of<br />

paid holiday and training<br />

fb.me/bpcareers<br />

@BP_Careers<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1 in any degree<br />

and for trading programmes 320 UCAS points<br />

Application Process: Visit bp.com/grads/uk to find<br />

out the application process for all of our programmes<br />

Developing and producing energy<br />

resources that benefit people the<br />

world over is our motivation – it’s what<br />

drives us. So we’re constantly pushing<br />

the boundaries of what’s achievable.<br />

Demanding more of the resources we use<br />

in an effort to create a more sustainable<br />

future. And it’s our talented people who<br />

make this all possible. <strong>The</strong> experiences,<br />

skills and perspectives that make up our<br />

team all have their role to play. And when<br />

they come together, our future has no<br />

limits. And neither does yours.<br />

Our programmes<br />

Geoscientists sending sound waves<br />

through the earth to find new oil and gas<br />

reserves. Engineers building platforms<br />

in the ocean for extraction. Traders<br />

anticipating and reacting to changes in<br />

the markets. We take on graduates and<br />

interns at every stage of the energy life<br />

cycle. And wherever you join us, you’ll<br />

start a career path that can really take<br />

you places.<br />

Who we’re looking for<br />

You can apply through our degree<br />

matcher which is a handy tool that will<br />

help you choose the roles which are right<br />

for you. Visit bp.com/degreematcher.<br />

92 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


“Taking on responsibility<br />

and owning projects is<br />

really exciting.”<br />

LeAnn’s perspective on opportunity<br />

Intern and graduate opportunities<br />

From creating world-class products to<br />

developing secure, sustainable energy<br />

for the future, there’s more to BP than<br />

you might think. As an intern, you’ll make<br />

a difference from day one, embarking on<br />

a real career with real responsibilities. So<br />

from business and trading, to engineering<br />

and science, whatever it is you’re doing,<br />

you’ll be playing your part in our success.<br />

To find out more visit bp.com/grads/uk


Placement<br />

Years<br />

94 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

40th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

36 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Charity sector<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Fundraising, Marketing,<br />

Communications, Digital, Policy, Health<br />

Evaluation, Business Analysis, Research Funding<br />

Locations: London and regionally-based roles,<br />

home-based roles also available<br />

Salary & Benefits: Unpaid, flexible volunteering,<br />

reasonable travel and lunch expenses<br />

reimbursed<br />

Entry Requirements: N/A<br />

Application Process: Application form and<br />

competency-based interview<br />

fb.me/cancerresearchuk<br />

@CR_UK<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 45<br />

We’re the world’s leading charity<br />

dedicated to beating cancer through<br />

research.<br />

We’ve saved millions of lives by<br />

discovering new ways to prevent,<br />

diagnose and treat cancer. In the 1970s,<br />

less than a quarter of people with cancer<br />

survived. But over the last 40 years,<br />

survival has doubled – today half will<br />

survive. Our ambition is to accelerate<br />

progress and see three-quarters of<br />

people surviving the disease within the<br />

next 20 years.<br />

We don’t just do research. Together with<br />

our supporters, we raise vital funds and<br />

campaign on key cancer issues, including<br />

access to drugs, screening and reducing<br />

the use of tobacco.<br />

Our Internships<br />

Every Spring, Summer and Autumn,<br />

Cancer Research UK offers 12 week<br />

voluntary internships to people who are<br />

looking to gain work experience in the<br />

charity sector.<br />

Our intern projects deliver above and<br />

beyond the work we already do, meaning<br />

that every hour you give will bring us one<br />

step closer to beating cancer.


What Esther thinks...<br />

Esther Nicoll<br />

From<br />

University of Cambridge<br />

Studying<br />

History<br />

Position<br />

Event Management<br />

(Sports) Intern<br />

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

WWW.RMP.GD/CANCERRESEARCH<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

Not as scary as it sounds! I had two<br />

interviews on the same day, one for<br />

each role I applied for. I was mainly<br />

asked competency-based questions so<br />

I could expand on answers I gave in my<br />

application. I also had the chance to ask<br />

anything I was unsure about.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I supported on things like volunteer<br />

recruitment, chose musicians for our<br />

events and managed the logistics for<br />

the North London Half Marathon. I felt<br />

completely trusted to make my own<br />

decisions, but also had support and<br />

guidance available when I needed it.<br />

“Whatever role you take on<br />

will give you an invaluable<br />

experience and you can really<br />

make it your own.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are so many equally fantastic roles<br />

available – choose 2 you’re passionate<br />

about and agree to be considered for<br />

other roles. Whatever role you take on<br />

will give you an invaluable experience<br />

and you can really make it your own.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I loved the variety of tasks I was given<br />

throughout. My highlight has to be<br />

volunteering at the London Marathon<br />

and seeing all the months of preparation<br />

culminating in a fantastic day for our<br />

supporters, volunteers, runners and their<br />

families.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

It was so well organised and every<br />

resource for personal development was<br />

at our disposal – I had an intern manager<br />

and a mentor, access to CV workshops<br />

and online courses, was responsible<br />

for my own project and assisted at<br />

prestigious events.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

Excellent. My current paid role utilises<br />

many of the skills I developed during the<br />

internship. Many of the other interns from<br />

my intake have since gone on to find<br />

employment both within the sector and<br />

beyond.<br />

@RateMyPlacement My internship at<br />

@CR_UK was fantastic! As one of a big<br />

group of #CRUKInterns you’ll have fun, jazz<br />

up your CV and feel trusted to truly put your<br />

stamp on life-saving work<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 95


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

68th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

72 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Energy and<br />

Services<br />

Entry Requirements: Minimum 2:1 degree<br />

Application Process: Online application and<br />

psychometric tests, Telephone Interview,<br />

Assessment Centre<br />

96 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 65<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Analysts, Customer<br />

Operations, Engineering, Finance, HSES, HR,<br />

Customer Insight, IS, Marketing, Procurement &<br />

Supply Chain<br />

Locations: Nationwide with free accommodation<br />

Salary & Benefits: £14k (pro-rata), free<br />

accommodation, 5 days holiday, gym & more<br />

fb.me/CentricaGraduateRecruitment<br />

@CentricaGrads<br />

How to apply<br />

Centrica is an energy and services<br />

company, we deliver every day to<br />

28 million customers worldwide, and<br />

everything we do is focused on satisfying<br />

the changing needs of our customers.<br />

Serving our customers is what we are<br />

known for, what we are good at and<br />

where we have distinctive capabilities.<br />

We want to make people’s lives easier,<br />

simpler and more connected.<br />

<strong>The</strong> scope of our business means we can<br />

offer you exciting opportunities across a<br />

wide range of career paths throughout<br />

the UK (and internationally). We’re one<br />

of the top 50 companies in the FTSE<br />

100 with an adjusted operating profit of<br />

£1.459m and around 39,000 employees<br />

worldwide. *Figures quoted are as at 31<br />

December 2015<br />

Our success depends on providing an<br />

environment in which employees can<br />

flourish. We have an open, honest culture<br />

that’s based on mutual trust and respect.<br />

We’d like to hear from highly motivated<br />

students who are inquisitive, passionate<br />

and curious about what they do.<br />

Interested? We’d love to help you<br />

develop your career, and to have you be<br />

a part of our on-going and future success.


What Thomas thinks...<br />

Thomas Allen<br />

From<br />

University of Cardiff<br />

Studying<br />

English Language and<br />

French<br />

Position<br />

People Development<br />

Assistant<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> online and telephone parts<br />

challenged me to reflect on my skills.<br />

<strong>The</strong> assessment day was well organised<br />

where I worked with other candidates,<br />

but also met key stakeholders alone. <strong>The</strong><br />

process focused heavily on Centrica’s<br />

leadership qualities.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I was given a lot of responsibility which<br />

I enjoyed a lot. I was leading on several<br />

projects which meant I was working<br />

with key stakeholders such as Heads of<br />

HR from day one. Whilst this can seem<br />

daunting at first, my team fully supported<br />

me.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> opportunity to work with a<br />

wide range of people from across<br />

the world. I was fortunate<br />

enough to visit the Norwegian<br />

head office whilst on summer<br />

placement!”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Fully understand what the role entails<br />

before you start applying. You need to<br />

be able to demonstrate the Centrica<br />

leadership behaviours, so learn these<br />

and several specific examples of when<br />

you have demonstrated them.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> opportunity to work with a wide range<br />

of people from across the world. I was<br />

fortunate enough to visit the Norwegian<br />

head office whilst on summer placement!<br />

This reflects the opportunities Centrica<br />

can offer being an international company.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement?<br />

I implemented a brand new way to offer<br />

learning out to the business with zero<br />

cost making the most of resources the<br />

business already had. This received<br />

overwhelming support and was<br />

implemented across the business.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

<strong>The</strong> level of responsibility, the support<br />

from my team and the organisation of the<br />

programme were all factors that have led<br />

to my experience being overwhelmingly<br />

positive.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I loved every<br />

moment of my time at Centrica. I was given<br />

a lot of responsibility and felt like I was<br />

making a real difference. Cannot wait to see<br />

what opportunities are around the corner.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 97


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

37th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

33 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Law<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Law<br />

Locations: London, Bristol, Aberdeen,<br />

Edinburgh and Glasgow<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 100<br />

Entry Requirements: 2:1, 320 UCAS points at<br />

A-level or equivalent<br />

Application Process: Apply online at www.rmp.<br />

gd/cms<br />

fb.me/CMSUKGraduates<br />

CMS is a global, full service law firm<br />

with 60 plus offices in over 30 countries<br />

worldwide. We are the second most<br />

global law firm and the largest in Europe,<br />

headquartered in the City of London<br />

in the UK with training locations also<br />

in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and<br />

Bristol. Opportunities abound for top<br />

quality training, global secondments and<br />

to work with sector specialists so that<br />

your career can thrive in our Global Elite<br />

Law firm.<br />

Clients come to us for advice across<br />

all types of commercial law, including<br />

banking and finance, competition,<br />

corporate and M&A, dispute resolution,<br />

employment & pensions, energy and<br />

environment, intellectual property, private<br />

equity, public procurement, real estate<br />

and tax.<br />

‘Your World First’ is our promise to our<br />

clients. This means we are client-centric,<br />

have world vision and are performance<br />

driven. We have over 3,200 lawyers who<br />

work in international teams, focusing on<br />

industry sectors. That means we always<br />

advise in the context of our clients’<br />

business and market.<br />

@CMSUK_Graduates<br />

98 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


THE NEXT<br />

GENERATION<br />

VACATION<br />

SCHEME<br />

Network Rail photography<br />

This year we’re launching the CMS Academy. Open to<br />

penultimate and final-year students from all degree<br />

backgrounds – and graduates looking to pursue commercial<br />

law – the CMS Academy will give you the skills and<br />

experience to work at a truly modern law firm. You’ll<br />

enjoy innovative leadership development training and<br />

gain invaluable experience at the UK office of your choice.<br />

If all goes well, you’ll be offered a training contract and<br />

take part in a groundbreaking induction programme in<br />

collaboration with IMD, one of Europe’s leading business<br />

schools. Interested? Learn more at graduates.cms-cmck.com


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

9th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

85 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Investment<br />

Banking<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Investment Banking &<br />

Capital Markets, Global Markets, Technology<br />

(IT)<br />

Locations: London, Europe, Middle East<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary plus<br />

benefits<br />

Entry Requirements: 2:1 degree<br />

Application Process: CV, online application,<br />

numerical and verbal reasoning tests, interview,<br />

assessment centre<br />

fb.me/creditsuissecareers<br />

@creditsuisse<br />

How to apply<br />

100 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 200+<br />

Credit Suisse is a leading global wealth<br />

manager with strong investment banking<br />

and asset management capabilities.<br />

Founded in 1856, Credit Suisse has<br />

expanded to be a global force employing<br />

over 48,000 people in 50 countries. With<br />

new leadership, a new strategy and<br />

a streamlined global organization, we<br />

are set for growth. We partner across<br />

businesses, divisions and regions to<br />

create innovative solutions to meet the<br />

needs of our clients—and to help our<br />

employees grow. It is a high priority for<br />

us to continually invest in our employees<br />

by providing ongoing opportunities for<br />

training, networking and mobility. Join<br />

us and let’s shape the future of Credit<br />

Suisse together.<br />

Application Dates:<br />

<strong>2017</strong> Full-Time Analyst Program:<br />

20 November <strong>2016</strong><br />

<strong>2017</strong> Summer Analyst Internship Program<br />

and Industrial Placements:<br />

11 December <strong>2016</strong><br />

<strong>2017</strong> Spring Insight Program:<br />

15 January <strong>2017</strong><br />

<strong>2017</strong> Autumn Analyst Program:<br />

31 January <strong>2017</strong>


Calling all...<br />

Idea Igniters<br />

Industry Shapers<br />

Market Leaders<br />

We look for a wide<br />

range of interests,<br />

backgrounds and<br />

degrees. We look for<br />

future leaders.<br />

To learn more about careers in<br />

financial services and how to<br />

apply visit:<br />

credit-suisse.com/careers<br />

Credit Suisse is an equal opportunity<br />

employer. © <strong>2016</strong> CREDIT SUISSE GROUP<br />

AG and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

14th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

62 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Engineering<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Engineering, Finance,<br />

Marketing, Supply Chain, HR, Project<br />

Management, IT, Quality<br />

Locations: Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: £18000 / 25 days holiday /<br />

Bonus / Share scheme / subsidised canteen<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:110<br />

Entry Requirements: Working towards a 2:1 in a<br />

relevant degree preferred<br />

Application Process: Online via careers site<br />

Cummins are global leaders in the diesel<br />

engine, power generation, turbocharging<br />

and emissions solutions markets.<br />

With manufacturing plants in 14<br />

countries, 55,000 employees, turnover<br />

of $19.1 billion in 2015, you would<br />

be joining an organisation that offers<br />

massive opportunities on a global<br />

basis. Key markets are off-highway<br />

vehicles, industrial equipment and<br />

power generation. In addition, Cummins<br />

provides turbochargers for the automotive<br />

sector, along with filtration and acoustic<br />

systems, natural-gas engines, engine<br />

components and electronic systems.<br />

Cummins engine installations vary from<br />

the world’s highest altitude rail vehicles<br />

in the mountains of Tibet to some of the<br />

biggest mine trucks around the world.<br />

Once you become a part of Cummins,<br />

the emphasis you place on commitment<br />

and dedication to your career aspirations<br />

plus your people skills, combined with<br />

a natural communication style are the<br />

attributes that will determine the speed<br />

with which you progress.<br />

fb.me/cummins.students.uk<br />

@CumminsJobs<br />

102 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Louise thinks...<br />

Louise Holliday<br />

From<br />

Loughborough University<br />

Studying<br />

MEng Mechanical<br />

Engineering<br />

Position<br />

Industrial Placement -<br />

Engineering<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> assessment day was probably the<br />

most relaxed I’ve had. <strong>The</strong>re was a<br />

group exercise, a tour and an interview<br />

with two employees including one of<br />

my managers. We also met senior<br />

management and had lunch with the<br />

current placement students.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I’m surprised how much responsibility<br />

I do have. Cummins has allowed me to<br />

take ownership of some projects myself,<br />

with any support needed to achieve my<br />

goals. My projects have clear outcomes<br />

and benefits to the company.<br />

“It’s fantastic to be in an office<br />

surrounded by lots of people with<br />

so much experience and that<br />

they want to share it with you.”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> sense of achievement after<br />

completing a report or piece of work that<br />

I’m really proud of; knowing that the work<br />

I do isn’t just for myself and will be used<br />

by others. It’s especially nice when my<br />

work is recognised and appreciated by<br />

colleagues.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

I was surprised just how friendly and<br />

willing to help everyone is. It’s fantastic<br />

to be in an office surrounded by lots of<br />

people with so much experience and that<br />

they want to share it with you.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

<strong>The</strong> number of graduate roles is<br />

dependent on the financial market each<br />

year. Sponsorship opportunities are<br />

available during a placement student’s<br />

final year at university, and if a student<br />

is sponsored, they get first pick of the<br />

available graduate jobs.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Do a lot of research into every company<br />

that you apply to. Not only is it a must for<br />

interviews, it’s really important that you<br />

make sure that a company is right for you<br />

before you commit a year to them. Life’s<br />

so much easier when you love what you<br />

do.<br />

@RateMyPlacement my industrial year<br />

at Cummins Turbo Technologies was both<br />

challenging and rewarding. I’ve gained<br />

valuable experience and met some great<br />

people. What more could you want from a<br />

placement year? #engineering #cummins<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 103


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Real Estate<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

63rd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

24 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 50<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Commerical Property,<br />

Building Surveying, Quantity Surveying, Project<br />

Management, Interior Design, Residential and<br />

Planning<br />

Locations: UK wide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive, 25 days holiday,<br />

Travel loan, Private medical insurance<br />

@cushwakegrads<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: 2.1 in any degree<br />

Application Process: Online application form,<br />

first round interview, assessment day<br />

We are a global leader in commercial<br />

real estate services, helping clients<br />

transform the way people work, shop<br />

and live. With 43,000 employees in over<br />

60 countries we provide deep local and<br />

global insights to create significant value<br />

for occupiers and investors everywhere.<br />

Across the network we’re delivering<br />

cutting-edge multimillion pound deals in<br />

sectors ranging from retail to technology,<br />

residential to industrial and many more.<br />

This is exactly the work we’ll expose<br />

you to on our internship. As part of our<br />

select intake, you’ll join one department<br />

and have hands-on involvement and get<br />

plenty of responsibility early on. It lasts<br />

for six weeks and you’ll be busy from the<br />

first day to the last.<br />

Our ambitious growth strategy means<br />

there will always be high profile work<br />

on offer. You’ll gain experience across<br />

service lines and borders. You’ll work with<br />

people around our global network, and<br />

we’ll support you to get the most out of it<br />

all.<br />

In other words, your future will be a big<br />

deal to us. Entrepreneurial? Tenacious?<br />

Ambitious? Begin that future now.<br />

104 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Alexandra thinks...<br />

Alexandra Faulds<br />

From<br />

University of Birmingham<br />

Studying<br />

BSc Business<br />

Management<br />

Position<br />

Summer Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

I felt that the interview process was very<br />

personable and thorough. I enjoyed the<br />

interview I had with the partner as I feel<br />

we both got to know each other and<br />

how we would work together. I am now<br />

working in his team for my internship.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

Not coming from a property degree<br />

background I am given a lot more<br />

responsibility than I thought. This enabled<br />

me to gain a thorough understanding of<br />

the real estate industry and an in-depth<br />

insight into all their major projects and<br />

clients.<br />

“My team are all extremely<br />

friendly and approachable and<br />

in general the office is a very<br />

social place to work.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Be yourself. <strong>The</strong>y are not just looking for<br />

students with technical knowledge but<br />

also how well they feel you will fit in with<br />

the company. However I do feel a good<br />

understanding and up-to-date knowledge<br />

of the property market is vital.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> variety of the role is what I enjoy the<br />

most. One day I will be in the office and<br />

the next I am in London at client meetings<br />

or on site looking at new commercial<br />

property.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

<strong>The</strong> scope of work I am given has been a<br />

lot more insightful than I expected. I have<br />

been on various site visits and done a lot<br />

more travelling than I expected which has<br />

been extremely insightful.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

My team are all extremely friendly and<br />

approachable and in general the office is<br />

a very social place to work. I never felt<br />

awkward asking questions as they were<br />

always eager to help and make sure I<br />

understood everything I was doing.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are various sports teams that are<br />

open for everyone in the office like netball<br />

and rounders. <strong>The</strong>re are also many<br />

opportunities to socialise with interns and<br />

graduates from other departments and<br />

also go for team drinks.<br />

@RateMyPlacement My internship at<br />

@CushWakeGrads was a great introduction<br />

to the real estate world. <strong>The</strong> training was<br />

excellent and everyone really cared about<br />

where I could go next #myfutureisabigdeal<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 105


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

32nd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

144 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Consulting, Finance,<br />

Professional Services<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:500<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Audit and Risk Advisory,<br />

Tax Consulting, Financial Advisory, Consulting<br />

Locations: UK Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive, 25 days holiday,<br />

free mobile phone, Bikes4Work Scheme, travel<br />

insurance, corporate discounts<br />

Entry Requirements: Our entry requirements<br />

vary for each service line<br />

Application Process: Online application, online<br />

tests, first round interview and final round<br />

interview<br />

fb.me/yourfutureatdeloitteuk<br />

@deloitteukgrads<br />

How to apply<br />

<strong>The</strong> business and technology<br />

landscape is, every year, more<br />

ambiguous and disruptive. Solving<br />

the problems of today takes more<br />

creativity and empathy than ever<br />

before.<br />

For the influencers, the challengers,<br />

the explorers – for those who are true<br />

thinkers – they’ll find at Deloitte it’s the<br />

mindset that shapes the role. <strong>The</strong>re are<br />

opportunities in all areas candidates<br />

would expect, including those they<br />

wouldn’t, like Management Consulting &<br />

Technology. All paths offer opportunity<br />

to grow and progress, with guidance<br />

from inspirational and supportive senior<br />

managers.<br />

Often described as the firm’s greatest<br />

assets, Deloitte’s people think boldly, act<br />

commercially, and make decisions based<br />

on the impact they’ll have for clients,<br />

colleagues and the communities they<br />

live in. Every year, they invest more in<br />

learning and development. Agile working<br />

is a way of life. People are respected for<br />

their individuality. Ownership is highly<br />

rewarded. Leadership is visible at every<br />

level. And, with offices recruiting across<br />

the UK, Deloitte really is for the curious.<br />

106 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Manufacturing<br />

Engineering<br />

79th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

19 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Engineering, Operations,<br />

Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, Product<br />

Management, Marketing, Human Resources<br />

Locations: Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days<br />

holiday, plus other<br />

Entry Requirements: On track for a 2:1<br />

undergraduate degree or higher<br />

Application Process: Online Application,<br />

Telephone Interview, Assessment Centre<br />

fb.me/<br />

@<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 35<br />

Eaton is a global power management<br />

company, providing energy efficient<br />

solutions that help our customers<br />

effectively manage electrical, aerospace,<br />

hydraulic and mechanical power more<br />

efficiently, safely and sustainably.<br />

With over 100 years’ experience in the<br />

manufacturing industry and 97,000<br />

employee’s globally, we provide one<br />

of the broadest portfolios of products,<br />

services and solutions in a competitive<br />

market. Which for you means endless<br />

opportunities for success.<br />

Recognising that people are our most<br />

valued resource, we invest heavily in<br />

our internship programme. As part of the<br />

Eaton Family, you will participate in real<br />

projects that have a measurable impact<br />

on our business; adding real value.<br />

We believe that providing the right<br />

learning and development opportunities<br />

for our interns is key to their success<br />

on the programme, and critical to them<br />

reaching their full potential in the longer<br />

term. As potential future leaders within<br />

our business you will experience what<br />

we will consider to be a full spectrum<br />

of development on our internship<br />

programme.<br />

108 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What George thinks...<br />

George Priestner<br />

From<br />

University of the West of<br />

England<br />

Studying<br />

Electronic Engineering<br />

Position<br />

Divisional Engineering<br />

Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

Thorough, the whole process is very<br />

intensive, they test you on all of your<br />

attributes – team work, leadership,<br />

presentation, problem solving, data<br />

analysis, and so on. But it’s invaluable<br />

experience for future interviews and<br />

assessment centers.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

Part of my work is to manage projects<br />

which have exposure to a high level of<br />

business management, projects which<br />

are on the radar of big bosses in the<br />

company. This is daunting at first, but it’s<br />

definitely an opportunity to influence the<br />

business.<br />

“I definitely felt comfortable<br />

and it’s a very friendly<br />

environment – both in my dayto-day<br />

office and all the other<br />

sites I have been to.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Take advantage of every chance to show<br />

your skills. Be proactive in everything – if<br />

you see an opportunity where you can<br />

learn, or improve a certain aspect of the<br />

business, take it with both hands.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

Working with professional engineers and<br />

seeing projects develop from concept to<br />

prototype to the finished product.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

Presenting project updates and<br />

milestones to senior management. It can<br />

be daunting and difficult, but its great<br />

experience and exposure to real life<br />

engineering project life cycle.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

Eaton is big on inclusion and diversity. I<br />

definitely felt comfortable and it’s a very<br />

friendly environment – both in my day-today<br />

office and all the other sites I have<br />

been to. I feel very much included in the<br />

team.<br />

@RateMyPlacement Had a great 12<br />

month+ internship with Eaton! It’s been<br />

a pleasure to work with some amazing<br />

people, and the responsibilities I’ve taken<br />

on have enabled to me to really add value<br />

to the business. #EatonFam<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 109


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

100th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

15 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Utilities, Science<br />

and Engineering<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Science, Engineering,<br />

Supply Chain (Business), Digital, Research &<br />

Development<br />

Locations: Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: £16,500 salary, generous<br />

holiday allowance, product and service<br />

discounts<br />

How to apply<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 40<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted or achieved 2:1<br />

in a relevant undergraduate degree<br />

Application Process: Online Application, Online<br />

Testing, Telephone and Face-to-Face Interviews<br />

We’re EDF Energy, the UK’s largest<br />

producer of low-carbon electricity. We<br />

operate nuclear, coal and gas power<br />

stations, wind farms, and combined heat<br />

& power plants. We have a focus on safe,<br />

dependable energy generation and an<br />

ethos of service excellence. We intend to<br />

play a leading role in new nuclear build in<br />

the UK and secure a bright future for the<br />

business and its employees.<br />

We want you to be a part of our new<br />

generation of talent. You may want to<br />

learn what it takes to build and operate<br />

nuclear power stations or explore the<br />

commercial side of managing a business<br />

as vast and fast-moving as ours. Our<br />

paid 12-month Industrial Placements will<br />

equip you with practical work experience<br />

relevant to your degree and professional<br />

skills that will set you up for your career<br />

after university. Whatever your interests<br />

now, whatever your plans for the future,<br />

prepare to discover a huge amount about<br />

our business, the wider energy sector<br />

and yourself.<br />

fb.me/EDFEnergyCareers<br />

@edfecareers<br />

110 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Alefiyah thinks...<br />

Alefiyah Jafferji<br />

From<br />

UCL (University College<br />

London)<br />

Studying<br />

Chemical Process<br />

Engineering<br />

Position<br />

Industrial Placement<br />

in the Engineering<br />

Department at Torness<br />

Power Station<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> application process involved an<br />

online application, online testing,<br />

a telephone interview and a short<br />

assessment centre which included an<br />

hour long competency-based interview.<br />

<strong>The</strong> process was straight-forward and as<br />

expected.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

On-site, I’ve been given a lot of scope<br />

to develop my work and to plan my time.<br />

My ideas have always been welcomed<br />

around the table and often, the more<br />

initiative you apply and the ownership you<br />

take, the more you’re able to accomplish.<br />

“As an Industrial Placement,<br />

you have less responsibility and<br />

therefore a lot more freedom to<br />

dip your toes into the countless<br />

number of things going on across<br />

site.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Prepare, prepare and prepare! It’s<br />

possible to find out about and to prepare<br />

for all parts of the application process.<br />

Learn about the basics of thermal<br />

electricity generation and about the wider<br />

energy sector. Talk to as many people as<br />

you can.<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

Variety and freedom. As an Industrial<br />

Placement, you have less responsibility<br />

and therefore a lot more freedom to dip<br />

your toes into the countless number of<br />

things going on across site. <strong>The</strong> people<br />

on site are always happy to help and<br />

answer questions.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

I work in an open plan office, facing<br />

rolling hills and the sea. Everyone is<br />

extremely approachable and it’s a highly<br />

collaborative environment. If I’ve been<br />

working at my desk for too long, I can<br />

jump into my boiler suit and take a walk<br />

around the plant!<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

If you do well on your placement,<br />

you could move on to the company’s<br />

Graduate Scheme (which is the path I’ve<br />

taken!), or you could even directly apply<br />

for jobs within the company. EDF Energy<br />

is a large company and the prospects are<br />

extremely promising!<br />

@RateMyPlacement I loved my<br />

placement at EDF Energy. I learnt so much<br />

about how electricity is generated and about<br />

the processes used in large companies.<br />

#electricityrules #keepingthelightson<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 111


INTERNSHIPS THAT COULD<br />

TAKE YOU ANYWHERE<br />

6 MONTHS<br />

SUMMER<br />

1 YEAR<br />

Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

22nd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

146 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Retail, Management<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Management Training<br />

Internship Programme<br />

Locations: Over 400 locations throughout the<br />

UK and Ireland<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive, various<br />

How to apply<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:200<br />

Entry Requirements: All degree disciplines<br />

Application Process: Please apply online<br />

fb.me/EnterpriseRentACarJobsEurope<br />

Add an annual turnover of $19.4 billion to<br />

a rental and leasing fleet of over 1 million<br />

vehicles spread across 9,000 locations<br />

worldwide and you get Enterprise Rent-<br />

A-Car – a business that’s grown into the<br />

largest car rental company in the world.<br />

We owe our success to everyone from<br />

our senior managers to management<br />

trainees. Together they make Enterprise<br />

the workplace it is and are the main<br />

reason we won the Best Intern award at<br />

the NUE awards last year.<br />

As a paid intern with Enterprise Rent-<br />

A-Car, you’ll learn what it takes to run<br />

a successful business while acquiring<br />

valuable skills and experience covering<br />

everything from customer service,<br />

sales and marketing to profit and loss<br />

statements. From a few weeks over the<br />

summer to a year-long placement, we<br />

offer students flexibility with regards to<br />

how long an internship can last. <strong>The</strong>re’s<br />

plenty of scope for promotion, including<br />

the chance to work your way up from an<br />

intern into a professional role when you<br />

graduate. It’s no exaggeration to say that<br />

an internship with Enterprise could take<br />

you anywhere.<br />

@ERAC_Jobs<br />

112 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Rajpreet thinks...<br />

Rajpreet Badesha<br />

From<br />

University of Hertfordshire<br />

Studying<br />

BA/BSc (Hons) Business<br />

Studies<br />

Position<br />

Management Assistant<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are 5 stages: application,<br />

telephone interview, meeting the recruiter,<br />

branch visit and assessment centre. It’s<br />

well structured and feedback is given at<br />

every stage, plus the Talent Acquisition<br />

team provides guidance so you know<br />

what’s involved.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

From day one you’re encouraged to make<br />

your own decisions and be confident in<br />

all areas of the business. My manager<br />

gives me extra duties such as assisting<br />

in the running of the branch; a high-level<br />

responsibility that I feel has strengthened<br />

my skill set.<br />

“You’re trained to become a<br />

successful manager who can<br />

handle any challenge – it’s not<br />

a boring office job where you do<br />

the same task every day.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Research the role on RMP (it’s like<br />

TripAdvisor for placements) and speak<br />

with current interns – you’ll learn from<br />

their experiences. You can also contact<br />

your Campus Brand Manager, who’ll<br />

explain what’s expected and advise on<br />

the recruitment process.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> responsibility! You’re trained to<br />

become a successful manager who can<br />

handle any challenge – it’s not a boring<br />

office job where you do the same task<br />

every day. You’re also given great training<br />

and support, so you never feel overwhelmed.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

Developing my communication skills.<br />

Initially I felt too shy to present or interact<br />

with different people and can remember<br />

feeling nervous about the customer<br />

service side of things. I’ve been able<br />

to develop this skill with the help of<br />

my manager and am now much more<br />

confident.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

It has to be when I was promoted to<br />

Management Assistant. It was a proud<br />

moment for me, my parents and my coworkers,<br />

who all helped me prepare for<br />

the role. It also made me appreciate just<br />

how much Enterprise values interns and<br />

gives them real prospects.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I loved my<br />

placement at Enterprise. Challenging but<br />

fun! #lifeskills #eracinterns #comealiveerac<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 113


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

13th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

200 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Professional<br />

Services<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Various sectors<br />

Locations: UK wide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary and<br />

benefits<br />

Entry Requirements: Studying for a degree<br />

Application Process: Online applications, online<br />

strengths tests, telephone interview, assessment<br />

centre, final interview<br />

fb.me/EYUKcareers<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:500<br />

EY is a global professional services<br />

organisation. By asking better questions,<br />

they provide their clients with better<br />

answers, helping them solve complex<br />

business issues.<br />

EY depends on high performing teams<br />

of people from a huge range of cultures<br />

and backgrounds to help clients make<br />

better decisions and find better solutions.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y operate across four service<br />

lines: Assurance, Consulting, Tax and<br />

Transactions.<br />

<strong>The</strong> firm drives itself and its clients<br />

forward with technological innovation and<br />

disruptive thinking. Students who thrive<br />

on change and challenge will be in their<br />

element here. EY supports students at<br />

every stage of their studies and career<br />

thinking, helping them understand their<br />

own qualities to make the right choice<br />

about their future in business.<br />

For students who see the change the<br />

world needs and are smart enough to be<br />

part of it, EY is a great place to build the<br />

career they want, and make their own<br />

contribution to EY’s purpose of building a<br />

better working world.<br />

@EY_StudentsUK<br />

114 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


As a start-up<br />

where do you<br />

want to end up?<br />

Build the career you want at EY<br />

and change business for the better.<br />

Start today. Change tomorrow.<br />

ukcareers.ey.com/graduates<br />

© <strong>2016</strong> Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. ED0917


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Investment<br />

Management<br />

44th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

22 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Equity Research, Fixed<br />

Income, Multi-Asset Solutions, European<br />

Sales and Marketing, Technology, Business<br />

Management and Operational Management<br />

Locations: UK, Europe, Asia Pacific<br />

Salary & Benefits: Market competitive, Life<br />

assurance and Pension<br />

Entry Requirements: All degree disciplines,<br />

minimum 320 UCAS points, 2:1 degree<br />

Application Process: Apply online<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 40<br />

We offer world class investment solutions<br />

to clients that range from individuals and<br />

financial advisers to large institutions,<br />

governments and insurance companies.<br />

We help people provide for their future,<br />

through investment products, services<br />

and information they need to make the<br />

right decisions.<br />

Our commitment to excellence and<br />

innovation means we’re investing in<br />

new technology like never before. With<br />

custom platforms to give our investment<br />

professionals access to each other’s<br />

insights, bespoke global forecasting<br />

tools, or tailored apps for our clients,<br />

we’re revolutionising the way investing<br />

is done. Our approach to learning and<br />

development will give you the confidence<br />

to make a difference. For an ambitious<br />

intern it’s the chance to experience<br />

the kind of training and intellectual<br />

challenges you won’t find anywhere else.<br />

We look for passionate, engaged, smart,<br />

curious people who stand out from the<br />

crowd, not just finance or economics<br />

students. To find out more about where<br />

your degree could take you at Fidelity,<br />

visit fidelityrecruitment.com<br />

@<br />

116 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Ben thinks...<br />

Ben Hayward<br />

From<br />

University of Birmingham<br />

Studying<br />

Geography and History<br />

Joint Honours<br />

Position<br />

Sales and Marketing<br />

Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

Pretty standard for the industry – it starts<br />

with an online questionnaire then a<br />

telephone interview and if this goes well<br />

you will have an assessment day. <strong>The</strong><br />

assessment day was long but you are<br />

very well looked after.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

someone applying for your role?<br />

Make your application stand out in<br />

some way. Do things such as joining the<br />

investment society or attending industry<br />

seminars, which looks good on a CV and<br />

provides talking points in interviews and<br />

discussions. Don’t just answer questions<br />

in an interview – engage with the recruiter<br />

and ask them questions.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> variety of the work is what<br />

makes it so enjoyable.”<br />

What did you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> variety of the work is what makes<br />

it so enjoyable. I have the freedom and<br />

flexibility of my project work to be getting<br />

on with, but then I also get to sit in on<br />

a lot of interesting meetings and phone<br />

calls which is always fun.<br />

What was the atmosphere like in your<br />

team?<br />

Really friendly; everyone is keen to meet<br />

you and get you involved. It is rarely too<br />

much trouble for someone to help you<br />

out. I spend one day a week down in<br />

the Kingswood office in Surrey which is<br />

a nice way of mixing the week up and<br />

meeting new people.<br />

What were the activities outside of<br />

work?<br />

Fidelity has been really good at putting<br />

on after work activities with events like<br />

drinks, bowling and curry nights all<br />

organised so far. On top of these we<br />

often go and grab drinks or lunch as<br />

a group of interns – there is so much<br />

choice around Cannon Street and the<br />

whole of London.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

Going on figures from last year – 100% of<br />

sales and marketing interns were offered<br />

graduate roles and roughly 80% of interns<br />

across the business were asked to come<br />

back too. So I would say that providing<br />

you work hard and prove yourself they<br />

are pretty good.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I loved my<br />

placements at Fidelity, it gave me an insight<br />

into what my future career could be like and<br />

challenged me every day #illbeback<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 117


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Investment<br />

Banking<br />

6th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

103 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Opportunities across all<br />

of our 15 divisions<br />

Locations: London and Europe<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary, Attractive<br />

benefits package<br />

Entry Requirements: All qualifications<br />

considered<br />

Application Process: Online application via<br />

goldmansachs.com/careers; followed by<br />

interviews<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

@GSCareers<br />

How to apply<br />

118 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 500+<br />

Goldman Sachs is a leading global<br />

investment banking, securities and<br />

investment management firm that<br />

provides a wide range of financial<br />

services to a substantial and diversified<br />

client base, including corporations,<br />

financial institutions, governments and<br />

individuals.<br />

At Goldman Sachs, you will have many<br />

opportunities to make an impact. <strong>The</strong><br />

unique perspectives that our people bring<br />

to the firm and their shared passion help<br />

drive progress and create results.<br />

From your first day, you will be immersed<br />

in a collaborative environment with<br />

people of all levels who share the firm’s<br />

values. Nearly everyone – from our junior<br />

analysts to our most senior leaders – is<br />

actively involved in recruiting talented<br />

people from a variety of backgrounds,<br />

because we recognise that a diverse<br />

workforce enables us to serve our clients<br />

most effectively.<br />

Whatever your background or area of<br />

academic study, we value the intellect,<br />

personality and integrity of an individual.<br />

While an interest in and appreciation<br />

for finance is important, one’s personal<br />

qualities are key.


WL2239<br />

HOW WILL YOU<br />

MAKE AN IMPACT<br />

CONTRIBUTE, COLLABORATE AND<br />

SUCCEED WITH A CAREER AT<br />

GOLDMAN SACHS<br />

If you’re the kind of person who can’t wait to make a<br />

difference, consider a career at Goldman Sachs.<br />

We believe that good ideas and innovations can come<br />

from anyone, at any level. We offer meaningful<br />

opportunities, best-in-class training and a wide variety<br />

of career paths for talented people from all academic<br />

backgrounds. Plus, with access to important clients and<br />

projects, you’ll have the chance to make an impact with<br />

global significance.<br />

APPLICATION DEADLINES<br />

NEW ANALYST: 30 October <strong>2016</strong><br />

SUMMER ANALYST: 4 December <strong>2016</strong><br />

SPRING PROGRAMME: 4 January <strong>2017</strong><br />

WORK PLACEMENT PROGRAMME: 4 January <strong>2017</strong><br />

Submit your application at<br />

goldmansachs.com/careers<br />

DOWNLOAD OUR APP<br />

to learn more about how<br />

you can make an impact.<br />

goldmansachs.com/careers<br />

@GSCareers<br />

© <strong>2016</strong> <strong>The</strong> Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. All rights reserved.<br />

Goldman Sachs is an equal employment/affirmative action<br />

employer Female/Minority/Disability/Vet.


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Accountancy,<br />

Business & Finance<br />

3rd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

67 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:100+<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Audit, Tax, Advisory<br />

Locations: Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive, Intern-specific<br />

development programme, real client work,<br />

fasttrack to graduate programme<br />

Entry Requirements: No minimum entry<br />

requirements<br />

Application Process: Check website for details<br />

fb.me/GrantThorntonRecruitmentUK<br />

@GT_STB<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

How to sum up a complex and exciting<br />

business like Grant Thornton? Simply<br />

put, we’re part of an ambitious global<br />

organisation providing business and<br />

financial advice to dynamic organisations<br />

right at the heart of growth. In the UK<br />

alone, we deliver solutions to 40,000<br />

clients, across a wide range of sectors.<br />

We are a shared enterprise – meaning<br />

our people share ideas, share<br />

responsibility and share reward. It’s never<br />

been a more exciting time to be a part<br />

of a firm who are passionate about their<br />

higher purpose – unlocking growth for<br />

clients and driving a vibrant economy.<br />

We’re starting from within – all 4,500<br />

people thinking and behaving according<br />

to our shared mindset for growth.<br />

Over 400 ambitious graduates, interns<br />

and placement students join us in over<br />

20 of our UK offices each year, enjoying<br />

varied, on-the-ground work from the<br />

outset on client assignments, from<br />

multinationals to fast-growth companies<br />

such as start-ups. And, in the spirit of<br />

shared enterprise, there are plenty of<br />

opportunities to get involved in exciting<br />

things outside of the day<br />

job.<br />

120 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


Some advice just states the obvious. But the<br />

kind of insight that adds real value to dynamic<br />

organisations and drives a vibrant economy<br />

requires you to think and behave like an owner<br />

from day one. We’ve introduced a culture<br />

of shared enterprise. Shared ideas, shared<br />

responsibility and shared reward. If you want to<br />

kick start a career as a respected business adviser<br />

at the go to firm for growth, here’s our advice, visit:<br />

Careers in audit, tax and advisory<br />

www.grant-thornton.co.uk/trainees


Placement<br />

Years<br />

122 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

47th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

139 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Entry Requirements: 2:1<br />

Application Process: Application form, online<br />

tests, video interview (programme dependant)<br />

and assessment day<br />

fb.me/gskstudentsandgraduates<br />

@GSK<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Pharmaceutical<br />

Healthcare<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 350<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Multiple areas of<br />

Engineering, Manufacturing and Science as well<br />

as IT, HR, Sales, Marketing, Communications,<br />

Finance and Procurement<br />

Locations: UK wide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary, regular<br />

bonus’s, 28 days holiday and much more!<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

GSK are proud to be a leading scienceled<br />

global healthcare company.<br />

We research and develop a broad<br />

range of innovative products across<br />

Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and<br />

Consumer Healthcare including products<br />

such as Maxinutrition, Sensodyne and<br />

Beechams. <strong>The</strong>se help millions of people<br />

around the world do more, feel better and<br />

live longer.<br />

GSK is a truly global company<br />

operating in over 115 countries, with<br />

all our employees sharing a real<br />

sense of purpose as they contribute<br />

to answering some of the biggest<br />

healthcare challenges. This means whilst<br />

on placement you will join a diverse,<br />

passionate workforce dedicated to<br />

making a difference to patients lives.<br />

We offer 1 year industrial placements<br />

as well as summer placements that<br />

typically last 10-12 weeks. You can join<br />

us in almost all areas within Engineering,<br />

Science or Business.Visit our website to<br />

find out more!<br />

Our placements offer you a chance to<br />

have real responsibility so you can make<br />

an impact, as well as dedicated support<br />

and development opportunities to help<br />

you get the most from your year.


Make an Impact.<br />

Benefit millions of lives.<br />

If you thrive on responsibility and<br />

want to experience high profile, realworld<br />

projects that make a difference<br />

to patients lives, we could have the<br />

placement for you.<br />

Find out more at<br />

www.undergraduates.gsk.com<br />

Emma<br />

HR industrial placement


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

12th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

57 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

IT<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Business, Finance, IT,<br />

Sales Support, Marketing, PR & Events<br />

Locations: Bracknell, Bristol, London, Erskine,<br />

Cambridge<br />

Salary & Benefits: As an intern, you’ll have a<br />

salary of £15,000 plus a £1000 sign-on bonus<br />

Entry Requirements: Must be on target for 2:1<br />

Application Process: Online Application,<br />

Telephone Interview, Assessment Centre<br />

fb.me/HPECareers<br />

@HPE_Careers<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:120<br />

At Hewlett Packard Enterprise, our<br />

mission is to create new possibilities for<br />

technology to have a meaningful impact<br />

on people, businesses, governments<br />

and society. We do this by inviting the<br />

intrepid and the bold, the curious and<br />

inspired, the driven and wired to join us<br />

and to collaborate, work, learn and build<br />

together.<br />

We aim at making the complex simple.<br />

Bridging the old and the new. That’s<br />

where you fit in.<br />

<strong>The</strong> road from inspiration to innovation to<br />

impact begins with you. Imagine yourself<br />

as part of a company with the breadth<br />

and depth of products and services to<br />

provide complete end-to-end solutions in<br />

big data, cloud, mobility and security, not<br />

just a disparate set of IT components.<br />

We take bright, talented students as<br />

interns because we want them to be<br />

the bright, talented graduates that end<br />

up becoming the future leaders of our<br />

company. <strong>The</strong>re’s a broad range of<br />

internships available – all lasting 13<br />

months – covering sales, marketing,<br />

business and IT, so we’re bound to have<br />

a role to suit you.<br />

124 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Emma thinks...<br />

Emma Ledger<br />

From<br />

University of Surrey<br />

Studying<br />

BSC Business<br />

Management<br />

Position<br />

Sales Operations Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

Management asked me to present on<br />

an achievement of mine so I chose<br />

to talk about the Baking Society I set<br />

up at University. I felt they were more<br />

interested in getting to know whether<br />

I’d be a good fit for the team than an<br />

interrogation!<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I was given the perfect level of<br />

responsibility. I was able to work<br />

independently but knew that I could ask<br />

for advice or extra coaching if I felt it was<br />

necessary.<br />

“Effective placement year<br />

students are highly encouraged<br />

to come back to HPE after our<br />

internship.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

I would advise future candidates to get<br />

involved with as many extra activities as<br />

possible. HPE has many committees and<br />

employee resource groups to join which<br />

can elevate both your skill set and your<br />

visibility within the company.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

My working days were never the same.<br />

I got involved in so many activities<br />

including my Charity Lead position,<br />

writing for the HPE Nationwide Magazine<br />

and sitting on the CSR Board. This meant<br />

that my overall role in HPE was varied.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

My largest challenge was leading a team<br />

of 12 charity representatives within the<br />

UK&I and ensuring they would collectively<br />

reach a £90,000 charity fundraising<br />

target. (I’m pleased to say that we did<br />

reach this!)<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

I attended many meals with my team<br />

outside of working hours. In addition, our<br />

Social Secretaries were responsible for<br />

arranging events for the intern cohort on<br />

a whole which included a Christmas Boat<br />

Party along the Thames and two summer<br />

balls.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

Effective placement year students are<br />

highly encouraged to come back to<br />

HPE after our internship. Our return is<br />

discussed throughout the year and most<br />

are asked to keep in touch in our final<br />

year at university.<br />

@RateMyPlacement My 1 year<br />

placement at @HPE has allowed me to<br />

cultivate skills and have experiences I<br />

never could have gained from my course.<br />

#howtimeflies<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 125


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

12th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

57 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Business &<br />

Technical<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Business Analysis,<br />

Marketing, and Technical<br />

Locations: Bracknell, Bristol, and London<br />

Salary & Benefits: 25 days holiday, pension &<br />

flexible benefits scheme<br />

Entry Requirements: Must be on target for 2:1<br />

Application Process: Visit HP’s careers website<br />

for further information: www.hp.com/jobs<br />

fb.me/hpcareers<br />

@hpcareers<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 30<br />

We are a global team of 50,000+<br />

inventors, ready to take on the world.<br />

We’re looking for big thinkers to be the<br />

next leaders at HP!<br />

HP Intern Program is built around our<br />

employee-centric people strategy. Each<br />

intern’s experience is not just a resumebuilder,<br />

but also an experience-builder.<br />

We offer challenging work projects and a<br />

chance to challenge the status quo and<br />

make an impact in the technology world.<br />

Joining us, you have the opportunity to<br />

explore your interests and build solid<br />

foundations for your future.<br />

We truly believe in the power of ideas,<br />

and we believe that ideas thrive best<br />

in a culture of teamwork. That is why<br />

everyone - at every level in every<br />

function, is encouraged to have original<br />

ideas, to express them and to share<br />

them. We trust anything can be achieved<br />

if you really believe in it, and we will<br />

invest in your ideas to change lives and<br />

the way people work.<br />

Now it’s your turn to make the world a<br />

better place to live and work. We are here<br />

to help you achieve that and be the best<br />

version of you.<br />

126 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Danny thinks...<br />

Danny James Pearson<br />

From<br />

University of Huddersfield<br />

Studying<br />

Advertising and Marketing<br />

Communications<br />

Position<br />

eCommerce and Digital<br />

Marketing Executive<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> interview process was a great<br />

experience. I applied for the role via the<br />

HP career site. I had 3 phone interviews,<br />

and was invited to do a face to face<br />

interview. <strong>The</strong> in-person was enjoyable<br />

as I got to meet my hiring manager and<br />

interact with her.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I was amazed by the level of<br />

responsibility I was given. I was always<br />

treated like a permanent team member,<br />

with many of my ideas taken onboard.<br />

For example, I had full responsibility<br />

over the UK Customer Relationship<br />

Management programme.<br />

“We had a range of great social<br />

events. Team dinners and days<br />

out with the other interns are<br />

some of the main highlights..”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Relax and be yourself. Think of the<br />

interview process as being a two-way<br />

conversation. It’s an opportunity for you<br />

to find out if HP is right for you so ask lots<br />

of questions.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I loved the fact that I worked in such a<br />

fast-moving environment. No day was<br />

ever the same and I had the flexibility<br />

to run my own projects. <strong>The</strong> great thing<br />

about my role was that I was able to<br />

identify how I influenced and improved<br />

areas of the business.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

<strong>The</strong> great thing about working at HP<br />

is that you are extremely valued as<br />

an intern. I have been given so much<br />

support by my team and many senior<br />

members of staff. I’ve learnt so many<br />

skills that will stay with me throughout my<br />

future career.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

Multi-tasking on a wide range of tasks<br />

during busy periods was difficult at first,<br />

but the internship allowed me to identify<br />

the best practice of managing this.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

We had a range of great social events.<br />

Team dinners and days out with the other<br />

interns are some of the main highlights.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I love working in<br />

such a fast-paced environment, and that I<br />

can run my own projects. I am amazed by<br />

the level of responsibility I am given, and<br />

I love that my ideas are taken onboard.<br />

#LifeatHP is rewarding & fun.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 127


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

60th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

43 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Banking<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Commercial Banking,<br />

Global Banking and Markets, Global Private<br />

Banking, Retail Banking and Wealth<br />

Management<br />

Locations: Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:150<br />

Entry Requirements: Minimum 2:1 in relevant<br />

degree<br />

Application Process: Online Application<br />

We employ, develop and promote<br />

employees based on merit and provide<br />

a supportive and inclusive working<br />

environment. We want HSBC to be a<br />

place where everyone can be themselves<br />

and achieve their potential.<br />

We have access to many of the world’s<br />

major trade and capital flows and a<br />

leading position in many high-growth<br />

markets. Within these markets we<br />

serve our customers through four global<br />

businesses: Commercial Banking, Global<br />

Banking and Markets, Global Private<br />

Banking and Retail Banking and Wealth<br />

Management. <strong>The</strong>se businesses are<br />

supported by a range of operational and<br />

functional teams.<br />

If you are still at school or college we<br />

offer work-experience programmes in<br />

some countries. If you are about to, or<br />

have just left school or college, we have<br />

a range of local opportunities including<br />

apprenticeships and entry-level positions,<br />

which can be viewed on our programmes<br />

page or country/location careers sites.<br />

fb.me/hsbccareers<br />

@HSBC_UK_Careers<br />

128 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


ARCHITECTS<br />

REQUIRED<br />

To lay foundations for businesses to grow. To develop<br />

To<br />

strong<br />

lay foundations for businesses to grow. To develop<br />

strong<br />

To lay foundations relationships.<br />

relationships.<br />

for To<br />

To<br />

businesses help design<br />

help design<br />

to world-class<br />

world-class<br />

grow. To develop products<br />

and<br />

products<br />

and<br />

strong services.<br />

services.<br />

relationships. To help design world-class products<br />

At<br />

and<br />

HSBC,<br />

services.<br />

we’re looking for perceptive, driven and forwardthinking<br />

At HSBC, we’re looking for perceptive, driven and forwardthinking<br />

At HSBC, people<br />

people<br />

we’re looking to join our<br />

to join our<br />

for Global<br />

Global<br />

perceptive, Student<br />

Student<br />

driven and<br />

and<br />

and Graduate<br />

Graduate<br />

forwardthinking<br />

people to<br />

Programmes<br />

Programmes to<br />

to help<br />

help<br />

join our<br />

our<br />

our customers<br />

customers<br />

Global Student realise<br />

realise<br />

and their<br />

their<br />

Graduate hopes,<br />

dreams and ambitions. To start with a simple idea<br />

hopes,<br />

then turn<br />

dreams<br />

Programmes<br />

it into reality.<br />

and ambitions.<br />

to help our<br />

To<br />

customers<br />

start with<br />

realise simple<br />

their<br />

idea<br />

hopes,<br />

then turn<br />

it<br />

dreams<br />

into reality.<br />

and ambitions. To start with a simple idea then turn<br />

Along<br />

it into reality.<br />

the way, you’ll work collaboratively, developing the<br />

Along<br />

essential<br />

the<br />

skills<br />

way,<br />

needed<br />

you’ll work<br />

to achieve<br />

collaboratively,<br />

your own<br />

developing<br />

career goals.<br />

the<br />

essential<br />

Along the<br />

skills<br />

way,<br />

needed<br />

you’ll work<br />

to achieve<br />

collaboratively,<br />

your own<br />

developing<br />

career goals.<br />

the<br />

Are<br />

essential<br />

you ready<br />

skills<br />

to<br />

needed<br />

design<br />

to<br />

a<br />

achieve<br />

better future?<br />

your own career goals.<br />

Are you ready to design better future?<br />

Are you ready to design a better future?<br />

PROGRESSIVE MINDS APPLY<br />

PROGRESSIVE MINDS APPLY<br />

PROGRESSIVE hsbc.com/careers<br />

MINDS APPLY<br />

hsbc.com/careers<br />

hsbc.com/careers<br />

HSBC is committed to building a culture where all employees are valued, respected and opinions count. We take pride in providing a workplace that<br />

HSBC<br />

fosters<br />

is<br />

continuous<br />

committed<br />

professional<br />

to building a<br />

development,<br />

culture where<br />

flexible<br />

all employees<br />

working<br />

are<br />

and<br />

valued,<br />

opportunities<br />

respected<br />

to grow<br />

and opinions<br />

within an<br />

count.<br />

inclusive<br />

We<br />

and<br />

take<br />

diverse<br />

pride in<br />

environment.<br />

providing a workplace that<br />

fosters<br />

HSBC is<br />

continuous<br />

committed<br />

professional<br />

to building a<br />

development,<br />

culture where<br />

flexible<br />

all employees<br />

working<br />

are<br />

and<br />

valued,<br />

opportunities<br />

respected<br />

to grow<br />

and opinions<br />

within an<br />

count.<br />

inclusive<br />

We<br />

and<br />

take<br />

diverse<br />

pride in<br />

environment.<br />

providing a workplace that<br />

fosters continuous professional development, flexible working and opportunities to grow within an inclusive and diverse environment.


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

58th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

132 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

IT & Consulting<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Business, Finance, HR, IT,<br />

Marketing, Software Development and Software<br />

Design<br />

Locations: UK Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: £15,000 (pro rata), £1,000<br />

sign on bonus, 25 days holiday (pro rata)<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:350<br />

Entry Requirements: 2:1 predicted<br />

Application Process: Online application and<br />

test, assessment centre and final interview<br />

Are you passionate about developing<br />

your skills and building your career with<br />

a global leader? From your first day,<br />

you can look forward to the support you<br />

need to make a real impact. This is your<br />

opportunity to join a company where<br />

you can do work that matters – we are<br />

IBMers, and that’s what we do.<br />

Discover what you can do at IBM<br />

ibm.com/jobs/uk<br />

University Placement<br />

A Placement at IBM is filled with<br />

challenges that will stretch your<br />

capabilities, give you exposure that will<br />

kick start your professional career and<br />

give you the opportunity to meet some<br />

truly inspirational people.<br />

Summer Internship<br />

On our Extreme Blue internship you’ll<br />

work in a team of students to develop an<br />

idea that no one else has thought of, and<br />

then turn that idea into a real product.<br />

When the 12 weeks are up, you’ll<br />

showcase it to our executives, business<br />

partners and clients.<br />

fb.me/IBMUKcareers<br />

@IBMUKCareers<br />

130 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


I work where<br />

my growth is supported.<br />

Outthink ordinary. Many companies standstill, but not IBM.<br />

IBM allows you to develop your voice and ideas into endless<br />

opportunities that can help change the world. At IBM, you’ll<br />

challenge your comfort zone to define the career the way you want.<br />

Discover what you can do at IBM.<br />

ibm.com/jobs/uk<br />

IBM and its logo and ibm.com are trademarks of International Business Machines Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. See current list<br />

at ibm.com/trademark. Other product and service names might be trademarks of IBM or other companies. ©International Business Machines Corp. <strong>2016</strong>.<br />

R00001


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

17th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

274 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Investment Banking<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Wide range of<br />

opportunities across the Corporate &<br />

Investment Bank, Asset Management and<br />

Corporate functions<br />

Locations: Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Glasgow,<br />

London and continental Europe<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive<br />

Entry Requirements: 2:1<br />

Application Process: Varies per programme but<br />

all start with an online application<br />

fb.me/jpmorganchasecareers<br />

@jpmorgan<br />

How to apply<br />

132 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 200+<br />

Banking is a vital part of the world’s<br />

economy and everyday life. Over the last<br />

200 years, J.P. Morgan has evolved as<br />

a business to meet the ever-changing<br />

needs of some of the world’s largest<br />

companies as well as many of the smaller<br />

businesses that are a cornerstone of local<br />

communities.<br />

J.P. Morgan’s strength lies not only in<br />

the quality of its products, but also within<br />

the invaluable power of its employees.<br />

Harnessing the diversity of its people,<br />

J.P. Morgan values people with different<br />

talents, ranging from Investment Banking<br />

to Technology, Operations and Finance.<br />

Career opportunities are available<br />

across the firm, so it pays to learn as<br />

much as possible about the industry,<br />

business areas and the roles available.<br />

Be sure to take advantage of preinternship<br />

programmes - many interns<br />

are hired directly from our Spring Week<br />

programmes.<br />

J.P. Morgan is looking for collaborative<br />

future leaders who have passion,<br />

creativity and exceptional interpersonal<br />

skills. Impeccable academic credentials<br />

are important, but so are achievements<br />

outside the classroom.


What Emma thinks...<br />

Emma<br />

From<br />

University College Dublin<br />

Studying<br />

Economics and Finance<br />

Position<br />

Associate – Investment<br />

Banking<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

Even as a relatively junior team member<br />

I am responsible for high profile and<br />

important pieces of work. Taking on so<br />

much responsibility was quite daunting at<br />

first but my team is very supportive and<br />

I can rely on them to provide advice and<br />

guidance.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Attention to detail will be a fundamental<br />

part of your role – so make a good<br />

impression from the outset. Take care<br />

when you are filling out your application<br />

and double check before you submit it.<br />

Consider the qualities that will make you<br />

stand out.<br />

“I really enjoyed being part of a<br />

small and close knit deal team<br />

for the first time; there was<br />

a great sense of camaraderie<br />

throughout the process.”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> variety of people and projects.<br />

No two transactions or projects are<br />

the same, and so the work is always<br />

challenging and interesting. On most<br />

projects, I collaborate with and learn from<br />

a host of talented colleagues across the<br />

globe.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

Moving from Equity Research to<br />

Investment Banking. Working with a<br />

new team, in a different role has been<br />

challenging at times but it has also been<br />

very rewarding. I have been able to<br />

expand my skills and move my career in<br />

a new and exciting direction.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

One of my biggest achievements was<br />

closing my first transaction which I had<br />

been involved with from start to finish.<br />

When a deal closes after many months of<br />

hard work it’s a great feeling!<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

I really enjoyed being part of a small and<br />

close knit deal team for the first time;<br />

there was a great sense of camaraderie<br />

throughout the process. Despite the<br />

hectic schedule, the senior deal team<br />

members placed importance on work-life<br />

balance.<br />

@RateMyPlacement My Spring Week<br />

and Summer Internship at J.P. Morgan set<br />

me up for success, giving me the insights<br />

and experience needed to get me the<br />

position I’m in today. #earlyinsights<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 133


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Reviewed by<br />

75 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Automotive<br />

Engineering &<br />

Manufacturing<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Engineering, Finance, HR,<br />

IT, Marketing, Property, Purchasing, Engineering<br />

Quality, Design, Research & Development<br />

Locations: West Midlands, Warwickshire,<br />

Liverpool<br />

Salary & Benefits: £15,600 pa<br />

How to apply<br />

39th<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:200<br />

Entry Requirements: Enrolled in penultimate<br />

year as a full time university student<br />

Application Process: Situational judgement &<br />

psychometric testing and assessment centre<br />

Home to some of the most iconic<br />

nameplates ever to take to the road,<br />

Jaguar Land Rover has a proud and<br />

enviable heritage. But it’s our future<br />

that excites us most. With continued<br />

investment in the development of new<br />

products, processes and facilities and<br />

expansion into new markets gaining<br />

momentum, we need to find the next<br />

generation of innovators and creative<br />

thinkers that will ensure we continue to<br />

set the standards others can only follow.<br />

We offer 3, 6 and 12-month<br />

Undergraduate Placements in a wide<br />

range of Engineering, Manufacturing and<br />

Commercial Business areas throughout<br />

the organisation. All of which can be<br />

found on our website.<br />

As would be expected from two of the<br />

world’s most revered brands, a range<br />

of rewards and experience await those<br />

who have initiative, vision and drive to<br />

contribute to the organisation’s global<br />

success. All this and more makes Jaguar<br />

Land Rover an enviable place to start<br />

your journey.<br />

fb.me/JLRsweetcareers<br />

@JLRCareers<br />

134 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Medical Devices,<br />

Pharmaceuticals,<br />

FMCG<br />

82nd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

16 students<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1 in a relevant<br />

degree<br />

Application Process: Online application,<br />

Numerical Testing, Video Interview, Assessment<br />

Centre<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 60<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Engineering, Marketing,<br />

Sales, Finance, Supply Chain, Reg & Medical<br />

Affairs<br />

Locations: Thames Valley, Leeds & Inverness<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive, Pension,<br />

Healthcare<br />

How to apply<br />

Caring for the world, one person at a<br />

time... inspires and unites the people<br />

of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace<br />

research and science - bringing<br />

innovative ideas, products and services<br />

to advance the health and well-being<br />

of people. Employees of the Johnson<br />

& Johnson Family of Companies work<br />

with partners in health care to touch the<br />

lives of over a billion people every day.<br />

We now have over 128,000 employees<br />

worldwide with 275 operating companies<br />

in over 60 countries.<br />

Johnson & Johnson are…<br />

• <strong>The</strong> world’s sixth-largest consumer<br />

health company<br />

• <strong>The</strong> world’s largest and most diverse<br />

medical devices and diagnostics<br />

company<br />

• <strong>The</strong> world’s sixth-largest biologics<br />

company<br />

• And the world’s sixth-largest<br />

pharmaceuticals company<br />

Johnson & Johnson are looking for<br />

talented, driven students ready to gain a<br />

head start to their career and take on the<br />

challenge of an industrial placement in<br />

this fast paced environment.<br />

@JNJTA_UK<br />

136 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Nihad thinks...<br />

Nihad Aziz<br />

From<br />

<strong>The</strong> University of Leeds<br />

Studying<br />

Bsc Economics and<br />

Finance<br />

Position<br />

Finance Trainee<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> assessment process was a great<br />

experience and allowed me to learn<br />

a lot about the company as well as<br />

allowing the company to assess me. I<br />

was given direct feedback promptly after<br />

the assessment centre which was very<br />

valuable.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

My role entailed an array of tasks within<br />

finance from reporting & analysing<br />

financial data via spreadsheets &<br />

presentations, streamlining processes, &<br />

business partnering.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Be ambitious and proactive to succeed<br />

here. J&J are very good at scouting<br />

out the right talent as well as rewarding<br />

talent and will give you the opportunity if<br />

you can show that you are determined,<br />

motivated, and willing to take initiative.<br />

“My placement at J&J exceeded<br />

my personal expectations.”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> variety of work and immense<br />

responsibility I have received this year<br />

has been extraordinary. I started the year<br />

as a FP&A analyst & then transitioned<br />

into reporting to the cluster SG&A .<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are the standard monthly tasks<br />

which Finance is responsible for, but it’s<br />

the ample opportunity to work on ad-hoc<br />

projects which I personally enjoyed the<br />

most.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

My placement at J&J exceeded my<br />

personal expectations. Placement<br />

students are considered contributing<br />

members of the team and do not just<br />

do the menial tasks. <strong>The</strong>re are ample<br />

business value-add opportunities to get<br />

involved in.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

J&J has an array of social activities and<br />

charity events that you can join outside<br />

of work. <strong>The</strong>re are sports teams, people<br />

from all skill levels are welcome and<br />

these are a great way to meet people<br />

that you may never have a professional<br />

interaction with.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I love my J&J<br />

placement because I get to work in one<br />

of the world’s largest, most reputable,&<br />

diverse MNC who truly care about their<br />

consumers<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 137


STEVE FINANCE GRADUATE<br />

ON HIS WAY TO PRESENT<br />

THE BUDGET.<br />

THIS IS ONE SMALL STEP<br />

FOR L’ORÉAL;<br />

ONE GIANT LEAP<br />

FOR STEVE.<br />

Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Consumer Goods<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Sales, Marketing,<br />

Operations, Finance, IT, Digital Marketing, HR<br />

Locations: London, Manchester, East Croydon,<br />

Watersmead<br />

Salary & Benefits: £16,000 - £18,000, 23-25<br />

days holiday, staff shop, training programme<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: 2:1 in any degree<br />

Application Process: Online Application (CV<br />

& Cover Letter), Online Psychometric Testing,<br />

Telephone Screening, Assessment Centre<br />

fb.me/LorealCareersUKI<br />

27th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

44 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:120<br />

With 32 world-famous brands selling<br />

in 130 countries, it’s easy to see why<br />

L’Oréal are the world’s No. 1 cosmetics<br />

group. Even our brands are household<br />

names in their own right. From Ralph<br />

Lauren to Diesel; Maybelline to the<br />

Body Shop, if there’s a name you love<br />

in cosmetics, there’s a good chance it’s<br />

ours. That’s because we have the best<br />

talent in the business, constantly working<br />

to invent and revolutionise the industry.<br />

We believe every day is a new day to<br />

explore and start new adventures, and<br />

that’s reflected in the talent we recruit<br />

for our industrial placements, summer<br />

internships and spring insights. You’ll<br />

be inventive and passionate; driven and<br />

talented. And we’ll help you do great<br />

things with that talent, challenging you to<br />

push yourself and hone your skills.<br />

Opportunities are available across our<br />

UK offices, and are also available with<br />

our beauty retail brand <strong>The</strong> Body Shop<br />

International. Wherever you are and<br />

whatever you do, you’ll work on real<br />

projects for global brands, and make<br />

a palpable impact on our international<br />

success story.<br />

@LOrealCareersUK<br />

138 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Henry thinks...<br />

Henry Cope<br />

From<br />

Newcastle University<br />

Studying<br />

Business Management<br />

Position<br />

Ecom Commercial Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

It first started with sending off my CV<br />

and a cover letter before being tasked to<br />

complete a numerical test online and then<br />

a phone interview. <strong>The</strong> final stage was an<br />

assessment centre in the L’Oréal offices<br />

which involved various different tasks and<br />

a final interview.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I have been given plenty of responsibility<br />

including project managing new product<br />

launches circa £3M value and also other<br />

onsite campaigns. This is way above<br />

what I was expecting when I started!<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

My advice would be to make sure you<br />

take up every opportunity you get in<br />

project work and also networking in order<br />

to make sure you get the most from your<br />

year – ask lots of questions and show<br />

you’re engaged!<br />

“Lots of social events that are<br />

organised for interns which<br />

makes it really easy to get to<br />

know everyone!”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

For me, my team has made it really<br />

enjoyable but also the opportunities I<br />

have had to lead projects and launch<br />

products – it has been very rewarding<br />

and exciting!<br />

Describe your biggest achievement?<br />

My biggest achievement has been<br />

the development and launch of 9<br />

new innovative branded packs for the<br />

business which has driven around £3M of<br />

turnover this year and is in store across 7<br />

retailers.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

In the evenings there are plenty of<br />

opportunities to play sports such as<br />

football on a Monday night and also<br />

mixed hockey. Aside from sports there<br />

are also lots of social events that are<br />

organised for interns which makes it<br />

really easy to get to know everyone!<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

<strong>The</strong> graduate program (Management<br />

Trainee Scheme) at L’Oréal is one that is<br />

very highly regarded and offers you the<br />

opportunity to rotate across the different<br />

divisions in the company, gaining the<br />

skills required in different segments of the<br />

business.<br />

@RateMyPlacement My placement at<br />

L’Oreal UK exceeded all my expectations<br />

providing me with plenty of great business<br />

experience and knowledge<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 139


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Retail<br />

36th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

16 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: One scheme rotating<br />

through various business departments<br />

Locations: UK nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: £20,500<br />

Entry Requirements: Ideally studying business<br />

or retail management, other disciplines<br />

considered<br />

Application Process: Apply online, attend a<br />

group interview then a second stage interview<br />

fb.me/<br />

@<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 22<br />

When whole TV programmes are devoted<br />

to the phenomenal rise of Lidl UK and its<br />

growing market share in the UK retail<br />

groceries sector, you’ve got to ask<br />

yourself what is the secret to their<br />

success?<br />

In fact, it’s no secret. For two decades<br />

the company has been building a loyal<br />

customer base founded on giving<br />

the customers what they really want.<br />

Consistent quality and value have always<br />

been their cornerstone but now, as<br />

supermarket giants struggle to retain their<br />

position, Lidl UK have been hitting the<br />

national headlines as the buying public<br />

switch their allegiance.<br />

Lidl’s UK Retail Placement Programme<br />

offers variety, responsibility and longterm<br />

career opportunities in one of the<br />

UK’s great retail successes. You’ll have<br />

exposure to the talent and expertise<br />

across their stores and warehouses<br />

amongst other business areas. As<br />

holders of prestigious awards including<br />

the Times <strong>Top</strong> 100 Graduate <strong>Employers</strong>,<br />

Lidl UK will give you the experience you<br />

need to develop priceless new skills so<br />

that by the end, your confidence will be at<br />

an all-time high.<br />

140 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Alisha thinks...<br />

Alisha Patel<br />

From<br />

University of Liverpool<br />

Studying<br />

International Business<br />

Position<br />

Placement Student<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> quick turn-around two-stage process<br />

made me so comfortable. <strong>The</strong>re was a<br />

relaxed, conversational style and I felt<br />

they genuinely wanted to know me. Even<br />

meeting the Regional Director, he was<br />

friendly and open, making me want the<br />

placement even more.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Be open, ask questions. Although<br />

everyone has the same goal at Lidl, each<br />

department is different with so many roles<br />

and areas of expertise. If you like waking<br />

early, taking responsibility and want to<br />

get stuck in, this is the placement for you.<br />

“I love everyone here. I think<br />

everyone’s got a really good<br />

sense of team culture. Everyone’s<br />

very grounded in what they do.”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

My friends doing placements only<br />

work in one business area, but I’m<br />

constantly changing, readying me for<br />

my final year. <strong>The</strong> variety is outstanding<br />

- real responsibility, complete trust and<br />

everyone really wants to get to know you.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

I love everyone here. I think everyone’s<br />

got a really good sense of team culture.<br />

Everyone’s very grounded in what they<br />

do, especially the higher up people get,<br />

it’s as if they become more down-to-earth<br />

here.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

I can still stay in contact with Lidl<br />

through my final year and be a Brand<br />

Ambassador, something I know I’d enjoy.<br />

I love the company and having done the<br />

placement I could apply for a job straight<br />

away or join a graduate schemes for<br />

more exposure.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

It’s gone beyond. You aren’t really sure<br />

what a placement’s going to be like when<br />

you’ve never really worked a full-time job<br />

before. All I did has definitely exceeded<br />

my expectations – I got exposure to so<br />

much - I’ve travelled pretty much all over<br />

the country and been involved in such a<br />

variety of things.<br />

@RateMyPlacement No two days<br />

are the same in Lidl UK; there are always<br />

unexpected challenges. Irrespective, I thrive<br />

off this and look forward to each day.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 141


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

49th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

227 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Banking and<br />

Finance<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Retail Banking,<br />

Commercial Banking, Digital, HR, Finance,<br />

Business Management, Legal IT, Audit, Risk,<br />

Insurance<br />

Locations: Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: £18000+ pro rata annual<br />

salary plus location allowance<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:2 and above<br />

Application Process: Online application process<br />

involving strengths-based testing, numerical<br />

reasoning testing and video interview<br />

fb.me/discoverwhatmatters<br />

@LBGTalent<br />

How to apply<br />

142 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 200+<br />

Lloyds Banking Group is a UK financial<br />

services group with over 30 million<br />

customers, and a presence in nearly<br />

every community. Our main brands<br />

include Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland,<br />

Halifax and Scottish Widows.<br />

Our paid summer internships and graduate<br />

programmes are as broad as our business.<br />

Opportunities range from leading digital<br />

and IT innovation, to shaping strategy,<br />

from interpreting complex financial<br />

figures, to helping high street customers,<br />

supporting small UK businesses and<br />

Global corporations, alike.<br />

At Lloyds Banking Group, you’re<br />

encouraged to embrace your individuality<br />

and grow professionally. You’ll discover<br />

training and mentoring from experienced<br />

business leaders, agile working, and<br />

a supportive network of individuals all<br />

committed to helping you and Britain<br />

prosper. We foster an inclusive and openminded<br />

culture and have been named in<br />

<strong>The</strong> Times <strong>Top</strong> 50 <strong>Employers</strong> for Women<br />

<strong>2016</strong> and the top private sector employer<br />

for LGBT people in the <strong>2016</strong> Stonewall<br />

<strong>Top</strong> 100.<br />

Join us and discover where your unique<br />

strengths can take you.


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

24th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

22 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Research &<br />

Development<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 29<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Engineering, Chemistry,<br />

IT, Business Support, Purchasing, Marketing,<br />

Global Communications and HR<br />

Locations: Hazelwood, Derbyshire & Blackley,<br />

Manchester<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive including an<br />

excellent benefits package<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:2 or above in a<br />

degree related to the student position they are<br />

applying for<br />

Application Process: Online application,<br />

telephone screen, onsite assessment centre<br />

<strong>The</strong> Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire<br />

Hathaway company, is a technology<br />

driven global company serving customers<br />

in more than 100 countries. We own and<br />

operate manufacturing facilities in 17<br />

countries as well as sales and technical<br />

offices around the world. Through our<br />

global sales and manufacturing networks,<br />

we are able to deliver the products and<br />

services our customers need, where and<br />

when they need them.<br />

As a Lubrizol Placement Student, you<br />

will work for one of the world’s premier<br />

speciality chemical companies and<br />

acquire experience in a professional<br />

and challenging environment. You will<br />

have access to a competitive employee<br />

benefits program, gain real project<br />

experience, build a network, gain a<br />

competitive edge, and much more.<br />

Lubrizol currently offers over 20 student<br />

placement opportunities, the majority of<br />

which are based at the Hazelwood R&D<br />

and business site in Derbyshire. If your<br />

values match ours, you may be a good fit<br />

for our company.<br />

fb.me/<br />

@<br />

144 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Katie thinks...<br />

Katie Rogers<br />

From<br />

University of Birmingham<br />

Studying<br />

Business Management<br />

with Year in Industry<br />

Position<br />

Marketing Placment<br />

Student<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

After an online application I had a<br />

telephone interview, followed by an<br />

assessment centre, which involved an<br />

interview, short presentation and a site<br />

tour. <strong>The</strong> marketing team were friendly<br />

and put me at ease, allowing me to ask<br />

questions throughout.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

During my time at Lubrizol I was treated<br />

just like any permanent member of staff.<br />

Most of my work was independent, and<br />

regular check-ins with my supervisors<br />

kept me on track. As my skills and<br />

industry knowledge increased, I was<br />

given more responsibility.<br />

“For undergrads who are looking<br />

to work for a company with a<br />

welcoming student community,<br />

look no further.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Don’t be put off by the fact that you<br />

haven’t heard of Lubrizol. <strong>The</strong>y’re<br />

a global leader, an innovation-led<br />

B2B company working with chemical<br />

companies including the global oil<br />

marketers - it’s the chance to be a big<br />

part of something really special.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I really enjoyed developing my creative<br />

and analytical skills. Designing<br />

storyboards for animations, creating<br />

PowerPoints, and analysing market<br />

research meant that I could really put<br />

myself through the paces and think<br />

outside the box.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

For undergrads who are looking to work<br />

for a company with a welcoming student<br />

community, look no further. Enjoy nights<br />

out on the town, BBQs and pizza nights<br />

in. Lubrizol also has a thriving Sports<br />

and Social Club who regularly organise<br />

subsidised events.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

My placement has definitely helped<br />

to give me my first step up onto the<br />

career ladder, as well as broadening<br />

my horizons in terms of the industries<br />

I’m interested in. Lubrizol has excellent<br />

retention rates, and I’d love to come back<br />

and work here.<br />

@RateMyPlacement @LubrizolJobs<br />

<strong>The</strong> best, most rewarding year of my life!<br />

Developed my skills, met amazing people<br />

+ kickstarted my career. #LubrizolLoving<br />

#DontWantToLeave #YINI<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 145


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

IT/Technology<br />

69th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

32 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Software Engineering,<br />

Test Engineering & Support Engineering<br />

Locations: London, Edinburgh, Coventry,<br />

Chester, Cambridge<br />

Salary & Benefits: £35,000<br />

Entry Requirements: 360<br />

Application Process: Online application, online<br />

tests, assessment day<br />

fb.me/<br />

@<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 40<br />

Metaswitch Networks are at the forefront<br />

of a technology revolution that is<br />

changing how networks are built, how<br />

information is distributed and how we<br />

will communicate in the future. We are<br />

recruiting exceptionally bright interns to<br />

work as:<br />

Software Engineers – responsible for<br />

developing industry-leading, openly<br />

programmable solutions that run on<br />

standard hardware or in virtualized<br />

environments. <strong>The</strong> software engineering<br />

team use a wide variety of programming<br />

languages within an agile environment.<br />

Test Engineers – ensure that our<br />

products meet our customers’ exacting<br />

standards and deliver carrier-grade<br />

performance and reliability in even the<br />

most challenging conditions. <strong>The</strong> system<br />

test team use a wide variety of test<br />

practises, a mixture of formal analysis,<br />

and informal exploratory testing.<br />

Support Engineers – work closely<br />

with our global customer base to help<br />

them with design, implementation and<br />

troubleshooting of deployments involving<br />

a wide range of Metaswitch and partner<br />

products.<br />

146 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

1st<br />

Reviewed by<br />

65 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Sales, Marketing,<br />

Business, IT<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 70<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Variety of roles within<br />

business, consulting, technical<br />

Locations: Reading, London, Edinburgh<br />

Salary & Benefits: £17,000<br />

Entry Requirements: N/A<br />

Application Process: Application form and test,<br />

video interview, AC, check out our website for<br />

details www.microsoftstudentsuk.net<br />

fb.me/MicrosoftUKGraduateRecruitment<br />

@MsUkStudents<br />

How to apply<br />

At Microsoft we like to help people to<br />

get stuff done. It’s that simple. Whether<br />

it’s work or play, education, gaming or<br />

business, we’re changing the way people<br />

think about how technology should<br />

work. We’re bringing it together so that<br />

it empowers and works for everyone, in<br />

a simple, human, mobile way that suits<br />

them. Our interns have the opportunity<br />

to take on a unique role in one of several<br />

business areas. Roles are varied and<br />

stretch across the entire organisation<br />

from software engineering to sales, from<br />

marketing to corporate affairs and more.<br />

Your experience starts with an induction,<br />

which will provide you with the necessary<br />

tools and information to be successful.<br />

You’ll also be given opportunities to<br />

develop and grow, receive mentoring and<br />

coaching, participate in stretch projects,<br />

charity initiatives, external events and<br />

global projects.<br />

Our interns are given opportunities to<br />

deliver plenty of business impact for<br />

Microsoft. We’re hoping you can help us<br />

build our business into it’s exciting future.<br />

Visit our blog for further information<br />

www.beyourfuture.net<br />

148 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Anastasia thinks...<br />

Anastasia Hill<br />

From<br />

University of Kent<br />

Studying<br />

International Business<br />

with a year in Industry<br />

Position<br />

Sales Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> recruitment process is designed to<br />

see your potential, not just the ability you<br />

already have. <strong>The</strong> process included an<br />

application form, video interviews and an<br />

assessment day, the best advice I could<br />

give is to relax and be yourself.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I felt extremely privileged during my<br />

placement to be trusted with so much<br />

responsibility, I’ve led projects with<br />

stakeholders from our customers to the<br />

UK Leadership Team, all in just a year!<br />

You’re never seen as ‘just the intern’.<br />

“I’ve led projects with<br />

stakeholders from our customers<br />

to the UK Leadership Team, all<br />

in just a year!”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Microsoft isn’t focused on hiring one<br />

type of candidate, in every stage of the<br />

recruitment programme it’s okay to ask<br />

questions about the roles - it’s about you<br />

being the right match for the role just as<br />

much as it about Microsoft wanting you.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I loved my placement at Microsoft but<br />

the highlight for me was working with<br />

my team. Throughout the year the team<br />

overwhelmed me with their support and<br />

constant offers of learning and shadowing<br />

opportunities. <strong>The</strong>y made the experience<br />

amazing!<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> ‘office atmosphere’ is different for all<br />

of our offices in the UK- one of the major<br />

benefits of a sales role is all the travelling<br />

to our offices and customer sites. All of<br />

them are welcoming and friendly but each<br />

is different!<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

My biggest achievement in the year<br />

was being asked to host our UK Town<br />

Hall, a meeting for all UK employees.<br />

This included hosting the event and<br />

introducing our UK CEO and at this event<br />

our Global CEO Satya Nadella, I was so<br />

lucky!<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

Microsoft has incredible graduate<br />

opportunities in the UK and abroad,<br />

after you finish your intern year you are<br />

encouraged to apply for a graduate role<br />

and continue to make an impact. Just like<br />

the intern year there are all sorts of roles<br />

available!<br />

@RateMyPlacement absolutely loved<br />

my year with @MicrosoftUK, what an<br />

amazing company and group of individuals.<br />

Can’t wait to graduate and continue my<br />

career journey #PlacementWin #InternLife<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 149


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Global financial<br />

services<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

7th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

108 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:450<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Institutional Securities,<br />

Investment Management and Infrastructure<br />

divisions<br />

Locations: UK (London, Glasgow), Europe,<br />

Middle East<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive starting salary +<br />

benefits<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: 2:1, or international<br />

equivalent in any degree<br />

Application Process: Online (CV and cover<br />

letter), online psychometric testing<br />

Our business<br />

Morgan Stanley is more than a leading<br />

financial services firm. With offices<br />

spanning 43 countries and talented,<br />

passionate people bringing excellence<br />

and integrity to everything we do, the<br />

firm is truly global. Throughout the firm’s<br />

history, diverse and talented individuals<br />

have worked together to develop our<br />

new ideas and ground-breaking financial<br />

products.<br />

Our successes<br />

Morgan Stanley has maintained its<br />

leadership position in the industry for<br />

many years. <strong>The</strong> firm’s investment<br />

banking franchise regularly features at<br />

the top of the league tables for Mergers<br />

& Acquisitions and IPOs. Our research,<br />

strategy, and economics teams are<br />

consistently ranked highly in investor<br />

surveys. Our Sales & Trading, Prime<br />

Brokerage, Wealth Management and<br />

Asset Management businesses have<br />

won multiple awards over the years and<br />

Morgan Stanley’s commitment to diversity<br />

and equality has also received accolades.<br />

@MorganStanley<br />

150 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Rosie thinks...<br />

Rosie Stock<br />

From<br />

Bristol University<br />

Studying<br />

French and Russian<br />

Position<br />

Fixed Income and<br />

Commodities Analyst<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

I really enjoyed the interview process; it<br />

was very much a two-way interview and<br />

gave me a good flavour of what the job<br />

would be like. You meet many different<br />

people and have the opportunity to find<br />

out as much about the role and the<br />

culture as you want.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

It’s amazing how much responsibility<br />

you’re given. While Morgan Stanley is a<br />

big company, we’re organised into small<br />

teams on the trading floor which means<br />

that you have the opportunity to make<br />

a meaningful contribution and work on<br />

important tasks.<br />

“Every day is different and I’m<br />

always learning something new<br />

which is incredibly fulfilling.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Read up on Morgan Stanley as much<br />

as possible and ask any questions you<br />

have. <strong>The</strong>y’re not necessarily looking<br />

for vast amounts of financial knowledge,<br />

just a keen interest and enthusiasm for<br />

markets.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

Every day is different and I’m always<br />

learning something new which is<br />

incredibly fulfilling.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

I thought that coming from a non-finance<br />

background would make it more difficult<br />

at first, but I loved the challenge and it<br />

meant that my learning curve was a lot<br />

steeper than others.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement?<br />

You can pitch trade ideas throughout the<br />

programme and it’s exciting when you get<br />

to know a company well enough to have<br />

a discussion with experts on it. Looking<br />

back, my progression whilst I have been<br />

at Morgan Stanley is also my greatest<br />

achievement.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

I’m constantly learning; I look back at<br />

myself even a few weeks ago and I’m<br />

taken aback at how much I’ve managed<br />

to pick up. My managers and everyone<br />

around me are very supportive of me<br />

learning as much as possible.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I loved my<br />

placement at Morgan Stanley. It gave me<br />

an insight into what my future career could<br />

be like and challenged me every day.<br />

#illbeback #nurtured<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 151


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Corporate and<br />

Commercial Law<br />

38th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

29 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Legal<br />

Locations: London and Sheffield<br />

Salary & Benefits: £325 per week (London),<br />

£275 per week (Sheffield)<br />

Entry Requirements: 340 UCAS points (AAB at<br />

A Level), 2.1 or above in any degree<br />

Application Process: Online application, video<br />

interview, assessment centre<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 55<br />

Nabarro is a leading international law firm<br />

with offices in London, Brussels, Dubai,<br />

Manchester, Sheffield and Singapore with<br />

over 100 partners leading more than 300<br />

lawyers. We offer a broad range of<br />

legal services to major national and<br />

international clients.<br />

Our core practice areas include<br />

Corporate/Commercial, Real Estate,<br />

Dispute Resolution and Infrastructure,<br />

Construction and Energy. <strong>The</strong> sectors<br />

where we have a particular specialism<br />

include Healthcare, Infrastructure, Real<br />

Estate and Technology.<br />

Our trainees are based in our London or<br />

Sheffield office and undertake six fourmonth<br />

seats, ensuring exposure to the<br />

firm’s core practice areas.<br />

We recruit all our trainees from our<br />

vacation schemes. Our schemes ensure<br />

you gain an insight into our business,<br />

the type of work on offer and the people<br />

you’ll be working with. You will spend<br />

the duration of the scheme in one<br />

department, allowing you to grow in<br />

confidence, obtain ‘real’ work and build<br />

relationships within your team.<br />

@nabarrograds<br />

152 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


Our Summer Scheme.<br />

A dozen awards, and counting.<br />

What are your chances of winning a Training Contract with Nabarro<br />

without first getting to know us on our Summer Scheme? In a word,<br />

non-existent. <strong>The</strong>se days, every trainee who joins us starts here.<br />

To find out why joining Nabarro, via our multi-award-winning Summer<br />

Scheme, will greatly increase your chances of building the kind of career<br />

you want, just roll up for a chat at the next Law Fair you see us at.<br />

We’d love to meet you. Or visit: graduates.nabarro.com<br />

Your future as a lawyer. Leave nothing to chance.


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

75th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

17 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Engineering<br />

& Business<br />

Management<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 50<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Civil, Electrical and<br />

Mechanical Engineering, Business and Project<br />

Management, Finance, Business Technology,<br />

Building Surveying and HR<br />

Locations: Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: £17,000, 28 days annual<br />

leave, subsidised rail travel (75% up to £2,250<br />

max) on rail or underground season tickets<br />

fb.me/networkrailgraduates<br />

@networkrail<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:2<br />

Application Process: Online application, Online<br />

tests, Video Interview, Assessment Centre<br />

<strong>The</strong> railway is vital to Britain’s future<br />

economic success. That’s why Network<br />

Rail manages more engineering projects<br />

and employs more specialists than other<br />

UK organisations. Our work programme<br />

for the next five years will have major<br />

benefits for the whole country.<br />

Our award-winning architectural<br />

developments are helping to regenerate<br />

towns and businesses. We’re adding<br />

these to the 15,795 kilometres of rail,<br />

2,515 stations, 32,000 viaducts, bridges<br />

and tunnels and 9,000 level crossings<br />

that we already look after.<br />

We are one of the largest land and<br />

property owners in the country. We<br />

manage 18 of the biggest stations in<br />

Britain, transforming their hidden corners<br />

into thriving shops, cafés and bars.<br />

Meanwhile, our 17,000km-long fibre<br />

optic network powers our track-side<br />

signals, electrical systems and line-side<br />

telephones.<br />

With incredibly varied opportunities to<br />

grow, develop and take your career<br />

wherever you want it to, you’ll be<br />

able to explore the many parts of our<br />

organisation. We truly are a Network<br />

Unlimited.<br />

154 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Annabel thinks...<br />

Annabel Kate Downing<br />

From<br />

University of Leeds<br />

Studying<br />

Architectural Engineering<br />

(Industrial)<br />

Position<br />

Engineering Placement<br />

Student<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> initial sign up on to the scheme was<br />

simple; this was followed by a variety<br />

of tests and interviews before attending<br />

the final stage, the assessment centre.<br />

Network Rail was great at keeping me<br />

updated at every stage of the way.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I was given a great amount of<br />

responsibility which made me feel part<br />

of the team, from evolving the way major<br />

structures are managed on the route to a<br />

training scheme to prepare engineers to<br />

examine tunnels.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> atmosphere was a friendly<br />

working environment, with a<br />

balance between working and<br />

socialising.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Don’t be put off by the fact it is an asset<br />

management placement and seize every<br />

opportunity that you come across, this<br />

way you will experience much more. I<br />

was fortunate enough to spend a few<br />

days with a heritage architect on the<br />

Ordsall Chord project.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> highlight of my placement was the<br />

variety of exciting projects I got to be a<br />

part of, both office and site based. No two<br />

days were the same!<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

At university you do not gain an<br />

appreciation for asset management. As<br />

my placement was in an area I had never<br />

experienced I was a little apprehensive<br />

as to what to expect. However it has<br />

definitely exceeded my expectations.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> Manchester office is a large open<br />

plan modern office block, with each floor<br />

split in to zones. <strong>The</strong> atmosphere was<br />

a friendly working environment, with a<br />

balance between working and socialising.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

Network Rail heavily promotes<br />

their graduate and undergraduate<br />

opportunities at various open days and<br />

career fairs that placement students can<br />

help at. <strong>The</strong>re were also various STEM<br />

outreach projects we could get involved<br />

in as well as charitable work.<br />

@RateMyPlacement what a year<br />

full of great experiences it has been, I<br />

have loved every minute of it! Thanks for<br />

having me @NetworkRail #dontwanttogo<br />

#Placement<strong>2016</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 155


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Banking, Markets,<br />

Technology,<br />

Finance<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Banking, Sales, Trading,<br />

Research, Structuring, Operations, Technology,<br />

Finance, Compliance, Risk<br />

Locations: London and European offices<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary, onsite<br />

gym and canteen<br />

How to apply<br />

23rd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

24 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 100+<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted or obtained 2:1<br />

in any degree<br />

Application Process: Online Application, Online<br />

Tests, CV & Cover Letter, Interview, Case Study<br />

Nomura is an Asia-headquartered<br />

financial services group with an<br />

integrated global network spanning<br />

over 30 countries. By ‘Connecting<br />

Markets East & West’, Nomura services<br />

the needs of individuals, institutions,<br />

corporates and governments through its<br />

three business divisions: Retail, Asset<br />

Management, and Wholesale (Global<br />

Markets and Investment Banking).<br />

Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a<br />

tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship,<br />

serving clients with creative solutions and<br />

considered thought leadership.<br />

At Nomura, internships are the perfect<br />

preparation for a subsequent full time<br />

role. We offer a range of graduate and<br />

internship programmes across three<br />

key areas; investment banking, global<br />

markets and corporate infrastructure.<br />

Internship opportunities can include a<br />

10 week spring or summer internship in<br />

London or a 3-6 month internship in one<br />

of our regional offices.<br />

fb.me/<br />

@Nomura<br />

156 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


Make an<br />

impression<br />

Build your investment banking<br />

career at Nomura<br />

With a global network spanning over 30 countries,<br />

we’re able to connect our retail, asset management<br />

and wholesale clients to opportunities – wherever<br />

they are.<br />

We are now looking for the next generation of entrepreneurs<br />

and leaders to join our highly nimble and diverse workforce.<br />

If you want to make an impression and build a long term<br />

career in investment banking, come and discover more<br />

about Nomura. This could be a perfect fit for you.<br />

Our internship programs & deadlines:<br />

Internship Programs<br />

(Investment Banking, Global Markets & Corporate Infrastructure)<br />

Apply by no later than January 1, <strong>2017</strong>*<br />

Insight Programs<br />

(targeted towards students graduating in 2018)<br />

Apply by no later than January 15, <strong>2017</strong>*<br />

* We recruit on a rolling basis, so please apply<br />

as soon as possible<br />

nomura.com/connects<br />

To find out more and apply, visit<br />

www.nomura.com/careers<br />

© Nomura International plc <strong>2016</strong>. Nomura is the global marketing name of Nomura Holdings, Inc. (Tokyo) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries worldwide including Nomura International (Hong Kong) Limited, licensed<br />

and regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, Nomura Securities International, Inc (New York), a member of FINRA, NYSE and SIPC and Nomura International plc (London), authorised by the<br />

Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority and member of the London Stock Exchange. This is not an offer, solicitation or recommendation<br />

to buy or sell securities.


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

57th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

34 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Recruitment<br />

Roles Recruited Into: Recruitment, Business<br />

Development, Sales<br />

Locations: Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 0<br />

PageGroup is one of the world’s<br />

best-known and most respected<br />

recruitment consultancies. We are a<br />

trusted recruitment partner to leading<br />

organisations and provide tailored<br />

solutions to companies across a range of<br />

industries. Through organic growth, we<br />

have become a FTSE 250 company with<br />

more than 5,680 employees globally and<br />

have repeatedly been voted as one of<br />

the Sunday Times 100 best companies to<br />

work for.<br />

As a people-to-people business<br />

our greatest asset is our people –<br />

experienced recruitment professionals,<br />

working at a local level, providing a<br />

personal and dedicated service to clients<br />

and candidates.<br />

Over 85% of our managers started out<br />

as consultants and a notable number of<br />

them started their career with us on our<br />

internship and graduate programmes.<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:2 or above in<br />

any degree<br />

Application Process: TBC<br />

fb.me/JoinPageGroupUK<br />

@joinpagegroupuk<br />

158 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Lauren thinks...<br />

Lauren Posada<br />

From<br />

Durham University<br />

Studying<br />

Law LLB<br />

Position<br />

Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> interview process was quick,<br />

the first stage was application form,<br />

then a telephone interview and then<br />

I attended an assessment centre in<br />

London. <strong>The</strong> final stage was a meeting<br />

with my manager and to meet the team.<br />

PageGroup got back to me very quickly<br />

after each stage and I never felt like I was<br />

left in the dark!<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

Throughout the internship I got involved<br />

in client and candidate meetings,<br />

speaking with clients and candidates on<br />

the phone and managing the recruitment<br />

cycle for candidates which I had sourced.<br />

<strong>The</strong> brilliant thing about the internship is<br />

that you get out as much as you put in.<br />

Your team are really willing to help and<br />

you can get involved in whichever area<br />

you want.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> internship hugely helps<br />

with starting as a graduate as<br />

it allows you to understand the<br />

basics.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Show your personality! This is a people<br />

facing role and is all about making an<br />

impact. Candidates and clients have to<br />

buy into you as much as you have to buy<br />

into them. Also go in with an open mind;<br />

I didn’t know much about recruitment<br />

consultancy before I started researching<br />

internships but learnt so much throughout<br />

the first eight weeks I was here.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> responsibility given to me and<br />

the fact that from the first day I was<br />

continually challenged! I also really<br />

enjoyed meeting candidates and clients.<br />

This isn’t a role where you are behind a<br />

desk all day – you are constantly building<br />

a professional network on the phone and<br />

out of the office on meetings.<br />

How are the prospects now that you<br />

are a graduate consultant?<br />

<strong>The</strong> graduate prospects are really<br />

promising. I joined as a graduate<br />

and have been here for almost three<br />

months. <strong>The</strong> internship hugely helps<br />

with starting as a graduate as it allows<br />

you to understand the basics. From the<br />

beginning of my graduate career I was<br />

shown the progression path and talked<br />

through how to get there. One thing that<br />

really drew me to PageGroup is that your<br />

career progression is in your own hands!<br />

@RateMyPlacement I loved my<br />

placement at PageGroup. It gave me a<br />

full and rounded experience of what a<br />

career in recruitment would be like. So<br />

much so I have now joined as a graduate!<br />

#bestinternshipever<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 159


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

10th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

316 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Professional Services,<br />

Consulting, Technology<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Actuarial, Assurance,<br />

Consulting, Deals, HR, Tax, Technology, Legal,<br />

Marketing<br />

Locations: UK-wide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary, holiday<br />

entitlement, healthcare, pension scheme, study<br />

support, bike scheme<br />

Entry Requirements: 2:1 in any degree subject<br />

Application Process: Please check<br />

www.rmp.gd/pwc<br />

fb.me/PwCCareersUK<br />

@PwC_UK_Careers<br />

How to apply<br />

160 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:800<br />

Opportunities are at the heart of a career<br />

with PwC. Our purpose is to build trust<br />

in society, solving important problems for<br />

our clients; helping them tackle complex<br />

business challenges and improving how<br />

they work. Our continued success, size<br />

and scale, not forgetting our extensive<br />

client base, creates an environment<br />

where undergraduates and graduates<br />

get access to the best career and work<br />

experience opportunities.<br />

No matter which year you’re in at<br />

university we have many ways you<br />

can learn, partly about us, but more<br />

importantly, about yourself. Wherever<br />

you join us, whether it’s one of our<br />

talent academies, women in business<br />

placements, summers internships,<br />

undergraduate or graduate placements,<br />

they could all lead to a permanent job<br />

with us.<br />

All routes offer you the same deal. <strong>The</strong><br />

opportunity to grow as an individual,<br />

to meet new people, and build lasting<br />

relationships that will stay with you for<br />

life. In return we need people who are<br />

resilient, willing to work hard, are quick to<br />

learn, and who, above all, are passionate<br />

about going the extra mile to help our<br />

clients.


What Bethan thinks...<br />

Bethan<br />

From<br />

University of Bath<br />

Studying<br />

Natural Sciences<br />

Position<br />

Assurance Summer Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> interview process was challenging<br />

but all the information you needed was<br />

set out clearly on the careers website. I<br />

received feedback quickly at the end of<br />

each stage.<br />

How much responsibility were you<br />

given?<br />

I was really surprised by the level of<br />

responsibility we were given right from<br />

the outset. I was involved in client work,<br />

had meetings with the client and felt like I<br />

contributed to the audit.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

someone applying for your role?<br />

Make sure your research what PwC has<br />

to offer. Attend careers fairs and careers<br />

events held by PwC to talk to people<br />

about their roles, this is a great way to<br />

gain an insight into what life at PwC<br />

might be like.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

This was definitely having enough<br />

confidence to talk to clients about their<br />

work. You have plenty of training before<br />

your first job and the support from the<br />

rest of the team was great.<br />

Where has your experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

What surprised me most was the<br />

exposure you get to senior people both<br />

within PwC and their clients. You’re<br />

assigned actual work which helps<br />

contribute to the overall Audit.<br />

What did you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> variety - during my 6 week placement<br />

I had the opportunity to work on a number<br />

of different clients in different industries.<br />

This really keeps work life interesting.<br />

Describe a situation where you<br />

surpassed expectations.<br />

I was able to take ownership for the work<br />

assigned to me and ensure that it was all<br />

completed within the required deadline.<br />

What was the atmosphere like in your<br />

team?<br />

One of the best things about working at<br />

PwC is the teams you work. Everyone<br />

is very supportive, approachable and<br />

friendly.<br />

What were the activities outside of<br />

work?<br />

I had the opportunity to join in social<br />

events after work with my fellow interns<br />

and also the office netball team.<br />

@RateMyPlacement my placement at<br />

PwC was great. I gained great experience<br />

of work life and I started my final year with a<br />

graduate job offer. #PwCtalent<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 161


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Financial Services<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

162 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Reviewed by<br />

31 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 100<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Global Investment<br />

Banking, Global Markets, Finance, Operations,<br />

Risk & Technology<br />

Locations: London<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1 in any degree<br />

discipline<br />

Application Process: Online Application<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

@RBC4Students<br />

How to apply<br />

65th<br />

Royal Bank of Canada is a premier<br />

investment bank that provides a<br />

focused set of products and services to<br />

institutions, corporations, governments<br />

and high net worth clients in over 100<br />

countries.<br />

We understand that the first steps in any<br />

career in finance are critical. With that<br />

in mind, we have the right formula to<br />

provide you with the opportunities and<br />

professional development you need to<br />

turn those first steps into a rewarding<br />

career.<br />

You’ll be part of a company with a<br />

superior financial track record, credit<br />

rating and reputation. In fact, we<br />

maintained a high credit rating throughout<br />

the recent financial crisis.<br />

Working at one of the world’s leading<br />

investment banks means you will benefit<br />

from the breadth of opportunity, depth<br />

of resources and quality of training that<br />

comes from our size, experience and<br />

strength. It will also give you the chance<br />

to work regularly with world-class clients<br />

and colleagues.<br />

In short, we provide the essential<br />

components to get your career off to a<br />

great start.


What Oliver thinks...<br />

Oliver Schofield<br />

From<br />

University of Oxford<br />

Studying<br />

Philosophy, Politics and<br />

Economics<br />

Position<br />

Global Investment<br />

Banking Analyst, Debt<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

I completed an online application and<br />

then was invited to a first round interview<br />

with two business associates. A week<br />

later I was invited to an assessment<br />

centre where I interviewed with Managing<br />

Directors as well as completing a group<br />

exercise.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

As an analyst, my main responsibilities<br />

are financial modelling, including<br />

assessing businesses on a variety<br />

of credit metrics, due diligence on<br />

companies to which we propose to lend,<br />

and the preparation of internal credit<br />

papers.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> training at RBC is<br />

excellent and even included<br />

four weeks in Toronto.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Be yourself. At the interview be confident<br />

and ask lots of questions. Make sure you<br />

really research the company and know<br />

why you want to work for them and what<br />

it is that makes them different. Be<br />

enthusiastic and engaged with your<br />

assessors.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> rotational programme and smaller,<br />

friendly teams are a k differentiator at<br />

RBC. Investment banking is an intense<br />

career path, but there’s a lot of support<br />

here to make sure that junior bankers are<br />

able to learn and develop in their careers.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

As part of our fundraising efforts for Great<br />

Ormand Street hospital I have taken part<br />

in the Great River Race and completed<br />

two Tough Mudders. I have also played in<br />

the RBC softball team for the interbank<br />

league and football tournaments.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

<strong>The</strong> training at RBC is excellent and even<br />

included four weeks in Toronto. I rotated<br />

between two desks during the graduate<br />

programme and felt that my opinion on<br />

where I wanted to go was listened to<br />

resulting in a full time offer on my<br />

preferred desk.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I loved my<br />

internship at RBC. Every day was different<br />

and there were so many fun activities<br />

alongside the normal work #culture #friends<br />

#cantwaittobeback<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 163


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

78th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

210 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Banking &<br />

Technology<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Tech, Functions, Private<br />

& Commercial Banking, Marketing, Risk, Internal<br />

Audit, Business Solutions<br />

Locations: UK Wide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive, varies per<br />

programme<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:500<br />

Entry Requirements: Varies per programme,<br />

UCAS points not required<br />

Application Process: Varies per programme,<br />

visit yourpassionyourpotential.rbs.com<br />

fb.me/rbsearlycareers<br />

@rbsearlycareers<br />

We’re the bank that’s determined to make<br />

a difference – to our customers, our<br />

people and the communities we serve.<br />

That determination is what makes<br />

RBS such an exciting place to work.<br />

We believe there’s a right way to do<br />

business, and we’ve created a fair, open,<br />

honest culture that values your passions<br />

and will help you achieve your full<br />

potential. And our programmes are the<br />

perfect way to begin your career with us.<br />

Whatever your degree, A Level/Highers<br />

subjects or level of experience, there’s<br />

a place for you here – as long as you<br />

have passion and determination. Our<br />

internships will give you a deep insight<br />

into how our business works today, our<br />

plans, our people and our caring culture<br />

while you pursue your own unique career<br />

path. It’s about more than just the chance<br />

to learn. It’s about making a difference<br />

by turning your ideas into actions;<br />

including enhancing your team-working<br />

abilities through the charity events for<br />

our interns. If you have talent, energy,<br />

and the commitment, a career with us is<br />

a challenge that will inspire and motivate<br />

you.<br />

164 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


Curious<br />

Authentic<br />

Great eye<br />

At RBS, we recognise that everyone is different and everyone has<br />

different things they love to do. Our Early Careers programmes<br />

give you the opportunity to turn that passion into a fulfilling career.<br />

We want you to have everything you need to ensure you get off to<br />

the best possible start by providing you with the tools and support<br />

to succeed with RBS.<br />

With responsibility from the beginning and the chance to work<br />

in some great locations, you will contribute to making RBS the<br />

number one bank for customer service, trust and advocacy.<br />

We want you to bring your curiosity, commitment and enthusiasm<br />

and together, we can make a difference.<br />

Your passion. Your potential.<br />

Discover how your passion could shape a career.<br />

yourpassionyourpotential.rbs.com


1.<br />

RIP UP THE<br />

RULE BOOK<br />

Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

41st<br />

Reviewed by<br />

15 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Law<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Law<br />

Locations: London<br />

Salary & Benefits: £300 per week<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1 in any degree<br />

Application Process: First interview face to<br />

face, Presentations, Written Exercise, Aptitude<br />

test and Case studies<br />

166 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 24<br />

fb.me /ReynoldsPorterChamberlain<br />

@LifeinaLawFirm<br />

How to apply<br />

Leading lawyers. Great clients. And<br />

an unrivalled commercial approach<br />

to business. At RPC we offer a depth<br />

of knowledge and creativity that few<br />

firms can rival, and combine this with<br />

high quality training programmes that<br />

are consistently lauded in the leading<br />

directories.<br />

Headquartered in a state of the art site<br />

in the City of London, we also have<br />

stunning offices in Bristol, Hong Kong and<br />

Singapore. Our open plan, collaborative<br />

working environment – where knowledge<br />

is easily shared and access to partners<br />

an everyday reality – is designed to bring<br />

out the best in our people and to ensure<br />

that the service we offer our clients is<br />

second to none. And it is.<br />

We provide top quality legal services to<br />

global businesses across a wide range of<br />

industry sectors and practices.<br />

If you want to join us in challenging<br />

convention, we’re offering training<br />

contracts on a full–time contract for two<br />

years.<br />

We’re intent on rewriting the rules. If you<br />

have courage and a pioneering spirit,<br />

we’d love to hear from you.


What Alex thinks...<br />

Alex Farrow<br />

From<br />

Birmingham<br />

Studying<br />

Law with French<br />

Position<br />

<strong>2016</strong> Trainee Solicitor<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> process was well rounded, and<br />

designed to bring out your skills and<br />

abilities. <strong>The</strong>re was a competency based<br />

interview, business focused task and<br />

networking. Everyone helped you feel<br />

relaxed and they were encouraging.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I was working on real life cases, not just<br />

dealing with hypothetical situations. I was<br />

actually able to feel like I was getting<br />

involved and sample the work a trainee<br />

would be doing on a day-to-day basis. I<br />

felt trusted and integrated very quickly.<br />

“RPC is brimming with<br />

personality! This is no firm for<br />

the mundane. I found that they<br />

valued you as a person as much<br />

as your technical ability.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Make sure you do your research! It’s<br />

important to understand the culture of<br />

RPC and what makes the firm special. It’s<br />

also important you know what’s unique<br />

about you. <strong>The</strong> whole experience was<br />

fantastic, so be prepared!<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

It was challenging but gave me a real<br />

insight. I was able to experience more of<br />

the firm by splitting my time across two<br />

different departments. <strong>The</strong> partners and<br />

senior staff took time to give us valuable<br />

insights and their visions of the future.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

Some of the research I produced was<br />

passed straight through to a client. It<br />

was great to be given so much exposure<br />

to what life would be like in a law firm.<br />

It was challenging, but the best way to<br />

learn is to be challenged!<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

From the moment you walked in the door<br />

you could tell that RPC was different. I<br />

didn’t think I would find such innovative<br />

and forward thinking people, I found it<br />

inspiring. It increased my desire to be an<br />

innovator in the legal arena.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

RPC is brimming with personality! This is<br />

no firm for the mundane. I found that they<br />

valued you as a person as much as your<br />

technical ability. Everyone shares a vision<br />

which means you can work amongst<br />

friends, not just colleagues.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I loved my insight<br />

to @Lifeinlawfirm. <strong>The</strong> experiences were<br />

challenging but rewarding! Looking forward<br />

to defining the future with @RPCLaw<br />

#illbeback #RPCpioneer<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 167


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus: Number of<br />

IT & Software Vacancies: 43<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Sales, Operations,<br />

Consulting, Marketing, Finance, HR,<br />

Recruitment, Software Programming<br />

Locations: Greater London, Maidenhead,<br />

Knutsford<br />

Salary & Benefits: £16,500, 25 Days Holiday + 1<br />

day birthday leave, study days, free lunch<br />

How to apply<br />

81st<br />

Reviewed by<br />

24 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Entry Requirements: 2:1<br />

Application Process: Online Application,<br />

Telephone Interview, Assessment Centre<br />

SAP is a world leader in business<br />

enterprise software; over 285,000<br />

customers across the globe are using<br />

SAP software right now to improve<br />

their business processes. By helping to<br />

manage their flow of information, SAP<br />

empowers people and organisations to<br />

work together more efficiently and use<br />

their business insight to become best run<br />

businesses.<br />

At SAP, our core passions are Integrity,<br />

Teamwork, Trust, Professionalism,<br />

Accountability and Success. We offer<br />

a large variety of different placement<br />

roles, ranging across all of the different<br />

business functions, from marketing<br />

and sales to consulting and finance.<br />

No matter what part of the business<br />

you are in, you will have a great deal of<br />

responsibility and exposure.<br />

Awarded as one of RateMyPlacement’s<br />

top undergraduate employers <strong>2016</strong>/<strong>2017</strong>,<br />

a placement with SAP guarantees that<br />

you will have the chance to make an<br />

impact, not only in your chosen role, but<br />

in the organisation as a whole.<br />

fb.me/SAP<br />

@SAPUKIreland<br />

168 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Zoe thinks...<br />

Zoe Leach-Leeson<br />

From<br />

Sheffield Hallam<br />

University<br />

Studying<br />

Computing<br />

Position<br />

Digital Business Services<br />

Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> process was fairly challenging<br />

but enjoyable because everyone is so<br />

welcoming that it gave me a good insight<br />

into what working at SAP would look like.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

Throughout the year as you build trust<br />

with your team, you are given more<br />

responsibility. For instance, I have a very<br />

trusting relationship with the management<br />

team in my department and that enables<br />

me to work on confidential projects.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> whole culture at SAP<br />

encourages you to work within<br />

dynamic teams and build a<br />

strong network.”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

Working collaboratively with a variety<br />

of different people to solve the<br />

unpredictable business challenges that<br />

arise.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Be prepared and willing to take on<br />

unexpected challenges that will come<br />

your way, because the IT industry is<br />

very fast paced and change is always<br />

challenging for organisations – being<br />

involved in that is always exciting.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

Recognising people’s expectation of your<br />

work capacity – you aren’t expected to<br />

complete everything that comes your<br />

way. Be empowered to say no and don’t<br />

overwhelm yourself.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

I work within a very friendly and<br />

welcoming team and the atmosphere<br />

in the office reflects that. <strong>The</strong> whole<br />

culture at SAP encourages you to work<br />

within dynamic teams and build a strong<br />

network.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

Very promising, early talent is a major<br />

priority for a lot of organisations, SAP<br />

included. If you consciously work towards<br />

that and prove how you can add value to<br />

the organisation then there is no limit to<br />

your opportunities.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I’ve had an<br />

incredible year at @SAPUKIreland. <strong>The</strong><br />

opportunities I have had within the Digital<br />

Business Services team have exceeded my<br />

expectations – I would highly recommend a<br />

placement with SAP to anyone looking for a<br />

challenge<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 169


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

43rd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

97 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Real Estate<br />

170 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 170<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Surveying, Rural, Capital<br />

Allowances, Urban Design, Building Surveying<br />

and Town Planning<br />

Locations: UK Nationwide & Europe<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive and<br />

Comprehensive<br />

fb.me/savills<br />

@SavillsGraduate<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: RICS/RTPI Accredited<br />

Course/passion for property/entrepreneurialism<br />

Application Process: Online application,<br />

telephone interview, assessment day<br />

Savills UK is a leading global real estate<br />

service provider listed on the London<br />

Stock Exchange. <strong>The</strong> Company employs<br />

over 30,000 staff and has 700 offices and<br />

associates worldwide, providing trainees<br />

with excellent scope for international<br />

experience as their careers develop.<br />

Savills passionately believe their<br />

graduates are future leaders and<br />

therefore make a huge investment<br />

in them. Our graduates are given<br />

responsibility in teams who involve<br />

them in high-profile property deals and<br />

developments. <strong>The</strong> Savills Graduate<br />

Programme offers the chance to gain an<br />

internationally recognised Professional<br />

qualification.<br />

Individual achievement is rewarded<br />

and Savills look for bold graduates<br />

with entrepreneurial flair. <strong>The</strong> diversity<br />

of Savills services means there is the<br />

flexibility to carve out a fulfilling and selftailored<br />

career path despite the location.<br />

Savills are proud to be <strong>The</strong> Times<br />

Graduate Employer of Choice for<br />

Property for the last decade.<br />

Savills are signatory to the RICS<br />

Inclusive Employer Quality Mark.


What Nick thinks...<br />

Nick Heard<br />

From<br />

Cardiff University<br />

Studying<br />

BSc Geography<br />

and Planning. MSc<br />

International Planning and<br />

Development<br />

Position<br />

Graduate Planner<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

I was interviewed by the Head of<br />

Planning and two Savills Fee Earners.<br />

As well as asking questions about my<br />

CV, there were a couple of technical and<br />

competency based questions. Knowing<br />

my CV and the local market inside out<br />

was key.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

A lot more than I anticipated. Teams are<br />

keen for Graduates to contribute towards<br />

client projects. It is extremely rewarding<br />

knowing your work is being used to earn<br />

fees.<br />

“Savills really look after their<br />

staff and provide excellent<br />

training opportunities. ”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Be enthusiastic and throw yourself into<br />

any opportunities that arise. Attending<br />

young professional and property specific<br />

networking events are great ways to<br />

meet potential future clients. Savills is<br />

an entrepreneurial company and being<br />

confident is key.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I enjoy the entrepreneurial nature of<br />

the job. Due to its size, Savills exposes<br />

Graduates to an exciting and variable<br />

range of projects. I like that no two days<br />

are ever the same.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

Trying to balance APC preparation<br />

alongside my day job can be challenging<br />

at times but the Graduate team provide a<br />

huge amount of training and assistance.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

Savills really look after their staff and<br />

provide excellent training opportunities.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are a number of social events<br />

throughout the year bringing together the<br />

office, region and department.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

Savills emphasise the importance of the<br />

APC and are incredibly supportive of<br />

their graduates, offering a huge amount<br />

of targeted training sessions - 40% of<br />

our Board members joined the Company<br />

as Graduates, showing that the career<br />

prospects are huge.<br />

@RateMyPlacement My placement at<br />

Savills gave me vital experience and made<br />

me more confident when applying for jobs<br />

#forwardthinking<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 171


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Oil and Gas,<br />

Engineering<br />

72nd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

18 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Engineering, Geoscience,<br />

Research, Software<br />

Locations: 7 UK locations + International<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive, 23 days holiday,<br />

Housing Allowance (if located more the 50<br />

miles away)<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1+ Degree in<br />

Engineering, Science, Maths, Computer Science,<br />

Geoscience<br />

Application Process: Apply online at www.rmp.<br />

gd/schlumberger, followed by interviews<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 50<br />

Schlumberger is the world’s leading<br />

supplier of technology, integrated project<br />

management and information solutions<br />

to customers working in the oil and gas<br />

industry worldwide. Employing more than<br />

95,000 people representing over 140<br />

nationalities and working in approximately<br />

85 countries, Schlumberger provides<br />

the industry’s widest range of products<br />

and services from exploration through to<br />

production.<br />

Each year we seek a large number of<br />

undergraduates with backgrounds in<br />

Engineering, Software, Science and<br />

Geoscience for placements, internships<br />

and insight schemes in the UK and<br />

internationally. With 125 research,<br />

engineering and manufacturing centres<br />

worldwide, we place strong emphasis<br />

on developing innovative technology<br />

that adds value to our customers. We<br />

also provide internships working within<br />

operations as Field Engineers where you<br />

will be exposed to the deployment and<br />

use of the technology in the oilfield.<br />

For more information please come by at<br />

a careers fairs or visit our website:<br />

www.careers.slb.com<br />

@<br />

172 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Nadia thinks...<br />

Nadia Domanski<br />

From<br />

University of Bath<br />

Studying<br />

MEng Mechanical<br />

Engineering<br />

Position<br />

Mechanical Engineer<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

I received a placement offer after<br />

attending an insight course called<br />

“Women in Technology” where, as part<br />

of a three day course, we had group<br />

projects and case studies as well as talks<br />

from engineers who worked in different<br />

areas of the company.<br />

How much responsibility were you<br />

given?<br />

A lot! I was surprised at how much<br />

responsibility we were given as interns,<br />

we were expected to deliver on many<br />

different projects and keep to timelines.<br />

I definitely felt like I was treated as a<br />

proper employee, not as a student.<br />

“Being able to apply what<br />

I learnt in the first two<br />

years of University in actual<br />

situations was fun, who knew<br />

Laplace equations had real life<br />

applications!”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

someone applying for your role?<br />

A strong technical foundation is a must,<br />

but being able to display engineering<br />

skills outside of your University course is<br />

even more important. Being passionate<br />

about technology, design and engineering<br />

was seen very favourably by the<br />

managers and recruiters. Finally, be<br />

prepared to work hard!<br />

What did you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

As the year progressed I enjoyed being<br />

given problems that nobody had solved<br />

before. Being able to apply what I learnt<br />

in the first three years of University<br />

in actual situations was fun… who<br />

knew Laplace equations had real life<br />

applications!<br />

Describe a situation where you<br />

surpassed expectations.<br />

I was asked to work with someone from a<br />

different team on a field failure, where we<br />

had just 24 hours to investigate, diagnose<br />

and fix the tool located in Mexico. It was<br />

extremely fast paced and hard work,<br />

I never expected to be invited to do<br />

something like this.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I have grown so<br />

much on placement year, both personally<br />

and professionally… Schlumberger have<br />

not seen the last of me!<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 173


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

67th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

17 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Law<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Trainee Solicitor<br />

Locations: Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham,<br />

Nottingham, Milton Keynes, Reading,<br />

Southampton<br />

Salary & Benefits: £275 per week<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Entry Requirements: Minimum CCC & a degree<br />

in any discipline (or equivalents)<br />

Application Process: Online application form<br />

fb.me/shoosmithsgraduates<br />

@ShoosmithsGrads<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 60<br />

Shoosmiths’ focus on people,<br />

relationships and results has defined its<br />

achievements for more than 160 years.<br />

We’re a modern national commercial<br />

law firm, recently named UK Law Firm<br />

of the Year at <strong>The</strong> British Legal Awards.<br />

Achieving this is a dedicated team of<br />

lawyers along with a strong support team,<br />

in 11 offices throughout the UK, from<br />

Southampton to Edinburgh.<br />

From property developers to some of<br />

the UK’s largest banks, we work with<br />

a growing number of the FTSE 250<br />

and some of the world’s most exciting,<br />

ambitious growth businesses.<br />

During your placement you will get a real<br />

insight into life as a trainee solicitor at<br />

Shoosmiths, and it can even fast track<br />

you to a place on our assessment day for<br />

a training contract.<br />

You’ll be buddied with a trainee and<br />

spend time working with clients, partners<br />

and qualified lawyers. Everyone in our<br />

firm makes a valuable contribution to<br />

the business and we get you involved in<br />

that too, from attending client meetings,<br />

tribunals, to legal research, contract<br />

drafting and business development.<br />

174 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


SEE YOURSELF AT<br />

SHOOSMITHS<br />

Develop your career at a firm<br />

focussed on putting people,<br />

relationships and results at the<br />

heart of your training contract.<br />

Apply now at<br />

www.shoosmiths.co.uk<br />

www.twitter.com/shoosmithsgrads<br />

www.facebook.com/shoosmithsgraduates


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

73rd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

23 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Engineering<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Engineering (mechanical,<br />

electrical, manufacturing), IT, Business, Finance,<br />

Project Management and HR<br />

Locations: UK wide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Average of £16,000<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 50<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:2 in relevant<br />

degree<br />

Application Process: Online application,<br />

psychometric tests, video interview, assessment<br />

centre<br />

As a global technology and engineering<br />

powerhouse, Siemens is behind a diverse<br />

range of technologies and services; from<br />

rail systems and energy management, to<br />

factory automation and medical imaging<br />

technology.<br />

We are known for our engineering<br />

expertise and ingenious solutions that our<br />

customers rely on. Our people are proud<br />

of their achievements and are inspired to<br />

be the best they can be because of the<br />

impact they have on UK society.<br />

We take on tough projects that make a<br />

difference. We build infrastructure where<br />

there is none. We energise the world,<br />

help industries run smoothly and create<br />

the digital tomorrow. We empower our<br />

interns and graduates to own and thrive<br />

on these challenges, enabling them to<br />

Maximise their potential. We have a<br />

diverse range of placement opportunities<br />

as well as a smaller number of internship<br />

opportunities all over the UK, for you to<br />

make real difference to the world we live<br />

in.<br />

fb.me/<br />

@SiemensUKJobs<br />

176 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


We’re creating the<br />

technologies that make<br />

societies succeed<br />

Are you in?<br />

As a global technology and engineering powerhouse, Siemens<br />

is behind a diverse range of technologies and services; from<br />

rail systems and energy management, to factory automation<br />

and medical imaging technology.<br />

We take on tough projects that make a difference. We build<br />

infrastructure where there is none. We energise the world,<br />

help industries run smoothly and create the digital tomorrow.<br />

Whether you want to develop a career in engineering or<br />

business, we offer placements and internships which will<br />

empower you to own and thrive on these challenges, enabling<br />

you to maximize your potential. Head to our website to find<br />

out more..<br />

siemens.co.uk/careers


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

34th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

28 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Financial Services,<br />

Investments<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Accountancy, Actuarial,<br />

Global Client Group, Human Resources,<br />

Investments, Marketing, Operations, Risk,<br />

Technology<br />

Locations: Edinburgh<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1 in any degree<br />

(some roles require specific subject<br />

Application Process: Online Application/CV, Online<br />

Test, Telephone Interview, Assesment Centre<br />

fb.me/standardlifeuk<br />

@SLCareers_<br />

How to apply<br />

178 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 35<br />

We’re an investment company, and we’ve<br />

helped people manage their money since<br />

1825.<br />

We administer over £307 billion, with<br />

Standard Life Investments managing<br />

£253 billion. We’re based in Edinburgh,<br />

and support around 4.5 million customers<br />

and clients across 46 countries. We<br />

support around 25 million more through<br />

partnerships in India and China.<br />

To deliver products and services that help<br />

people invest and plan with confidence,<br />

we rely on our 6,500 employees.<br />

Talented people, with diverse skills<br />

and perspectives, working as a team.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re’s also a strong sense of social<br />

responsibility. As part of our intern<br />

programme, you’ll have challenging<br />

projects with real responsibilities. <strong>The</strong>re’s<br />

great support – a big community of<br />

interns and graduates, support towards<br />

accommodation in Edinburgh, and a<br />

personal development programme to<br />

complement your on-the-job learning.<br />

And you’ll gain the confidence that you’re<br />

on the right career path. We offer many<br />

interns a role on our graduate programme<br />

the next year too.<br />

(All figures as at 31 December 2015)


to making an impact<br />

From great potential<br />

We deliver products and services that help people invest and<br />

plan with confidence.To do that, we rely on talented people.<br />

Diverse skills and perspectives. And team players, all playing<br />

to their strengths.<br />

If you’re one of our graduates or interns, this means you too.<br />

You’ll have big challenges. Real responsibilities. And a great<br />

support network.<br />

ACCOUNTANCY<br />

ACTUARIAL<br />

GLOBAL CLIENT GROUP<br />

HUMAN RESOURCES<br />

INVESTMENTS<br />

MARKETING<br />

OPERATIONS<br />

TECHNOLOGY<br />

If you’re starting on your career path – and your ambition<br />

matches ours – we’ll help you create a clear route to follow.<br />

www.standardlife.com/graduates


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Law<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Vacation scheme <strong>2017</strong>,<br />

First year insight event <strong>2017</strong><br />

Locations: London and 32 other offices<br />

worldwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: £275 per week<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: ABB at A-Level and<br />

predicted 2:1 at undergraduate<br />

Application Process: Please visit<br />

www.rmp.gd/taylorwessing for more<br />

information<br />

fb.me/taylorwessinggraduates<br />

8th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

77 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 70<br />

Taylor Wessing is a full-service<br />

international law firm, working with clients<br />

in the world’s most dynamic industries.<br />

Our focus on industries of tomorrow such<br />

as technology, life sciences, and energy<br />

means that alongside law students, we<br />

also recruit a wide range of students with<br />

non-law degrees.<br />

Vacation Schemes<br />

Our vacation schemes are designed<br />

for you to experience life as a trainee<br />

solicitor in a fast-paced, innovative City<br />

law firm. You’ll spend two weeks in two<br />

different practice groups gaining firsthand<br />

experience under the supervision<br />

of associates and partners. In all, 70%<br />

of our trainee intake comes from our<br />

vacation scheme.<br />

First year insight & Open days<br />

In April <strong>2017</strong> we will be holding an insight<br />

event for candidates in their first year at<br />

university or second year of a four-year<br />

course. Registration will open from 1st<br />

October <strong>2016</strong>.<br />

@TaylorWessing<br />

180 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Harry thinks...<br />

Harry Ruffell<br />

From<br />

Durham University<br />

Studying<br />

Modern Languages<br />

(French, Spanish, Italian)<br />

Position<br />

Vacation Scheme Student<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> interview process consisted of a<br />

general interview involving a case study<br />

scenario with a Partner and a member<br />

of the HR team followed by a group<br />

exercise. For what is usually a nerveracking<br />

experience, I was made to feel<br />

very welcome and at ease.<br />

What did you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

Being given the chance to sit in both<br />

Corporate Finance and Real Estate was<br />

extremely interesting as I could discover<br />

two completely different areas of law. <strong>The</strong><br />

level of responsibility I was given was<br />

also very rewarding, if a little daunting at<br />

first.<br />

“Everyone is extremely welcoming<br />

and there are a number of law<br />

and non-law related activities<br />

which are great to get involved<br />

in.”<br />

How much responsibility were you<br />

given?<br />

I was given a large amount of<br />

responsibility in both seats and undertook<br />

tasks similar to those completed by<br />

trainees. This mainly involved legal<br />

research and proofreading. Despite this<br />

responsibility I felt able to ask for advice<br />

and guidance.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

someone applying for your role?<br />

My main piece of advice would be to<br />

enjoy the experience as much as you<br />

can. Everyone is extremely welcoming<br />

and there are a number of law and nonlaw<br />

related activities which are great to<br />

get involved in. Finally, just be yourself<br />

and smile!<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

Having studied Modern Languages, at<br />

times I felt as though I were learning<br />

another new language with all the legal<br />

terms which were completely alien to<br />

me! However my supervisors were<br />

understanding and extremely helpful in<br />

answering my questions.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement?<br />

I was particularly proud of the fact that<br />

by the end of my vacation scheme I was<br />

entrusted by my supervisor to carry out<br />

research which was then sent straight to<br />

clients. This made me feel like my work<br />

was valued.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I loved my<br />

vacation scheme at @TaylorWessing. Had<br />

a great experience at a very friendly and<br />

welcoming firm.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 181


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Retail & Supply<br />

Chain<br />

61st<br />

Reviewed by<br />

18 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Technology, Finance,<br />

Buying, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Property,<br />

Online, Marketing<br />

Locations: Hertfordshire<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive, 20 Days<br />

Holiday, Pension, Product Discounts<br />

Entry Requirements: 300-320 UCAS Points,<br />

predicted 2:1 degree<br />

Application Process: Online Application. Online<br />

Psychometric Testing. Telephone Interview.<br />

Assessment Centre<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 40<br />

Our people are our biggest asset – over<br />

half a million of them! <strong>The</strong> success we<br />

have is shaped by the vision and ideas<br />

of our colleagues and their ability to turn<br />

these ideas into a fantastic shopping<br />

experience for our customers.<br />

<strong>The</strong> customer is at the heart of everything<br />

we do. We’re continually striving to give<br />

them a better shopping experience,<br />

whether that’s through a seamless online<br />

experience or reducing the queuing time<br />

within our stores.<br />

We’re looking for talented individuals<br />

who share our passion for great service.<br />

People who have energy and enthusiasm<br />

for delivering, working collaboratively and<br />

managing large scale projects that make<br />

a real difference.<br />

Think of Tesco and you might imagine<br />

working in store. Choose the Store<br />

Programme and you will certainly spend<br />

a lot of time there. But with around 10<br />

Summer Internships across our business,<br />

including Finance, Technology, General<br />

Merchandise and Product Quality, there<br />

are many other exciting areas outside the<br />

store.<br />

@TescoEC<br />

182 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Dominic thinks...<br />

Dominic Berko<br />

From<br />

University of Manchester<br />

Studying<br />

International Business,<br />

Finance & Economics<br />

Position<br />

Online Programme<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

Right from the start you are treated<br />

as an equal. You are given amazing<br />

opportunities to make a difference very<br />

quickly. In my first project, I designed the<br />

dispatch area of a new Fulfilment Centre.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Do your homework. Look into what our<br />

company is doing compared to the other<br />

players in the market. Once your foot is<br />

through the door, be as inquisitive and<br />

passionate as you can. Just remember to<br />

be yourself and let your personality shine<br />

through.<br />

“I was placed on an optimisation<br />

project. For the first time I lead<br />

my own project, rather than<br />

acting as a support. It really<br />

tested everything I had learned<br />

in my previous placements.”<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

You don’t appreciate how big a business<br />

is until you’re in it. <strong>The</strong> number of<br />

stakeholders and people you work with is<br />

much bigger than I imagined. However,<br />

after a couple of months, your network<br />

begins to grow and grow, making this<br />

much simpler.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

I was placed on an optimisation project.<br />

For the first time I lead my own project,<br />

rather than acting as a support. It really<br />

tested everything I had learned in my<br />

previous placements. Overall, I managed<br />

to save Tesco hundreds of thousands of<br />

pounds.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

Due to the size of the company, there<br />

are ample opportunities to move around.<br />

It is easy to see why there are so many<br />

‘Tesco Lifers,’ because it is possible to<br />

have many careers at the same company.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

Everyday I am challenged and therefore<br />

I am learning. At this stage of our career<br />

it is vital to be able to think on your feet,<br />

enhance your problem solving skills and<br />

absorb as much information as possible.<br />

No two days have been the same.<br />

@RateMyPlacement My time at Tesco<br />

has really exceeded all my expectations.<br />

<strong>The</strong> responsibility you get from day one is<br />

incredible.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 183


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Engineering and<br />

Built Environment<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Transport<br />

Locations: London<br />

Salary & Benefits: £17,163 Pro Rata, free travel<br />

on TfL’s networks for you and one other<br />

member of your household<br />

How to apply<br />

74th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

15 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 20<br />

Entry Requirements: Penultimate year students,<br />

predicted a 2:1<br />

Application Process: Online Application, Online<br />

Testing, Video Interview and Assessment Centre<br />

With a population of over 8.6 million and<br />

more than 17 million visitors every year,<br />

London is a city that’s always on the<br />

move.<br />

Transport for London (TfL) is responsible<br />

for looking after the intricate planning and<br />

everyday operation of the Capital’s<br />

transport system. Our people make sure<br />

that millions of residents, workers and<br />

visitors arrive safely at their destinations,<br />

day in, day out.<br />

Our remit is broad. It includes everything<br />

from the Tube, London Overground,<br />

Docklands Light Railway, TfL Rail,<br />

London Trams, London River Services,<br />

Dial-a-Ride, Victoria Coach Station and<br />

Emirates Air Line, to Santander Cycles<br />

and of course, our iconic red doubledecker<br />

buses. But there’s a lot more to it<br />

than that.<br />

We also regulate taxis and the private<br />

hire trade, run the Congestion Charging<br />

scheme, manage the city’s 580km red<br />

route road network and operate every<br />

one of the Capital’s 6,200 traffic signals.<br />

fb.me/<br />

@<br />

184 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


Shape the future<br />

of London – join TfL<br />

We want to be as diverse as the city we<br />

represent and welcome applications from<br />

everyone regardless of disability, faith,<br />

sexual orientation, ethnicity, age or gender.<br />

MAYOR OF LONDON<br />

Transport for London


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

186 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Reviewed by<br />

100 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Investment<br />

Banking<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Investment Bank,<br />

Corporate Center, Global Asset Management<br />

Locations: London and many other locations<br />

across EMEA<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive<br />

fb.me/ubscareers<br />

@ubscareers<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

How to apply<br />

25th<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:300<br />

Entry Requirements: 300 UCAS points,<br />

minimum 2.1 in any undergraduate degree<br />

Application Process: Online Application, Online<br />

Testing, Competency Interview, Assessment<br />

Center<br />

Expert advice. Wealth management.<br />

Investment banking. Asset management.<br />

Retail banking in Switzerland. And all the<br />

support functions. That’s what we do.<br />

And we do it for private and institutional<br />

clients as well as corporations around the<br />

world.<br />

We are about 60,000 employees in all<br />

major financial centers, in almost 900<br />

offices and more than 50 countries.<br />

Together. That’s how we do things.<br />

We offer people around the world a<br />

supportive, challenging and diverse<br />

working environment. We value your<br />

passion and commitment, and reward<br />

your performance.<br />

Are you truly collaborative? Succeeding<br />

at UBS means respecting, understanding<br />

and trusting colleagues and clients.<br />

Challenging others and being challenged<br />

in return. Being passionate about what<br />

you do. Driving yourself forward, always<br />

wanting to do things the right way.<br />

Does that sound like you? <strong>The</strong>n you<br />

have the right stuff to join us. We offer<br />

a wide range of programs; from first<br />

year Insights and Horizons, through<br />

to Summer Internships, Industrial<br />

Placements and Graduate opportunities.


What Hannah thinks...<br />

Hannah Mitchell<br />

From<br />

Exeter University<br />

Studying<br />

Economics BSc<br />

Position<br />

Prime Brokerage Sales<br />

(12 Month Industrial<br />

Placement Student)<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

My interview process involved an online<br />

numerical and logic test, followed by a<br />

telephone interview and assessment day.<br />

At the assessment day I was interviewed<br />

by people who I now work with on a daily<br />

basis so the process gave me a great<br />

feel for the firm’s culture and the people I<br />

would be working with.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I supported senior management on a<br />

number of projects where I had clear<br />

accountability and ownership over tasks<br />

and the autonomy to make my own<br />

decisions. My line manager did his best<br />

to make sure that I had a balanced work<br />

load and that I had work that would<br />

challenge me to learn more about the<br />

business area.<br />

“You are constantly learning<br />

throughout the duration of your<br />

placement, something that I<br />

really valued. ”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Apply early as the program is extremely<br />

popular and recruitment is done on a<br />

rolling basis, so the sooner you can apply<br />

the better!<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I love that no two days are the same;<br />

I could come into work with a plan for<br />

the day and end up doing something<br />

completely different. It means that you<br />

are constantly learning throughout the<br />

duration of your placement, something<br />

that I really valued.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

When I joined, the initial learning curve<br />

was very steep as there is a vast amount<br />

of new information to take in. That’s<br />

why I think the first few weeks are the<br />

most challenging, but I picked things up<br />

quickly!<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

I’m amazed by how willing everyone is<br />

to take the time to explain their desk and<br />

what their job entails day-to-day. I have<br />

been able to broaden my network and<br />

learn about more roles within the firm<br />

than I even realised existed before<br />

I started my placement.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

I am extremely impressed with the culture<br />

at UBS. My team made me feel extremely<br />

welcome and senior management made<br />

time to talk to me about their business<br />

area as well as checking in on my<br />

progress on the program.<br />

@RateMyPlacement Thanks UBS for a<br />

fantastic year! #TimeFlies’<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 187


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Automotive<br />

Manufacturer<br />

86th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

83 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Business, IT, Engineering,<br />

HR, Finance, Purchasing, PR, Sales, Marketing<br />

Locations: Ellesmere Port, Luton<br />

Salary & Benefits: £16,500, 21 days Holiday,<br />

Subsidised Canteen, Discounted Gym and<br />

Discounted on new cars/parts for friends and<br />

family<br />

Entry Requirements: Predcited 2:1 in relevant<br />

degree<br />

Application Process: Online Application Form,<br />

Psychometric Testing and Assessment Centre<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 97<br />

Vauxhall is a major UK employer, with<br />

around 35,000 people. 23,000 people<br />

work within our Retail Network, and a<br />

further 7,000 are employed within our UK<br />

supply chain. Vauxhall Motors operates<br />

a 12 month undergraduate placement<br />

scheme for students eager to gain hands<br />

on work experience within an industryleading<br />

company.<br />

Every year, over 95 proactive students<br />

will have the chance to immerse<br />

themselves in the fast-paced and<br />

exciting automotive industry by taking<br />

on challenging roles and contributing to<br />

vehicle launches, football sponsorship,<br />

and community projects.<br />

Our undergraduate programme has been<br />

running for over 25 years and so we<br />

recognise the importance of investing<br />

in the professional development of our<br />

placement students. From training in<br />

areas such as Microsoft Excel and safe<br />

driving to the allocation of a personal<br />

mentor, all undergraduates are provided<br />

with the support to enable them to make<br />

a real contribution to the organisation and<br />

add value to their degree.<br />

@<br />

188 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Katie thinks...<br />

Katie Robinette<br />

From<br />

Portsmouth University<br />

Studying<br />

Human Resources<br />

Management with<br />

Psychology<br />

Position<br />

Undergraduate<br />

Programme Assistant<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> interview process is very similar<br />

to other companies with an online<br />

application form, online test and an<br />

assessment centre. This consists of 2<br />

interviews, presentation and a group<br />

exercise. All assessors are very friendly<br />

while remaining professional.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

Throughout my year I had so much<br />

responsibility as I was in charge<br />

of recruiting the next intake of<br />

undergraduates. <strong>The</strong>re is no make tea<br />

and coffee for the office as the job roles<br />

are proper roles that are crucial for the<br />

business.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> team I have worked with<br />

over the year have not just been<br />

supportive but also a laugh to<br />

work with.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

I would highly recommend all students<br />

to apply for a role within Vauxhall.<br />

When applying for the roles, I would<br />

suggest that students show enthusiasm<br />

throughout their application of why<br />

they would like to work in such a great<br />

company.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

My team. <strong>The</strong> team I have worked<br />

with over the year have not just been<br />

supportive but also a laugh to work with. I<br />

have made strong work relationships and<br />

strong friendships which I will take away<br />

with me. It has made my year much more<br />

enjoyable.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

I lived with 4 other undergrads and then<br />

there were 3 other houses on my road<br />

with undergrads living in them. This made<br />

the placement year very social and there<br />

was always something going on. It was<br />

just like university but with money!<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

This may be seen as a downside as<br />

the grad scheme isn’t that promising.<br />

However, if you are a high potential then<br />

you’re more likely to be offered a grad<br />

role.This is a good motivation tool to<br />

make us work to the best of our ability<br />

while here.<br />

@RateMyPlacement what an amazing<br />

year at Vauxhall. Learnt so much about the<br />

industry and myself and I have worked with<br />

some amazing people. Thank you Vauxhall!<br />

#Vauxhall<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 189


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Entertainment,<br />

Media, Retail<br />

55th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

24 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Business, Finance, IT, HR,<br />

Legal, Commercial, Production, Creative, PR/<br />

Comms, Marketing<br />

Locations: Hammersmith, West London<br />

Salary & Benefits: £18,000 per annum<br />

Entry Requirements: Third year sandwich course<br />

students only (applicants must be returning to<br />

full time education in September 2018)<br />

Application Process: Applications open<br />

October <strong>2016</strong> online, telephone Interview<br />

followed by Face to face Assessment<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies:170<br />

How great would it be to get your foot<br />

in the door with a global brand like<br />

Disney? Every year, we give Internships<br />

to the brightest individuals who can<br />

really add something to this magical<br />

business. Being the massively diverse<br />

company we are, there are opportunities<br />

in almost every area, including sales,<br />

design, marketing, IT, finance and HR –<br />

in industries from movies and gaming,<br />

through to television and products &<br />

licensing. Our invaluable schemes will<br />

put your education to work and give you<br />

the cutting-edge skills and experience to<br />

build your future career.<br />

If you are destined for the top, there<br />

is no better place to show what you’re<br />

made of. We’ll train you and give you<br />

every opportunity – the rest is up to you.<br />

This is Disney, where dreams and career<br />

aspirations can come true.<br />

Immerse yourself in an internship within<br />

<strong>The</strong> Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland.<br />

You’ll gain valuable work experience<br />

and spark the imaginations of people<br />

everywhere. Add to that, the opportunity<br />

to work on exciting, challenging projects<br />

only available within Disney.<br />

@Disney_UK<br />

190 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Lizzie thinks...<br />

Lizzie Charge<br />

From<br />

University of Surrey<br />

Studying<br />

Business Management<br />

Position<br />

Learning & Development<br />

Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> assessment day consisted of Group<br />

Activities, Interviews and a Prioritisation<br />

exercise. <strong>The</strong> whole day was welcoming<br />

and relaxed which helped bring out the<br />

best in you. We learnt more about the<br />

Disney brand and have a tour of the<br />

office.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I have taken on a wide range of<br />

responsibilities, including multiple<br />

projects supporting my team and other<br />

regions in Walt Disney International.<br />

I was never treated any differently for<br />

being an intern and was able to develop<br />

existing and new skills.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> highlight of my role has<br />

been hosting and co-ordinating a<br />

Leadership Insights programme<br />

for Walt Disney International.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

If you are wishing to join the Disney<br />

family it is really important you are<br />

passionate about the brand. It is a<br />

magical company and attempts to<br />

keep that in everything it does. Also,<br />

be prepared to have lots of exciting<br />

opportunities and challenges.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

Adapting to working in a huge,<br />

multinational organisation. Although my<br />

biggest challenge has been finding time<br />

to be involved in all the projects available<br />

in just 12 months! Alongside professional<br />

opportunities there is also plenty of<br />

VoluntEAR projects.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

<strong>The</strong> highlight of my role has been hosting<br />

and co-ordinating a Leadership Insights<br />

programme for Walt Disney International.<br />

This gave me the opportunity to network<br />

with multiple executives and gain<br />

valuable advice and careers insight from<br />

them.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

My experience has been amazing as<br />

every single day I came into work I was<br />

happy to be here. My role was full of<br />

challenges and new skills which I needed<br />

to learn but it was also full of enjoyment.<br />

Who knew working could be fun too?!<br />

@RateMyPlacement I absolutely<br />

loved my placement at <strong>The</strong> Walt Disney<br />

Company. It has given me a huge amount<br />

of experience which I can apply to both<br />

my future career in HR and personal<br />

development #thedisneydifference<br />

#dontmakemeleave<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 191


Company Position Page Company Position Page<br />

Air Products 26 194<br />

Atos 23 196<br />

Autodesk 13 198<br />

Barnett Waddingham LLP 1 200<br />

Bechtel 22 202<br />

British American Tobacco 3 204<br />

Cognito iQ 18 206<br />

Computacenter 10 208<br />

E.ON UK 35 210<br />

EDF Trading 20 212<br />

Gazprom Energy 29<br />

Gist Ltd 31 214<br />

i2i Events Group 12<br />

Lear Corporation 28<br />

Morgan Advanced Materials 34<br />

Nissan Motor GB 24 220<br />

Pernod Ricard UK 16<br />

PSA Peugeot Citroën 11 222<br />

Redgate 6<br />

Smith & Williamson 32 224<br />

Sophos 7<br />

Sparx 25 226<br />

TK Maxx 5 228<br />

TNT 30<br />

Toyota GB 9 230<br />

Travelport 27 232<br />

TUI UK 4 234<br />

Verizon 8<br />

Lighthouse Systems Ltd 2 216<br />

Michael Dyson Associates Ltd 33<br />

Mindshare 19<br />

Visteon Engineering Services<br />

Ltd<br />

Volkswagen Financial Services<br />

(VWFS)<br />

21<br />

17<br />

236<br />

Mitsubishi UFJ Securities<br />

International plc (MUSI)<br />

15<br />

218<br />

YouView 14<br />

Company Position Page<br />

Allelys Group<br />

Apache<br />

Champions Life Academy<br />

Finalist<br />

Finalist<br />

Finalist<br />

Golfbreaks.com Winner 238<br />

ProspectSoft Finalist 240<br />

192 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


THE TOP 35<br />

MEDIUM-SIZED<br />

UNDERGRADUATE<br />

SCHEMES <strong>2016</strong> - <strong>2017</strong><br />

On the following pages you will find information about the <strong>Top</strong> 35<br />

Medium-sized Undergraduate Schemes. <strong>The</strong>y are organised in<br />

alphabetical order.<br />

THE TOP 5 SMALL<br />

TO MEDIUM-SIZED<br />

UNDERGRADUATE<br />

EMPLOYERS <strong>2016</strong> - <strong>2017</strong><br />

Immediately after the <strong>Top</strong> 35, you will find the <strong>Top</strong> Small to<br />

Medium-sized Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> (SMEs) that were<br />

shortlisted at the <strong>2016</strong> National Undergraduate Employability<br />

Awards.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 193


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

26th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

6 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Chemical & Mechanical<br />

Engineering<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Placement Years &<br />

Summer Internships<br />

Locations: Surrey & Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: £18,000 (pro rata),<br />

subsidised on site gym at HQ location, access<br />

to social and company organised events<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1 or above in<br />

Mechanical/Chemical degrees<br />

Application Process: CV & Covering Letter,<br />

Video Interview and Assessment Centre<br />

fb.me/airproductscareers<br />

@AirProducts<br />

How to apply<br />

194 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 8<br />

Air Products touches the lives of<br />

consumers around the globe in positive<br />

ways every day. With over 20,000<br />

employees, we supply a unique portfolio<br />

of atmospheric gases, process and<br />

specialty gases, performance materials,<br />

equipment and services.<br />

We serve more than 50 countries across<br />

a wide range of industries from food<br />

and beverage, health and personal<br />

care to energy, transportation and<br />

semiconductors. Founded in 1940, Air<br />

Products has built a reputation for its<br />

innovative culture, operational excellence<br />

and commitment to safety and the<br />

environment. Our aim is to develop<br />

lasting relationships with our customers<br />

based on understanding their needs,<br />

doing business with integrity and honesty,<br />

and exceeding expectations.<br />

We couldn’t be as successful as we<br />

are today without our people, so if<br />

you would like to be part of something<br />

amazing, check out our undergraduate<br />

opportunities starting summer <strong>2017</strong>.<br />

You will be doing a real job, learning<br />

new skills, and putting your academic<br />

knowledge to practice, so visit us online<br />

to apply and find out more!


What Christopher thinks...<br />

Christopher Painter<br />

From<br />

University of Portsmouth<br />

Studying<br />

MEng Mechanical<br />

Engineering<br />

Position<br />

Junior Operations Project<br />

Engineer<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

Competency based questions and a video<br />

recorded interview which was a first for<br />

me. <strong>The</strong> final stage was an assessment<br />

centre with group activities as well as<br />

individual tasks. I was impressed that<br />

I was challenged technically as well as<br />

socially.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

Started fairly average helping colleagues<br />

with their projects and then I inherited two<br />

small projects. Responsibility increased<br />

with my experience and for the second<br />

half of my placement I was leading an<br />

£800,000 project!<br />

“<strong>The</strong>re’s a very strong chance<br />

of being asked to return to the<br />

company. From my experiences<br />

and interactions, lots of<br />

placement students have been<br />

asked to return.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Show your social skills and enthusiasm<br />

for challenges throughout interview<br />

stages. Make the most of the placement<br />

by seizing opportunities and volunteering<br />

for everything you can, including sports<br />

clubs, social events and STEM events.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I enjoy overcoming challenges the most<br />

and thinking outside the box to solve<br />

problems. I have had a fantastic exposure<br />

to site work and travel for some major UK<br />

projects which was also a big highlight.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

My biggest challenge was motivating<br />

and coordinating people - including<br />

members of the project team, external<br />

companies and customers. Everyone<br />

has other commitments which causes<br />

potential conflict with managing time and<br />

resources.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

An open plan office with a good<br />

atmosphere, everyone was chatty<br />

and happy to answer questions. <strong>The</strong><br />

highlights were the intercompany sports<br />

weekend (even though we lost the<br />

football!) and the Christmas do.<br />

‘@RateMyPlacement had a fantastic<br />

year with Air Products! Loved the people,<br />

responsibility and site experience. Now<br />

to return to being a poor student again!<br />

#AirProducts #illbeback<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 195


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

IT Services and<br />

Consulting<br />

23rd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

6 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Business, Finance, HR, IT<br />

Locations: UK Wide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive, 25 days holiday,<br />

award winning range of flexible benefits<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1 degree in any<br />

subject<br />

Application Process: Online application,<br />

numerical & verbal testing, telephone interview,<br />

assessment centre.<br />

fb.me/<br />

@<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

196 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 40<br />

At Atos, through digital transformation<br />

we strive to create the firm of tomorrow.<br />

We believe that bringing together people,<br />

technology and business is the way<br />

forward. We are a trusted partner for our<br />

clients’ digital journey.<br />

As technology continuously disrupts<br />

the norms, our clients can rely on us<br />

to guide them through a successful<br />

digital transformation, and our 100,000<br />

employees across 72 countries make<br />

that happen. As the worldwide IT Partner<br />

and lead integrator of the Olympic<br />

and Paralympic Games, Atos drives<br />

innovation on an extraordinary scale,<br />

under the scrutiny of the entire world.<br />

From public sector and defence to media<br />

and communications, clients look to us<br />

for solutions – and we’re here to deliver.<br />

Our three-month summer placements<br />

and 12-month internships offer<br />

undergraduates the opportunity to work<br />

on live assignments, with the support<br />

of some of the most knowledgeable<br />

colleagues in the business.<br />

Take the first step in an extraordinary<br />

career, and we’ll be with you all the way –<br />

nurturing your talent and developing your<br />

potential.


What Alexander thinks...<br />

Alexander Zarach<br />

From<br />

University of Kent<br />

Studying<br />

Business IT<br />

Position<br />

Information Management<br />

and Analytics Analyst<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

My first interview was on the phone, I<br />

was asked questions about Atos, and my<br />

experience. I had two interviews during<br />

the assessment day, which were more<br />

relaxed discussions than anything else!<br />

<strong>The</strong>y see how enthusiastic you are and if<br />

you’re a good fit.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I was responsible for development and<br />

production of internal reports used by<br />

management throughout the company!<br />

I also designed and built an automated<br />

data feed of company data to go between<br />

two systems. So, a lot of responsibility!<br />

“I’ve had exposure to new<br />

technology at Atos, which has<br />

sometimes been challenging.<br />

However it’s the sort of<br />

challenge I really enjoy.”<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

I’ve had exposure to new technology<br />

at Atos, which has sometimes been<br />

challenging. However it’s the sort of<br />

challenge I really enjoy, because I’m<br />

learning constantly and getting involved<br />

with work I would never have expected<br />

to.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

My project was to produce a set of<br />

reports every week. However, Atos really<br />

want innovation. I noticed the reports<br />

that took several hours to refresh could<br />

refresh much quicker. A bit of tweaking<br />

and they now refresh in just two minutes!<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

Pretty much in every way – work-based<br />

learning is a definite plus (I’ll get a<br />

university diploma at the end), as is<br />

exposure to an amazing range of clients<br />

(and some fascinating projects). <strong>The</strong><br />

offices are nice - so is being able to work<br />

from home!<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

For my particular role, it helps if you love<br />

working with data. In interviews for any<br />

role, be relaxed and be yourself, Atos is<br />

a very open friendly company and they<br />

want people who fit in with that.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I found my<br />

graduate future at Atos! Amazing<br />

colleagues, can’t believe how much<br />

I’ve grown and learned #teamwork<br />

#development<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 197


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

IT, Mechanical<br />

Engineering<br />

13th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

7 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Software Engineering,<br />

Application Engineering<br />

Locations: Birmingham, UK<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive, subsidised<br />

canteen, subsidised social events, paid holiday<br />

Entry Requirements: 300 UCAS points,<br />

predicted 2:1 degree<br />

Application Process: Online Application,<br />

Assessment Centre<br />

fb.me/<br />

@<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 14<br />

Want to help design winning racing<br />

cars, more fuel efficient planes,<br />

the biggest yachts, the tallest<br />

skyscrapers? With Autodesk you can!<br />

As a global leader in 3D design,<br />

engineering, and entertainment software,<br />

Autodesk helps people imagine, design,<br />

and create a better world. Autodesk<br />

accelerates better design through an<br />

unparalleled depth of experience and<br />

a broad portfolio of software to give<br />

customers the power to solve their<br />

design, manufacturing, business, and<br />

environmental challenges.<br />

Our placement programme was<br />

established six years ago as Delcam,<br />

before we became part of Autodesk,<br />

and continues with the same ethos of<br />

ensuring all new starters get the training<br />

and support they need, plus we have<br />

regular subsidised social events to help<br />

break the ice!<br />

We are looking for bright IT, Maths,<br />

Physics, and Engineering graduates<br />

to join our UK division to fill vacancies<br />

we have for software developers and<br />

application engineers. If you’re the<br />

sort of individual who would thrive in a<br />

dynamic company like ours please visit<br />

our website to find out more.<br />

198 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


Careers at Autodesk<br />

Be a leader in your field<br />

Employment and placement opportunities for Software<br />

Engineers and Application Engineers<br />

• Over 25 new starters each summer<br />

• Extensive training<br />

• Real-world projects<br />

• Broad experience through rotations in<br />

multiple teams<br />

• Professional registration opportunities<br />

Visit www.autodesk.co.uk/graduates<br />

“Colleagues are friendly and the work is interesting. <strong>The</strong> graduate<br />

rotation scheme is great for getting to know people around the<br />

company, learning the systems and for finding a team that suits you.”<br />

Simon, Graduate Software Engineer<br />

Autodesk, Small Heath Business Park, Birmingham B10 0HJ | Tel: +44 (0) 121 766 5544


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

1st<br />

Reviewed by<br />

14 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Actuarial<br />

Consultancy<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Actuarial Consultant<br />

Locations: London, Amersham, Cheltenham,<br />

Bromsgrove, Leeds, Liverpool and Glasgow<br />

Salary & Benefits: Flexible benefits package,<br />

competitive salary and 22 days holiday<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Entry Requirements: 300 UCAS points, 2:1 or<br />

above in any degree<br />

Application Process: Online application,<br />

telephone interview and assessment centre<br />

fb.me/barnettwaddingham<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 15<br />

We have a variety of interesting career<br />

opportunities across the UK and strive<br />

to recruit staff who share our values<br />

and can bring special skills which will<br />

enhance the service that we provide to<br />

our clients.<br />

Our philosophy and approach means that<br />

we are dependent on talented and well<br />

trained employees who enjoy working in<br />

a friendly and ambitious organisation. As<br />

a firm of over 700 people, our past growth<br />

has been significant since our creation in<br />

1989 and we aim to continue this growth<br />

by recruiting people who share our<br />

values.<br />

Barnett Waddingham will provide<br />

you with the opportunity to thrive in a<br />

business which believes strongly in being<br />

supportive, developing its people and<br />

offering a good work/life balance.<br />

Barnett Waddingham is keen to promote<br />

the development of professional<br />

standards for all employees. This can be<br />

achieved by general work experience and<br />

mentoring together with the provision of<br />

study support for relevant professional<br />

examinations.<br />

@bw_llp<br />

200 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Errawati thinks...<br />

Errawati Jeewon<br />

From<br />

City University (Cass<br />

Business School)<br />

Studying<br />

Actuarial Science<br />

Position<br />

Trainee Investment<br />

Analyst<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

I initially had a telephone interview<br />

and then I attended the assessment<br />

day. I found the assessment day really<br />

informative and it gave a good insight into<br />

what Barnett Waddingham was like as a<br />

place to work.<br />

“It is a really friendly<br />

environment and this is the same<br />

at all the offices they have.”<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

On top of the daily tasks involved in the<br />

role of a trainee investment analyst, I<br />

am also currently acting as the training<br />

facilitator for my team; this involves<br />

organising training sessions that the team<br />

would like to receive. I am also in charge<br />

of our quarterly ‘monitoring plan’; this is<br />

a timetable that needs preparing before<br />

the start of each quarter, to ensure that<br />

the reports we prepare for our clients are<br />

drafted and submitted on time. We also<br />

hold quarterly regional meetings to review<br />

the previous quarter and my responsibility<br />

during these meetings is to remind the<br />

team of the most important emails that<br />

are sent to our practice area.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> variety day to day is what I enjoyed<br />

the most. I was surprised by how much<br />

work I was able to get involved in and this<br />

helped me make more of a contribution<br />

within the team.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

Combining the variety of work and<br />

the social aspect had exceeded my<br />

expectations. A day is never the same<br />

and I really felt as though I was part of<br />

the team. I used the skills I currently had<br />

and had a lot of opportunity to develop<br />

my current knowledge.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

It is a really friendly environment and this<br />

is the same at all the offices they have.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are always people willing to help<br />

with any queries and due to the open<br />

plan offices we all interacted very well.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re was a lot of social activities to take<br />

part in, from netball, football, croquet and<br />

walking to pub quiz’s and Bingo! Some<br />

are joined by all the UK offices which<br />

gives the opportunity to socialise even<br />

outside of our office.<br />

@RateMyPlacement Excellent<br />

placement at @BWLLP I have learnt a<br />

lot in the last 8 weeks! #actuarialcareer<br />

#Graduateplacement<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 201


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Engineering (electrical,<br />

mechanical, civil and systems) environmental<br />

science, construction management and related<br />

degrees<br />

Locations: London and South East<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitve salary and<br />

holidays (pro-rata)<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: predicted 2:1 or above in a<br />

relevant degree<br />

Application Process: Online application and<br />

Interview<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Engineering and<br />

Construction<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

22nd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

3 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 15<br />

Bechtel is a respected global engineering,<br />

construction, and project management<br />

company. Together with our customers,<br />

we deliver landmark projects that create<br />

long-term progress and economic growth.<br />

Since 1898, we’ve completed more than<br />

25,000 extraordinary projects across 160<br />

countries on all seven continents. We<br />

operate through four global businesses:<br />

Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security &<br />

Environmental; Oil, Gas & Chemicals;<br />

and Mining & Metals. Our company and<br />

our culture are built on more than a<br />

century of leadership and a relentless<br />

adherence to our values, the core of<br />

which are safety, quality, ethics, and<br />

integrity. <strong>The</strong>se values are what we<br />

believe, what we expect, what we deliver,<br />

and what we live.<br />

Our infrastructure business unit offers a<br />

range of summer internship opportunities<br />

across it’s many UK based projects, we<br />

provide you with real responsibility to<br />

allow you to show us who you are.<br />

@<br />

202 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Oyinkan thinks...<br />

Oyinkan Dinyo<br />

From<br />

Loughborough University<br />

Studying<br />

Civil Engineering<br />

Position<br />

Quality Assurance Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> interview process was really straight<br />

forward. <strong>The</strong>y contacted me before hand<br />

to set up a time and date and it was a<br />

competency based video interview with<br />

two people who were really easy to talk<br />

to.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I started off with a little bit to do, but the<br />

more I was able to demonstrate that I was<br />

capable, the more responsibility I was<br />

given. By the end of my time there I was<br />

working directly with senior managers<br />

and even the director.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> office atmosphere<br />

was great. Everyone was very<br />

encouraging and supportive.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

I think it’s important to be prepared,<br />

research the company and be honest in<br />

your approach. Be able to demonstrate<br />

your competencies and skills and talk<br />

about your experiences. Enthusiasm,<br />

passion and motivation are also<br />

important.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

I think my biggest challenge was<br />

communication, in such a big team it<br />

was a little difficult to get hold of the<br />

right people, especially if they’re senior<br />

management.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

I think my biggest achievement was<br />

planning out the QMS training for all the<br />

core staff. That’s some 50-60 training<br />

Sessions for 113 staff and develop a<br />

QMS tracker to ensure all staff got the<br />

training for their specific role.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> office atmosphere was great.<br />

Everyone was very encouraging and<br />

supportive when I started and I’d made<br />

more than a few friends when I left. I<br />

guess that tells you a lot.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

Outside of work there was tons to do!<br />

Some of the highlights included a site<br />

visit to Crossrail (Farringdon) and a video<br />

conference with Brendan Bechtel who is<br />

the current CEO with all the other interns<br />

globally.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I loved my<br />

placement at Bechtel. It gave me an insight<br />

into what my future career could be like and<br />

challenged me every day. #illbeback<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 203


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

FMCG<br />

204 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

3rd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

14 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Chemistry, Science-Life<br />

/ Materials / Plant, Statistics, Engineering–<br />

Electrical / Process<br />

Locations: Southampton or Cambridge (Plant<br />

Science only)<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary, gym,<br />

subsidised lunches, 25 days holiday<br />

Entry Requirements: Projected degree grade<br />

– 2.1<br />

Application Process: Online application,<br />

telephone interview, face to face interview<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

@BATPress<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 10<br />

Our Research & Development<br />

organisation is a global community made<br />

up of over 1200 employees. In the UK,<br />

we employ over 400 people across our<br />

facilities in Southampton and Cambridge.<br />

Our Southampton laboratories provide<br />

our central R&D facilities, where we<br />

are undertaking research in a broad<br />

spectrum of scientific disciplines including<br />

analytical chemistry, materials science,<br />

toxicology, molecular biology, engineering<br />

and statistics. Our Cambridge labs focus<br />

on tobacco plant biotechnology.<br />

We are working to develop a range of<br />

potentially reduced-risk tobacco and<br />

nicotine products, including conventional<br />

cigarettes, tobacco heating products,<br />

e-cigarettes and nicotine inhalation<br />

products.<br />

In the UK, we offer one year placement<br />

opportunities to students who, as part<br />

of their undergraduate sandwich degree<br />

course, are looking to gain practical<br />

experience of a research environment.<br />

Successful applicants will undertake<br />

projects, having responsibility<br />

and opportunities for training and<br />

development.


What Federica thinks...<br />

Federica Rosaria Lisa<br />

From<br />

University of Leicester<br />

Studying<br />

Chemistry with Forensic<br />

Science (MChem)<br />

Position<br />

Undergraduate Placement<br />

Student in Combustibles<br />

Discovery and Scientific<br />

Collaboration &<br />

Communication<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

I applied online sending my CV and<br />

covering letter. Following a successful<br />

telephone interview I was invited to<br />

attend a face-to-face interview. <strong>The</strong><br />

interview was very relaxed with general<br />

and technical questions. <strong>The</strong> day finished<br />

off with a tour of the site.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

A lot of responsibility! I lead important<br />

projects in two departments and manage<br />

them well. Everyone is always ready to<br />

help you if you need it. I’ve learnt several<br />

skills which will be useful in academia,<br />

my future career and life.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Be yourself, but remain professional<br />

throughout the application process, the<br />

interview and during the placement.<br />

Build a good reputation for yourself and<br />

show them all your capabilities and great<br />

qualities.<br />

“My work and effort was<br />

valuable and this made me feel<br />

100% part of the company.”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I really enjoyed leading projects and<br />

the fact that my work was making a<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

difference to the company. My work and<br />

effort was valuable and this made me feel<br />

100% part of the company.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement?<br />

After this unique experience, I have<br />

become more confident in my actions and<br />

presentations. I developed many other<br />

skills which I never thought I would have<br />

developed in a short period of time but<br />

confidence was the main achievement for<br />

me.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

I was not expecting that a multinational<br />

company like BAT would invest a lot of<br />

time and money in students. We received<br />

technical training and also training on<br />

how to develop presentations and report<br />

writing skills. I also travelled outside the<br />

UK for work.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> office atmosphere was friendly and<br />

welcoming.<br />

@RateMyPlacement Unforgettable<br />

experience! I learnt so much during these<br />

12 months. I’ve had the opportunity to<br />

work in many interesting areas, met a lot of<br />

people and worked in a great environment. I<br />

would definitely recommend it.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 205


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

IT<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Software Developer,<br />

Network Engineer, Technical Project Support<br />

Locations: Newbury, Berkshire<br />

Salary & Benefits: £15,000 per annum + £1000<br />

welcome bonus & attractive benefits package<br />

such as 25 days holiday, private medical<br />

insurance & cycle to work scheme<br />

How to apply<br />

18th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

4 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 7<br />

Entry Requirements: On track for a 2:1 or above<br />

in a relevant degree<br />

Application Process: Online Application and<br />

Assessment Centre<br />

Our software provides enterprises with<br />

real-time interaction and visibility of their<br />

mobile workforce to continually improve<br />

operational capability. For over 20 years<br />

we have led the way, developing ideas<br />

and solutions with our customers to<br />

differentiate their business by providing<br />

exceptional customer experiences.<br />

We believe that your placement should<br />

be the foundation on which you build<br />

your career. We offer a wide range of<br />

opportunities, hands-on learning and<br />

practical experience that our current and<br />

former IPs have found invaluable. Our<br />

IPs always make a vital contribution to<br />

the success of our business during their<br />

time with us and you’ll be encouraged to<br />

get stuck in as soon as you start.<br />

You’ll learn about our bespoke solutions<br />

and develop knowledge of the latest<br />

technologies, coding languages and<br />

methodologies that are an integral part<br />

of our state-of-the-art and innovative<br />

technology. If you want to contribute to<br />

something ground-breaking and have a<br />

great time doing it, then look no further.<br />

fb.me/<br />

@<br />

206 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Hokay thinks...<br />

Hokay Chung<br />

From<br />

University of York<br />

Studying<br />

Computer Science<br />

Position<br />

Software Developer IP<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

I was invited to an assessment day at<br />

the Cognito iQ office. In the morning, I<br />

completed problem solving, technical and<br />

psychometric tests. <strong>The</strong>n we did a group<br />

activity involving lego! In the afternoon,<br />

there was a technical and a personality<br />

interview.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I had a fair amount of responsibility<br />

and was able to make contributions to<br />

discussions about the work. <strong>The</strong> projects<br />

I worked on were the same as the other<br />

software developers and I never felt like I<br />

was doing something insignificant.<br />

“When you’re at the assessment<br />

centre make sure to show your<br />

interest in the company and for<br />

the role you’re applying for.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Do your research and prepare ahead of<br />

the assessment day. When you’re at the<br />

assessment centre make sure to show<br />

your interest in the company and for the<br />

role you’re applying for.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I definitely liked the challenge and<br />

learning new things. I enjoyed<br />

discovering all the different technologies<br />

that Cognito iQ use and trying them in<br />

practice. I never found it boring and was<br />

kept very busy!<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> general atmosphere at Cognito<br />

is great and very busy. <strong>The</strong> fact that it<br />

is open plan gives the environment a<br />

friendly feel and you can always see what<br />

is going on in the office. It also makes<br />

communicating with other people very<br />

easy.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re was a big Christmas party<br />

organised by the company that was really<br />

good fun. It took place in a hotel with the<br />

food and entertainment provided for free.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re were also smaller events organised<br />

such as go karting. Also, Friday is pub<br />

day.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

<strong>The</strong> graduate prospects are very<br />

promising. <strong>The</strong>re’s a high chance of being<br />

offered a graduate job if you work well<br />

throughout the year. Many placement<br />

students have returned to Cognito iQ.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I had a brilliant<br />

placement year at Cognito iQ! <strong>The</strong>re’s<br />

so much to learn here and it was a great<br />

challenge! #preparedforthefuture<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 207


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Service Management, HR,<br />

IT Infrastructure Operations<br />

Locations: London, Hatfield, Milton Keynes,<br />

Manchester<br />

Salary & Benefits: £17,000, 23 days holiday +<br />

optional benefits<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1 degree in<br />

any discipline<br />

Application Process: Online application, Video<br />

Assessment, Assessment Centres<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

IT Services &<br />

Solutions<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 15<br />

@Computacenter @Careers_CC<br />

10th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

5 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Achieve Great Things<br />

At Computacenter, our tag line is<br />

‘enabling users in a digital world’ – and<br />

that’s exactly what we do; we equip our<br />

customers’ people with the tools and<br />

technology they need, to be free to do<br />

what they do best. We put our customers<br />

and people at the heart of everything<br />

we do. As a year-long placement<br />

undergraduate, we will expect a lot of<br />

you, but in turn we will go the extra mile<br />

to enable you to achieve great things.<br />

Our placement programmes in Business<br />

Operations, Customer Account<br />

Management and HR departments<br />

are real jobs with real impact on our<br />

business. As well as experience in the<br />

workplace and on multiple customer sites,<br />

we offer business-aligned training and<br />

opportunities to build your own network.<br />

During your time at Computacenter you<br />

will have regular exposure to our senior<br />

leaders; be actively encouraged to play<br />

a pivotal role as a company ambassador<br />

at your university and offered potential<br />

opportunities for progression onto our<br />

Graduate and Associate Programmes.<br />

Have you got what it takes?<br />

208 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Tahir thinks...<br />

Tahir Limbada<br />

From<br />

<strong>The</strong> University of<br />

Manchester<br />

Studying<br />

Information Technology<br />

Management for Business<br />

Position<br />

IT Service Management<br />

Industrial Placement<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

After a phone interview, CC host a day<br />

which gives a great insight into the<br />

company and is an excellent opportunity<br />

to showcase your skills. <strong>The</strong> assessors<br />

continually encouraged us to do our best<br />

in presentations, group exercises and an<br />

interview.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I was treated as a key member of the<br />

team from day one, trusted to liaise with<br />

senior level staff and customer account<br />

teams. In my first week I met the Rolls<br />

Royce account team at Derby County<br />

football stadium; not a bad induction<br />

activity if you ask me!<br />

“<strong>The</strong> mix of process, project<br />

management and marketing<br />

allowed me to get exposure to<br />

so many different areas of the<br />

business. It was a perfect match<br />

for my degree.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

I can’t stress enough how important<br />

networking is at Computacenter. Try<br />

to get to know every assessor and<br />

show genuine enthusiasm towards the<br />

company/role. In the main be yourself<br />

and let your personality come through,<br />

Computacenter love that!<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I loved the variety that my role had<br />

to offer, every day presented a new<br />

challenge. <strong>The</strong> mix of process, project<br />

management and marketing allowed<br />

me to get exposure to so many different<br />

areas of the business. It was a perfect<br />

match for my degree.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

Friendly and positive! Colleagues were<br />

always there to offer me support and<br />

keen to get me involved. I was given the<br />

freedom to travel about to CC offices<br />

across the country to meet up with<br />

colleagues from other projects, who were<br />

always very welcoming.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I’ve had a<br />

fantastic year at @Computacenter where<br />

I’ve developed skills and knowledge<br />

invaluable to my future career! Proper<br />

responsibility on real-life projects!<br />

#enablingstudents<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 209


Thousands<br />

of hearts in<br />

a single beat<br />

moves me on<br />

Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Energy<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

210 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

35th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

3 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Commercial and<br />

Engineering schemes<br />

Locations: UK (mainly Nottingham & Coventry)<br />

Salary & Benefits: £17,500 + Graduate Fast<br />

Track opportunities<br />

Entry Requirements: On track for a minimum<br />

2:1 degree<br />

Application Process: Combination of online,<br />

telephone and face-to-face assessments<br />

fb.me/eoncareers.uk<br />

@<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 35<br />

E.ON is an exciting, inclusive business<br />

at the forefront of energy innovation. Our<br />

sector is always evolving and that means<br />

this place is always moving forward.<br />

Come here and you can expect to be<br />

constantly developing your skills to stay<br />

ahead of the energy revolution.<br />

From creating breakthrough technologies<br />

in marine energy to providing millions of<br />

customers with energy-saving advice,<br />

we can offer you a constant stream of<br />

worthwhile work. And you can expect<br />

plenty of freedom, ownership and<br />

responsibility for how you go about<br />

taking on those challenges – together<br />

with the chance to learn by working<br />

alongside a host of intelligent mentors<br />

and colleagues.<br />

For Commercial and Science &<br />

Engineering, our summer placements<br />

are 10 weeks long, whilst our year<br />

placements last 48 weeks. Both give you<br />

an insight into our fast-moving sector<br />

and the chance to push yourself, your<br />

ideas and your limits. Each is a fantastic<br />

opportunity to meet motivated people,<br />

make superb contacts, find out about<br />

the possible careers open to you and<br />

potentially be fast-tracked onto one of our<br />

graduate schemes.


Commercial & engineering opportunities<br />

<strong>The</strong> buzz of<br />

an electric<br />

environment<br />

moves me on<br />

What’s next? No, really, what’s next?<br />

That’s what’s always being asked. Here<br />

there’s a different attitude. An energy.<br />

People are excited. And the place is<br />

always moving forward. That’s because<br />

nobody’s just riding. Everyone’s pushing.<br />

Developing themselves, driving new<br />

ideas, going beyond limits. We have<br />

millions of motivations. We think you’ll<br />

find it refreshing. So go on, find out more<br />

about what E.ON has to offer motivated<br />

undergraduates and graduates<br />

by visiting eon-uk-careers.com


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

20th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

6 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Energy Trading<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Trading, Risk, Finance,<br />

Tax, IT<br />

Locations: London<br />

Salary & Benefits: £19,800 pro rata, 25 days<br />

holiday pro rata, comprehensive training and<br />

development plan<br />

How to apply<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 13<br />

Entry Requirements: Penultimate / Final Year<br />

Students<br />

Application Process: Visit www.rmp.gd/<br />

edftrading<br />

EDF Trading is a leader in the<br />

international wholesale energy markets.<br />

It manages a portfolio of assets which<br />

give it the ability to source, supply,<br />

transport, store, blend and convert<br />

physical commodities around the world.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se capabilities enable EDF Trading<br />

to deliver essential asset optimisation<br />

services, risk management and wholesale<br />

market access to the EDF Group and its<br />

third party customers, helping them to<br />

realise the value inherent in their asset<br />

portfolios.<br />

EDF Trading is active in the electricity,<br />

natural gas, LNG, LPG, coal and freight<br />

and environmental products markets. It<br />

is one of the largest wholesale market<br />

traders in Europe for power and gas and<br />

one of the leading marketers of gas and<br />

power in the US. Its subsidiary, EDF<br />

Energy Services, is one of the main<br />

providers of generation services for<br />

power generation companies in the US<br />

and a leading US energy retailer for large<br />

commercial and industrial customers.<br />

fb.me/<br />

@<br />

212 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Jonathan thinks...<br />

Jonathan Slade<br />

From<br />

University of Exeter<br />

Studying<br />

BA Economics with<br />

Industrial Experience<br />

Position<br />

Product Controller<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> process was comprised of an<br />

initial telephone interview followed<br />

by an assessment day at the EDFT<br />

London Headquarters. While the former<br />

predominantly tested competencies, the<br />

latter largely tested a broad range of<br />

topics including prior experience,<br />

knowledge and interpersonal skills.<br />

Overall, the day was enjoyable as it<br />

also gave me the chance to meet other<br />

prospective interns.<br />

“Responsibility was given to me<br />

right from the outset.”<br />

How much responsibility were you<br />

given?<br />

Responsibility was given to me right from<br />

the outset. I was based in the Treasury<br />

department. On day one I was given<br />

daily reports to update and issue both<br />

internally and externally. This exposure<br />

from the beginning helped to fast track<br />

my understanding of the department.<br />

Each intern is given a project to complete<br />

that is presented to Senior Executives.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

I found that the biggest challenge of the<br />

process was honing my skills to make<br />

sure I was ready for the presentation in<br />

the final week! I learnt that a calm but<br />

confident attitude coupled with a strong<br />

level of knowledge about the content<br />

was key to presenting well. Once it<br />

was finished I had a great sense of<br />

achievement.<br />

What did you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> flexibility of when I conducted the<br />

work for my project was one of the parts<br />

I most enjoyed. I was able to dictate my<br />

own pace and progress, albeit working<br />

towards project completion goals. This<br />

added to the responsibility and gave me<br />

a feeling of independence. Moreover, the<br />

team I worked in provided a great level of<br />

support.<br />

What was the atmosphere like in your<br />

team?<br />

<strong>The</strong> team I worked in were enthusiastic,<br />

hard-working and had plenty of<br />

knowledge to share. I felt settled within<br />

my first week of joining as the team were<br />

also welcoming. <strong>The</strong> team had a diverse<br />

age range, depth of experience and a<br />

wide array of interests outside of work.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se qualities all helped enhance the<br />

experience of working with them.<br />

@RateMyPlacement <strong>The</strong> opportunity<br />

at EDF Trading was great, more than an<br />

internship I felt it allowed me to have real<br />

exposure to projects in real time ! <strong>The</strong><br />

result, I was offered a permanent graduate<br />

position #Yopro #gradjob #EDFTrading<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 213


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

31st<br />

Reviewed by<br />

5 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Supply chain and<br />

logistics<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 10<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: HR, Consulting,<br />

Operational Management<br />

Locations: Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: £17,000 p/a, 25 days holiday,<br />

discretionary performance-related bonus<br />

scheme, pension scheme, HSF health plan<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:2, A*-C Maths<br />

and English GCSE, UK driving license<br />

Application Process: Online application,<br />

telephone interview, depot day, assessment<br />

centre<br />

Gist Limited is a supply chain company<br />

with a long history, spanning over 100<br />

years. We work closely with our 3,000+<br />

customers, including some of the biggest<br />

names in food retail such as Marks &<br />

Spencer Food, Starbucks and EAT.<br />

We have one of the UK’s most extensive<br />

chill and perishable supply chains as well<br />

as a well-established European network,<br />

specialising in horticulture and fresh<br />

produce logistics. We are responsible<br />

for ensuring every Marks & Spencer<br />

Food and Starbucks store in the UK<br />

receive deliveries on time, at the correct<br />

temperature, and work 24/7, 365 days<br />

a year to deliver the best service to our<br />

customers.<br />

It is the people at Gist that make us<br />

different. Our people are enthusiastic,<br />

driven and passionate to deliver the<br />

very best results. Early responsibility,<br />

coupled with a supportive environment<br />

and hands-on training, ensure our people<br />

reach their full potential and have every<br />

opportunity to make a difference.<br />

fb.me/Gist.FutureBusinessLogistics<br />

@Gist_World<br />

214 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Liam thinks...<br />

Liam McGarry<br />

From<br />

Queen’s University<br />

Belfast<br />

Studying<br />

BSc Business<br />

Management<br />

Position<br />

Warehouse Team<br />

Manager<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

It was an amazing experience that taught<br />

me a lot about myself. <strong>The</strong> interviewers<br />

were very considerate and caring<br />

towards me as it was my first ‘placement’<br />

interview; this was a big help and boosted<br />

my self-confidence.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

From the day I started with Gist I have<br />

been treated as a manager, this makes<br />

me feel really proud and has developed<br />

my confidence. I’ve been given full<br />

responsibility for a team of 6-8 full time<br />

employees and 15-20 agency employees<br />

in the Barnsley depot.<br />

“<strong>The</strong>re is a great atmosphere in<br />

our site. People feel empowered<br />

to share good ideas and develop<br />

new working practices.”<br />

what I enjoy most in my role. I am always<br />

able to say that I have learned something<br />

new that will inevitably enhance my<br />

career in the future.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is a great atmosphere in our site.<br />

People feel empowered to share good<br />

ideas and develop new working practices.<br />

My role as a manager is to nurture this<br />

and ensure everyone feels involved and<br />

able to make a difference.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

Very promising in my opinion; there are<br />

lots of Gist graduates who are now in<br />

really senior positions. <strong>The</strong> support and<br />

development offered to me at Gist has<br />

been excellent, and I feel like I am in a<br />

great position to develop into a future<br />

business leader.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Think about your communication style<br />

and don’t be afraid of adapting your<br />

approach – different styles will engage<br />

different people. Every day will present<br />

different challenges and learning<br />

from your experiences will build your<br />

management capabilities.<br />

@RateMyPlacement Placement<br />

complete with @Gist_World. What a<br />

tremendous experience! I feel so grateful to<br />

have had such a great opportunity so early<br />

in my career<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

Engaging and working with my team is<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 215


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Software Implementation,<br />

Software Development & IT<br />

Locations: Pease Pottage - near Gatwick<br />

Airport<br />

Salary & Benefits: £17,000 pa, free lunch &<br />

parking, 20 days holiday, relocation assistance<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1 in a related<br />

degree, maths or physics<br />

Application Process: Online Application and<br />

Assessment Day<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

IT<br />

@ShopfloorOnline<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

2nd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

3 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 5<br />

We are a specialist Software<br />

Development “Microsoft Gold Partner”<br />

Company using the latest technology in<br />

.NET, C#, JavaScript and SQL Server to<br />

develop our globally recognised software<br />

product, Shopfloor-Online.<br />

<strong>The</strong> software is a configurable solution<br />

used by manufacturers to increase<br />

efficiency and their customer satisfaction.<br />

We work in the automotive, food &<br />

beverage, and packaging sectors with<br />

companies such as Nissan, Airbus,<br />

United Biscuits and Toyota.<br />

With a passion for technology, working<br />

in our development or implementation<br />

& support teams you can make a real<br />

contribution. Our aim is for our students<br />

to have the best possible experience<br />

during their time with us, placing them in<br />

a challenging environment in which they<br />

can take on responsibility and develop<br />

skills such as requirements gathering<br />

and project management, working on real<br />

projects with international customers.<br />

Past placement students agree that one<br />

of the best things about our placement<br />

programme is that they got to work in a<br />

positive and collaborative environment.<br />

216 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Tabetha thinks...<br />

Tabetha Slade<br />

From<br />

University of Kent<br />

Studying<br />

BSc (Hons) Computer<br />

Science with a Year in<br />

Industry<br />

Position<br />

Software Engineer<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

This involved submitting my CV, code and<br />

online tests, an assessment day with 2<br />

interviews – one technical the other<br />

general – a group exercise and short<br />

personal presentation; daunting but a<br />

good experience.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

After the first 7 weeks of training we were<br />

thrown into the deep end, answering<br />

phone calls and supporting customers<br />

straight away. I was given ownership of a<br />

group of customers to support along with<br />

ad hoc support for other customers as<br />

required.<br />

“I did not expect a placement to<br />

offer me such a wide range of<br />

experience and responsibility.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Be confident and demonstrate your<br />

relevant skills at interview; assessment<br />

days and interviews are good experience<br />

for the future.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

In the first weeks after training one of my<br />

customers had an issue printing reports. I<br />

worked with the development team to<br />

fix this, creating a new label monitor<br />

and templates and installing this on the<br />

customer’s live system.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

Everybody was very welcoming, even<br />

the directors knew the students by<br />

name after the first couple of weeks. I<br />

did not expect a placement to offer me<br />

such a wide range of experience and<br />

responsibility; if you do something good,<br />

people remember it.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is an office football team and<br />

Friday drinks at the pub. It’s a very<br />

friendly and social company, a lot of<br />

people socialise together outside of<br />

work. <strong>The</strong>re is a weekend away for the<br />

Christmas party every year.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

Lighthouse is a growing company, the<br />

chances of returning as a graduate<br />

with them are high. Many of the current<br />

employees were placement students at<br />

Lighthouse before graduating university<br />

and joining the team.<br />

@RateMyPlacement Lighthouse<br />

Systems really helped me to improve my<br />

confidence and get the best out of my<br />

placement year. I was treated like an equal<br />

and an important member of the team!<br />

#LighthouseFamily<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 217


Placement<br />

Years<br />

fb.me/<br />

@<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Investment Banking<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Summer Internship<br />

Locations: London<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive<br />

How to apply<br />

15th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

8 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 20<br />

Entry Requirements: Min. 300 UCAS points,<br />

min. 2:1 in any degree<br />

Application Process: Online application form,<br />

online tests, telephone interview, assessment<br />

centre<br />

Joining us means enjoying a better<br />

balance in banking. We’re part of MUFG<br />

– a group with 140,000 employees in over<br />

40 countries. <strong>The</strong>ir size gives us stability<br />

and a global network upon which to build.<br />

Yet we, MUFG Securities, remain agile,<br />

entrepreneurial, and specialist. It’s a rare<br />

blend – one that defines our positive<br />

culture, gives us a unique position in the<br />

financial industry, and provides a unique<br />

experience for our interns.<br />

You’ll join a select intake and benefit<br />

from a buddy, a mentor and an inclusive,<br />

friendly work environment. You’ll carry<br />

out a series of department rotations and<br />

grasp just what it’s like to work within a<br />

global organisation.<br />

Our outstanding training will ensure<br />

that, even if you don’t have a financial<br />

background, you’ll rapidly develop the<br />

skills you need to build one. Put simply,<br />

we’ll want you to succeed – and you’ll be<br />

rewarded when you do.<br />

For more information about our<br />

opportunities, our events and how to<br />

apply, please go to muscampus.com. And<br />

if you want a truly balanced view from our<br />

people, visit our blog.<br />

218 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Rachael thinks...<br />

Rachael Solway<br />

From<br />

Loughborough University<br />

Studying<br />

International Economics<br />

Bsc (Hons)<br />

Position<br />

Analyst (Capital Markets<br />

Group)<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> internship interview process was<br />

daunting, but everyone I met throughout<br />

the recruitment day made me feel<br />

comfortable. <strong>The</strong>re were challenging<br />

questions, but these were just to<br />

demonstrate your ability rather than catch<br />

you out.<br />

How much responsibility were you<br />

given?<br />

<strong>The</strong> internship was structured well and<br />

my rotations were very well suited. I was<br />

given responsibility from the outset which<br />

was great because you felt as though you<br />

were adding value immediately. Having<br />

responsibility can be stressful at the<br />

beginning, but communication is vital for<br />

you to succeed.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> experience has exceeded<br />

my expectations in the form of<br />

exposure to senior management.”<br />

overwhelming for any new graduate.<br />

Asking for feedback, the good and the<br />

bad, ensures you settle in smoothly and<br />

feel more comfortable/confident in your<br />

own work.<br />

Where has your experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

<strong>The</strong> experience has exceeded my<br />

expectations in the form of exposure<br />

to senior management. As a 2nd year<br />

university student, you would never<br />

expect to sit down and have lunch with<br />

the CEO of a major investment bank<br />

within three weeks of starting!<br />

What did you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I enjoy many things about my role; I am<br />

able to work with many different teams<br />

and products, utilising my communication<br />

skills, providing analysis and following<br />

the market. Importantly, I feel like a<br />

valued member of the team; seeing your<br />

work being used in senior meetings is<br />

particularly rewarding.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

someone applying for your role?<br />

Be communicative, determined and<br />

motivated. It is also important to stay<br />

humble and be a team player.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

My biggest challenge has been<br />

my confidence; a new role can be<br />

@RateMyPlacement <strong>The</strong> Graduate<br />

Programme at MUFG has been invaluable;<br />

providing daily opportunities, challenges<br />

& support to help me showcase my skills<br />

#rewarding<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 219


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Sales, Marketing,<br />

PR, HR, Aftersales<br />

24th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

6 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Sales, Marketing, HR,<br />

Marketing Communications, Customer Service,<br />

Press, Aftersales<br />

Locations: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire<br />

Salary & Benefits: £18,000, car lease scheme,<br />

subsidised canteen, 25 days holiday<br />

Entry Requirements: 300 UCAS points<br />

Application Process: online application,<br />

telephone interview, SHL tests and assessment<br />

centre<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

@NissanUK<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 10<br />

We are Nissan and we make cars! But<br />

that’s only half the story. Here at Nissan<br />

Motor (GB) Limited, we are responsible<br />

for the sales, marketing and distribution<br />

activities for Nissan cars and commercial<br />

vehicles and services in the UK.<br />

Hardly surprising it’s such a fast-paced,<br />

exciting, creative place to work. We’re<br />

building a reputation as an innovative<br />

brand that’s challenging convention in<br />

the automotive industry. As the driving<br />

force behind the sales of our global<br />

brand in the UK, ours is a commercially<br />

focused environment, with a working<br />

culture that’s demanding but equally<br />

open, friendly and rewarding. It’s this<br />

innovative approach that has led Nissan<br />

to secure some of the world’s most<br />

exciting sporting partnerships, including<br />

the UEFA Champions League, coverage<br />

of the Premier League on Sky Sports and<br />

the International Cricket Council.<br />

We employ up to 10 industrial<br />

placements, with the aim of challenging<br />

you and providing you with a rewarding<br />

and insightful year in the industry. We<br />

aim to give you an experience that you<br />

will relish and use in your future career,<br />

hopefully with Nissan!<br />

220 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Emily thinks...<br />

Emily Hogg<br />

From<br />

Bournemouth University<br />

Studying<br />

Business Studies with<br />

Law<br />

Position<br />

Communications<br />

Assistant<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> recruitment process was extremely<br />

structured, permitting me to illustrate<br />

different skills. It started with an online<br />

application followed by a telephone<br />

interview and psychometric tests. We<br />

then had an assessment centre and<br />

finally a Skype interview.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I’ve had more responsibility at Nissan<br />

than I could have ever imagined. I’m<br />

solely responsible for the Internal<br />

Communications in the organisation.<br />

I’ve also been involved in organising,<br />

executing and debriefing projects and<br />

events.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Be ready to jump in as you’ll be<br />

a valuable member of the team.<br />

Enthusiasm is key and therefore you<br />

should get involved in every opportunity,<br />

such as training exercises and meetings<br />

with executives. Make the most of the<br />

programme as you can learn so much!<br />

“<strong>The</strong> office atmosphere is<br />

great. It’s a fun and fast paced<br />

environment, where everyone is<br />

friendly and willing to help you<br />

whenever you need it.”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

Working with the different Nissan<br />

partnerships. Nissan sponsor the British<br />

Olympics and Paralympics Association<br />

along with MCFC, ICC and the UCL. I’ve<br />

been able to assist in creating awareness<br />

of these partnerships by organising stunts<br />

and events.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

My biggest challenge has been getting<br />

approval on proposals from Nissan<br />

Europe. As we are working with a variety<br />

of partners and teams within Europe,<br />

it can sometimes be a long approval<br />

process.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> office atmosphere is great. It’s a<br />

fun and fast paced environment, where<br />

everyone is friendly and willing to help<br />

you whenever you need it. <strong>The</strong>re is also a<br />

great social aspect, we often go for lunch<br />

with colleagues.<br />

@RateMyPlacement My placement<br />

at Nissan Motor GB Ltd was absolutely<br />

fantastic. <strong>The</strong> responsibility was great and<br />

the skills I’ve developed have set me up for<br />

the future. #innovationthatexcites<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 221


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Automotive<br />

11th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

8 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Commercial, IT, Parts<br />

Logistics, Finance, HR<br />

Locations: Coventry<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary of 17,000<br />

per annum, Employee Car Scheme, 26 days<br />

holiday, gym, retail discounts<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

@CareersPSA<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 10<br />

Entry Requirements: Working towards 2:1 in any<br />

degree. A-C GCSE or equivalent in Maths & English<br />

Application Process: Online application form,<br />

ability testing, telephone interview, assessment<br />

centre<br />

With three world-renowned brands, PSA<br />

Group sold over 2.9 million vehicles<br />

worldwide in 2015. <strong>The</strong> Peugeot, Citroën<br />

and DS brands have their own distinct<br />

identities and market a broad range of<br />

vehicles that meets an even broader<br />

range of customer expectations.<br />

We are an award winning manufacturer<br />

with accolades such as ‘Best Advertising<br />

Campaign’ with our Peugeot 308, our<br />

Grand C4 Picasso holds the title of<br />

‘Best MPV’ at the Auto Express Awards<br />

alongside exciting ventures for our DS<br />

brand with Virgin Racing in Formula-E.<br />

Our strategy to success is based on the<br />

‘Push to Pass’ plan – this effectively<br />

opens a new chapter in the Group’s<br />

history. As well as setting out the<br />

strategic focuses and specific objectives,<br />

it represents the first steps towards<br />

achieving the Company’s vision:<br />

To be the most efficient car maker and<br />

the preferred mobility services provider<br />

worldwide.<br />

PSA Group is integrating the talent and<br />

passion of our people with cutting edge<br />

technology to ensure our success. This is<br />

a future we would like you to be a part of.<br />

222 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Katy thinks...<br />

Katy Bates<br />

From<br />

Newcastle University<br />

Studying<br />

BA (Hons) Business<br />

Management<br />

Position<br />

Retail Group Human<br />

Resources<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> Interview process was quick,<br />

convenient and relevant! <strong>The</strong> HR Team<br />

explained each step and you were made<br />

to feel comfortable from the word go.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

I am completely autonomous in my role,<br />

meaning high levels of responsibility.<br />

My main areas of responsibility revolve<br />

around cost monitoring, recruitment<br />

and reward & recognition. <strong>The</strong>se are all<br />

extremely important aspects for the team<br />

and the Company.<br />

“<strong>The</strong>re is so much to do here<br />

with the Head Office being<br />

based in the Midlands. Close by<br />

you have the work gym or the<br />

football and netball teams.”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Get stuck in, never say no to anything!<br />

If you want to do something then just<br />

ask! I have been all over the country with<br />

events having an absolute ball; none<br />

of my friends have even come close to<br />

having this sort of opportunity.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I enjoy how much you learn on a day to<br />

day basis. HR is an academic heavy job,<br />

and I feel I learn more and more each<br />

day through new experiences that I have.<br />

No two days are ever the same!<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is always someone laughing in the<br />

office! Everyone works hard but I am sure<br />

they will all agree they play much harder.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is so much to do here with the<br />

Head Office being based in the Midlands.<br />

Close by you have the work gym or the<br />

football and netball teams. Further afield<br />

you have Warwick, Leamington Spa and<br />

Birmingham brimming with activities.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

You can really tell PSA Group wants to<br />

keep their homegrown talent, as many of<br />

the current managers came through the<br />

Placement and Graduate route. It gives<br />

the company a really nice family feel and<br />

I hope that maybe one day I will be able<br />

to rejoin the family!<br />

@RateMyPlacement I could not<br />

have asked for a better placement year!<br />

Challenges and achievement come hand<br />

in hand at PSA Group, all whilst having a<br />

fantastic year and fun time with the best<br />

people! #timeofmylife<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 223


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Professional<br />

Service<br />

32nd<br />

Reviewed by<br />

4 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Audit, Business Tax,<br />

Private Client Tax and Forensic Accountancy<br />

Locations: Nationwide<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 15<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1 in any<br />

degree, 300 UCAS points and achieved<br />

a minimum of a B or above in GCSE (or<br />

equivalent) English and maths<br />

Application Process: Online application form,<br />

online numerical and verbal reasoning test,<br />

assessment centre, first & final round interview<br />

Smith & Williamson is a leading<br />

independently owned financial services<br />

firm combining an accountancy practice,<br />

an investment management arm and a<br />

private bank.<br />

We provide award-winning services to<br />

individuals, corporates, professional<br />

practices and non-profit organisations.<br />

<strong>The</strong> breadth of services we offer as a firm<br />

is unparalleled and makes us unique in<br />

the industry. However, our hallmark is the<br />

integrity and the commitment we give to<br />

our client relationships.<br />

To provide the service our clients expect<br />

we know our trusted business advisers<br />

need an empowering and supportive<br />

work environment. With 13 UK offices<br />

and global reach through membership of<br />

Nexia International, we’re big enough to<br />

be competitive. Yet our size means you’ll<br />

be part of a friendly, enthusiastic team –<br />

and get to know colleagues across the<br />

firm.<br />

Your career is our future. That’s why<br />

we are committed to developing trusted<br />

business advisers who can really fulfil our<br />

clients’ potential.<br />

@SmithWilliamson<br />

224 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Sophie thinks...<br />

Sophie Kelly<br />

From<br />

University of Durham<br />

Studying<br />

Biology and Chemistry<br />

Position<br />

Trainee in business tax<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I wanted to do something finance based<br />

that would still allow me to use the soft<br />

skills I developed while studying for<br />

my degree. Corporate tax caught my<br />

interest around the time I was applying<br />

because there was a lot about it in the<br />

news. Accountancy has a reputation<br />

for being separate from the world and,<br />

until I started looking into it, I hadn’t<br />

realised how connected it is to what’s<br />

happening in the media, in politics and in<br />

all businesses. <strong>The</strong> work changes a lot as<br />

each new budget is released; it’s never<br />

stagnant. It’s nice to know that you’re<br />

doing something that’s very relevant.<br />

“My communication skills have<br />

definitely improved, given both<br />

the team environment and<br />

client-facing aspects of the job.”<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

Due to the nature of the questions you<br />

have to answer, I found it very difficult<br />

to get my character across. At the same<br />

time, I was very aware of who I was up<br />

against and conscious that I needed to<br />

make an impression. As you get further<br />

along in the application process, you<br />

become more attached to whichever firm<br />

you’ve applied to, but it’s important not to<br />

let rejection hurt too much.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

Each of our clients has a dedicated<br />

team working for them, typically made<br />

up of a trainee, manager and partner.<br />

As a first-year trainee I assist with the<br />

tax compliance process and also get<br />

involved with ad-hoc advisory projects.<br />

My responsibilities and involvement<br />

will increase in line with my level of<br />

experience. What’s great about Smith<br />

& Williamson is that our Business Tax<br />

department isn’t segregated, so I get to<br />

experience working for all types of clients<br />

and gain a real breadth of knowledge and<br />

training as a result.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

My communication skills have definitely<br />

improved, given both the team<br />

environment and client-facing aspects<br />

of the job. Good communication with<br />

your manager is also essential because,<br />

as a trainee, you will need to ask for<br />

clarification and help. Time management<br />

is fundamental, especially during exam<br />

time as you need to be able to do your<br />

job while revising – you can’t let anything<br />

slip by the wayside.<br />

@RateMyPlacement the opportunities<br />

I have gained at Smith & Williamson so<br />

far are invaluable, and are really helping<br />

me to develop and progress in my career!<br />

#greatexperience<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 225


MAKE A<br />

DIFFERENCE,<br />

NOT TEA<br />

Are you up for a challenge?<br />

Visit sparx.co.uk/ignite<br />

Placement<br />

Years<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus: Number of<br />

Education<br />

Technology 8<br />

Vacancies:<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Content Science,<br />

Software Development and Marketing<br />

Locations: Exeter, UK<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary, free<br />

accommodation, 25 days holiday pro rata<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

How to apply<br />

25th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

3 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Entry Requirements: Minimum 2:1 in relevant<br />

technical discipline<br />

Application Process: Online Application, Online<br />

Assessments, Video Interview, up to two office<br />

based interview days<br />

Sparx is a cutting-edge and researchbased<br />

educational technology company.<br />

We’re using technology, data and<br />

real world classroom observation to<br />

investigate scientifically the way young<br />

people learn.<br />

Our intelligent technology platform<br />

is an extensible, data-driven, mobile<br />

framework. Designed for the classroom,<br />

it delivers truly adaptive mathematics<br />

lessons. School children can learn at<br />

their own pace, using tailored questions<br />

and tutorials to help them reach their full<br />

potential. Each task generates data about<br />

how they’re learning and teachers can<br />

see at a glance how the class are doing,<br />

focusing their attention where it’s needed<br />

most.<br />

Back at Sparx HQ, we run trials, explore<br />

what works and analyse the data that we<br />

capture in every lesson and each piece<br />

of homework. Our team of data scientists,<br />

statisticians and content scientists use<br />

these insights to drive the development<br />

of new questions, games and incentives,<br />

all tailored to increase the students’<br />

understanding and to help us deliver<br />

better, more effective lessons every time.<br />

@<br />

226 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Chris thinks...<br />

Chris Williamson<br />

From<br />

University of Oxford<br />

Studying<br />

Mathematics<br />

Position<br />

Content Scientist<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> process had a number of different<br />

stages to test a variety of skills, including<br />

two assessment centres at the company’s<br />

office; although these days were quite<br />

intense everyone was really friendly and<br />

it was good to look around the company’s<br />

office.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

My work had a direct impact on the<br />

company’s product and the content I<br />

created will be used in future lessons.<br />

Additionally, my side-projects were<br />

directly relevant to the company’s<br />

interests and my contributions in<br />

meetings were taken seriously.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> part I enjoyed most was<br />

almost immediately getting to<br />

work on real lesson content.”<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

I was really pleased with how well I<br />

got on with my colleagues and I really<br />

enjoyed the activities that were organised<br />

for us in the evenings after work. <strong>The</strong>re<br />

was something new pretty much every<br />

week.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I really enjoyed doing something different<br />

every day. It was great to experience<br />

working across a variety of areas, such<br />

as proofreading and data analysis.<br />

<strong>The</strong> part I enjoyed most was almost<br />

immediately getting to work on real<br />

lesson content.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

Very friendly - the open layout of the<br />

office meant that sharing of ideas<br />

happened freely and the size of the<br />

company meant that it was always clear<br />

who to ask for advice. Pool and table<br />

football in the downstairs area aided<br />

relaxation.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re were regular social events in the<br />

evenings to which I would be invited.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

Very appealing - I cannot imagine<br />

enjoying a job much more than this one.<br />

I have been offered and have accepted<br />

to return to Sparx as a Graduate in the<br />

Content Science team and I cannot wait<br />

to return!<br />

@RateMyPlacement I worked on maths<br />

content for the classroom from day one.<br />

You can make a real impact at Sparx as a<br />

content science intern #illuminatelearning<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 227


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Retail<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Merchandising & Buying<br />

and Finance<br />

Locations: Watford, UK<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive to market, 25<br />

days holiday + other company benefits<br />

How to apply<br />

5th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

8 students<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 25<br />

Entry Requirements: We accept and encourage<br />

applications from all degree disciplines<br />

Application Process: Online application, online<br />

assessments, assessment centre<br />

Hello, we’re TKMaxx, and we want to<br />

invite you to be part of something huge.<br />

We’re part of <strong>The</strong> TJX Companies, Inc.<br />

– the world’s leading off-price apparel<br />

and home fashions retailer. We have<br />

an annual turnover of over $30.9 billion<br />

in revenues (FY16). What’s so different<br />

about off-price retail? It’s a lean business<br />

model without frills or fancy extras. It<br />

involves buying when we find something<br />

amazing – much like our customers do<br />

– all year round and as close to season<br />

as possible to get the best deal. No two<br />

deals are ever the same, and Buyers are<br />

in the market all the time with an open<br />

brief to buy anything – as long as it’ll<br />

wow customers.<br />

We are excited about our growth<br />

prospects and we think big – and this<br />

translates into huge opportunities for<br />

you. As a graduate you will be given<br />

unparalleled opportunities to develop<br />

commercial sense and business<br />

management skills, allowing you to play a<br />

role in driving our expansion.<br />

fb.me/TJXEuropeEarlyCareers<br />

@<br />

228 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Alexander thinks...<br />

Alexander King<br />

From<br />

Bournemouth University<br />

Studying<br />

Retail Management<br />

Position<br />

Allocation Analyst<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> interview process consisted of<br />

online tests and a video interview. <strong>The</strong><br />

assessment centre involved an interview,<br />

and two group discussions. <strong>The</strong>re was an<br />

opportunity to shadow a current analyst<br />

who gave insight into their job.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

After the first month’s training, I then<br />

went “live” as an Allocation Analyst<br />

responsible for the Men’s Accessories<br />

Department. This role has many<br />

responsibilities including partnering with<br />

buyers to choose the products for stores<br />

and partnering with my team to produce<br />

strategies to improve the product mix.<br />

“I’ve enjoyed working with<br />

product as it’s both creative<br />

and exciting.”<br />

given more responsibility. I’ve enjoyed<br />

working with product as it’s both creative<br />

and exciting. Working with others has<br />

been rewarding and helped with my<br />

learning. I’ve enjoyed traveling and<br />

meeting new people.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

Being able to negotiate my own<br />

deals with vendors under my buyer’s<br />

supervision was rewarding, as it gave me<br />

a direct insight into a buyer’s role. Also<br />

working with my buyers on production<br />

stock and seeing my idea put into action.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

I initially thought I would be shadowing<br />

someone on the placement as opposed<br />

to being given real responsibility, I’ve<br />

been massively surprised in a good way.<br />

<strong>The</strong> companies open culture has also<br />

exceeded my expectations.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is an eclectic mix at TJX so<br />

it’s important to just be yourself. It’s<br />

important to show your passion about<br />

products. I would encourage you to<br />

take risks and don’t be afraid to make<br />

mistakes.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

Slowly gaining trust and in turn being<br />

@RateMyPlacement My placement<br />

was a fantastic opportunity to build<br />

networks across the company as well as<br />

externally, which is crucial for a buyer to be<br />

successful. I was given the responsibility to<br />

travel across the UK and Europe.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 229


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

9th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

5 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Marketing & Sales<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Various business-related<br />

roles, including Marketing, Social Media, Finance<br />

& Press/PR<br />

Locations: Epsom, Surrey<br />

Salary & Benefits: £17,500, 25 days hols, car<br />

scheme, on-site gym, sport/social club<br />

Entry Requirements: Undertaking student<br />

placement as part of undergraduate degree<br />

Application Process: Online application, CV &<br />

Cover letter, Ability Tests, Interview with line<br />

manager<br />

fb.me/toyotauk<br />

@ToyotaGB<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 10<br />

Join us, and make a real difference!<br />

We look after sales, marketing, after<br />

sales and customer relations nationwide<br />

for Toyota and Lexus brand vehicles.<br />

As makers of the best-known hybrid car,<br />

the Prius, and new hydrogen-powered<br />

Mirai, we have a clear environmental<br />

vision. We work closely with Kew<br />

Gardens to make our site sustainable,<br />

bio-diverse and home to a range of native<br />

wildlife, whilst always looking for ways we<br />

can do even more.<br />

At our head office, near Epsom, Surrey,<br />

our team of c. 400 people work to coordinate<br />

our main operations and support<br />

the national network of c. 200 Toyota &<br />

50 Lexus centres, as well as specialist<br />

fleet centres dealing exclusively with<br />

commercial customers.<br />

You will be doing work that directly<br />

impacts our success. Our students often<br />

say they did not expect to have so much<br />

responsibility – but they love it! We<br />

think it’s important to make the most of<br />

your placement – so if there’s a project<br />

or event that you are interested in, get<br />

involved!<br />

230 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Hannah thinks...<br />

Hannah Hart<br />

From<br />

Bournemouth University<br />

Studying<br />

BA (Hons) Business<br />

Studies with Marketing<br />

Position<br />

Placement Student, CSR<br />

& Environmental Affairs<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> application process required an<br />

updated CV and covering letter, online<br />

psychometric test, and subsequent<br />

interview with your prospective manager.<br />

This was a very enjoyable process with<br />

great feedback and opportunities to ask<br />

questions throughout.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

It was clear from the start that I<br />

didn’t need to worry about a lack of<br />

responsibility. Being entrusted to take<br />

ownership of projects and manage them<br />

in their entirety is something that I have<br />

thrived upon throughout my placement<br />

year.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> office atmosphere has<br />

largely contributed to the<br />

enjoyment of my year. I was<br />

shocked at how friendly and<br />

supportive everyone is.”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> aspect of my role that I have enjoyed<br />

the most is getting involved with our local<br />

community, supporting them with the<br />

great work they are doing for those in<br />

need and less-fortunate. It has been the<br />

most rewarding part of my role.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

I was concerned when starting my<br />

placement that I would feel like a<br />

“student”. This has not been the case at<br />

all, and I have been provided with many<br />

other opportunities to get involved in all<br />

aspects of the company.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> office atmosphere has largely<br />

contributed to the enjoyment of my<br />

year. I was shocked at how friendly and<br />

supportive everyone is, even those in<br />

other departments. It’s a very fun place to<br />

work, with a healthy balance of hard work<br />

and laughter.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> best advice that I would give to<br />

students applying for the role is to ensure<br />

they spend enough time checking their<br />

CVs and covering letters to ensure there<br />

are no spelling or grammar mistakes.<br />

@RateMyPlacement Fantastic<br />

year at @ToyotaGB – I’ve learned so<br />

much, had loads of fun & made great<br />

connections. Hope I get the grad scheme!<br />

#awesomeplacement #mycareerstartshere<br />

#abetterme #alwaysabetterway<br />

#amazinginmotion<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 231


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Technology<br />

27th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

6 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Finance, HR, Data<br />

Analytics, Marketing, Business Support<br />

Locations: Langley, Berkshire; Swindon, Wiltshire<br />

Salary & Benefits: £17,000, 25 days holiday,<br />

bonus plan, social club<br />

Entry Requirements: Working towards a 2:1 or<br />

above in a relevant degree<br />

Application Process: Online application,<br />

telephone interview and assessment centre<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

@Travelport<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 20<br />

Travelport, listed on the New York Stock<br />

Exchange with revenue exceeding<br />

$2.2bn in 2015, is the world’s only true<br />

Travel Commerce Platform, providing<br />

distribution, technology, payment and<br />

mobile solutions for the global travel and<br />

tourism industry.<br />

With a presence in over 170 countries,<br />

our platform facilitates travel commerce<br />

by connecting the world’s leading travel<br />

providers, such as airlines and hotel<br />

chains, with online and offline travel<br />

buyers. Travelport enables real time<br />

access to fares from approximately<br />

400 airlines globally, including low-cost<br />

carriers and flagship carriers such as<br />

British Airways and Delta Air Lines. In<br />

addition, it provides the inventory of<br />

over 650,000 unique hotel properties,<br />

over 35,000 car rental locations, cruiseline<br />

and tour operators and major rail<br />

networks.<br />

Travelport’s Internship Programme<br />

offers students the opportunity to work<br />

on interesting technical and business<br />

challenges. Not only will your work<br />

directly impact Travelport’s success, it will<br />

also equip you with the skills necessary<br />

for your future career.<br />

232 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Amarjot thinks...<br />

Amarjot Singh<br />

From<br />

University of Reading<br />

Studying<br />

BA Accounting and<br />

Management<br />

Position<br />

Financial Operations<br />

Intern<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

Following the online application and<br />

phone interview, an assessment centre<br />

was held at the Head Office. We had a<br />

group task, Excel test and 2 interviews.<br />

<strong>The</strong> assessment centre was well<br />

organised and everyone tried to make us<br />

feel comfortable.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

From Day 1, I was given daily tasks to<br />

complete and as my confidence was<br />

building, my manager gave me more<br />

responsibility. A great thing about being<br />

an intern with Travelport is that you are<br />

treated like a regular employee, which is<br />

very rewarding.<br />

“From my time here, I can say<br />

the culture at Travelport is very<br />

welcoming and supportive –<br />

especially to the interns!”<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Prepare yourself for the assessment<br />

centre as this is a great way to showcase<br />

your abilities – but be yourself! Also, try<br />

to arrange a mock interview with your<br />

university tutor as it will help you prepare<br />

for the real interviews.<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

My biggest challenge this year was<br />

heading up the Billing Support team<br />

on my own for a couple of weeks. This<br />

tested my time management skills to<br />

make sure daily issues were solved<br />

quickly and effectively. It helped me<br />

realise what I am truly capable of.<br />

Describe your biggest achievement.<br />

I was involved in a project relating to a<br />

contract review of multinational accounts<br />

that followed a strict timeline. I was able<br />

to quickly grasp the knowledge required<br />

to independently carry out the work and I<br />

received an award for my efforts.<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

Working in the Head Office provides a<br />

great working environment as you are<br />

able to interact with colleagues from<br />

different departments. From my time<br />

here, I can say the culture at Travelport<br />

is very welcoming and supportive –<br />

especially to the interns!<br />

@RateMyPlacement My time at<br />

Travelport has been challenging, but also<br />

very rewarding. It has given me a great<br />

insight into my future career prospects<br />

within the finance sector. #motivation<br />

#enjoyedit<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 233


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

4th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

7 students<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Travel and Tourism<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Product, Trading,<br />

E-Commerce<br />

Locations: Bedfordshire<br />

Salary & Benefits: £17,000, 20 days holiday,<br />

travel benefits, gym discount<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: 300 UCAS points<br />

Application Process: Online Application,<br />

Numerical Test, Telephone Interview,<br />

Assessment Centre<br />

fb.me/ TUIUKPlacement<br />

@TUIUK_Placement<br />

234 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 7<br />

TUI UK & Ireland is part of TUI Group<br />

which is the world’s number one<br />

integrated tourism business operating in<br />

180 countries worldwide. We’re a fastpaced<br />

business and the vision ‘Making<br />

travel experiences special’ underpins<br />

everything we do.<br />

As well as being a market leader with<br />

some of the most well-known holiday<br />

brands such as Thomson and First<br />

Choice, we’re a FTSE 100 company<br />

which means we have to make sure we’re<br />

always one step ahead of competition.<br />

What can you expect from an awardwinning<br />

placement scheme with us?<br />

You’ll be joining our head office in Luton<br />

working on the Thomson and First<br />

Choice brands. <strong>The</strong> roles are in various<br />

departments including Product, Yield,<br />

Cruise and E-Commerce.<br />

You’ll be in a full-time role with real<br />

responsibility, where you’ll be making<br />

important commercial decision from day<br />

one.<br />

It goes without saying that we think our<br />

Placement Scheme is one of the best.<br />

And we’re pleased to say that we’re not<br />

alone.


What Liam thinks...<br />

Liam Burns<br />

From<br />

Coventry University<br />

Studying<br />

MSc Aviation<br />

Management<br />

Position<br />

Late Trading Assistant<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> interview process consisted of an<br />

application form, telephone interview,<br />

online test and an assessment centre.<br />

Here you experience the friendly<br />

atmosphere at TUI for the first time which<br />

really helped with the nerves!<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

One of the benefits of this placement is<br />

that you are given the same responsibility<br />

as your colleagues. I work on high<br />

value contracts on a daily basis and am<br />

responsible for profitably selling our flight<br />

seats – all of this has really helped me<br />

develop.<br />

“Before the placement, I didn’t<br />

know what I wanted to do postuniversity<br />

but this year has<br />

exceeded expectations so much<br />

that I want to come back as<br />

soon as possible!”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> responsibility I get to trade a specific<br />

resort is great; I make my own decisions<br />

on how I manage the pricing of flights and<br />

hotels. I’m often set challenging targets<br />

and really enjoy the autonomy I have<br />

over my own resorts.<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

Before the placement, I didn’t know<br />

what I wanted to do post-university but<br />

this year has exceeded expectations<br />

so much that I want to come back as<br />

soon as possible! <strong>The</strong> work is extremely<br />

rewarding but it’s the people that make<br />

TUI the best place to work.<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

<strong>The</strong> graduate prospects are really<br />

encouraging right from the start. You get<br />

a fast-track onto the assessment day for<br />

the graduate scheme and can secure a<br />

place for the following year before you’ve<br />

even finished your placement.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

students applying for your role?<br />

Everyone at TUI has a passion for travel<br />

and their jobs. If you share this, I have no<br />

doubt the role will really interest you. On<br />

the assessment day come prepared but<br />

try to relax, be yourself and show your<br />

passion!<br />

@RateMyPlacement I have loved every<br />

second of my placement at TUI. I have met<br />

some fantastic people, gained invaluable<br />

experience of a workplace and would love<br />

to come back! #TUIfied<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 235


Placement<br />

Years<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Financial Services<br />

17th<br />

Reviewed by<br />

5 students<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Multiple vacancies across<br />

a number of business areas<br />

Locations: Milton Keynes<br />

Salary & Benefits: £16,500 + optional subsidised<br />

loan car, 27 days holiday, pension, healthcare,<br />

corporate gym rates<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1 degree in<br />

relevant subject<br />

Application Process: Online CV, Telephone<br />

interview, Assessment Centre<br />

fb.me/<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

How to apply<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 20<br />

Volkswagen Financial Services (UK)<br />

Limited (VWFS) is the captive finance<br />

company for the Volkswagen Group in<br />

the UK, offering finance and insurance/<br />

maintenance services to customers of<br />

the Volkswagen Group Brands including<br />

Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, SKODA,<br />

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles,<br />

Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti,<br />

Ducati and MAN.<br />

VWFS is a wholly owned subsidiary of<br />

Volkswagen Financial Services AG, which<br />

is based in Braunschweig Germany.<br />

VWFS offers affordable finance and<br />

insurance products to help people buy<br />

vehicles from the Volkswagen Group<br />

through dealerships. We also provide<br />

fleet management solutions for small<br />

and large businesses – anything from<br />

two to three vehicles, up to thousands<br />

of vans for larger enterprises. In<br />

addition, Volkswagen bank supports<br />

our dealerships by providing funding to<br />

dealerships to enhance their premises<br />

and purchase new vehicles to sell onto<br />

customers as well as demonstrator and<br />

courtesy cars.<br />

@<br />

236 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Katharine thinks...<br />

Katharine Whiting<br />

From<br />

De Montfort University<br />

Studying<br />

Business and<br />

Management<br />

Position<br />

Customer Operations<br />

Reporting Analyst<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

At first I had a telephone interview<br />

which consisted of various competency<br />

questions. I then attended an assessment<br />

centre held at their head office where<br />

I had to take part in market place<br />

interviews, a group activity and individual<br />

presentation.<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

I enjoy the wide range of tasks I<br />

get to complete for various different<br />

departments as it makes all my working<br />

days different and interesting. I also<br />

enjoy how I am constantly up-skilling and<br />

challenging myself so I can complete<br />

more tasks.<br />

“VWFS Teamswork group are<br />

always organising fun, social<br />

activities for all staff to take<br />

part in.”<br />

What is the office atmosphere like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> office atmosphere at VWFS is<br />

extremely friendly and supportive. All<br />

the staff fully embrace the positive<br />

organisational culture and you can<br />

really tell. As for the office environment,<br />

everything is brand new and very<br />

modern.<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

Very good! VWFS Teamswork group are<br />

always organising fun, social activities<br />

for all staff to take part in. Most recently<br />

they have organised a summer social and<br />

Caribbean themed celebration party!<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

VWFS set up telephone interviews for all<br />

the undergraduates for VWG’s graduate<br />

scheme. As a result I have been fast<br />

tracked and given a golden ticket to the<br />

VWG graduate assessment centre which<br />

is amazing!<br />

How has this experience exceeded<br />

your expectations?<br />

My placement has exceeded my<br />

expectations! I have been able<br />

to challenge myself and develop<br />

professionally and personally throughout<br />

the year. All my colleagues have been<br />

incredibility supportive and I’ve been<br />

exposed to many different business<br />

areas.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I have loved my<br />

placement at VWFS! I have been given real<br />

responsibility, the opportunity to develop<br />

and the chance to get involved in many<br />

business wide projects. #Takemeback<br />

#GoldenTicket #Future<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 237


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

Opportunities available<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

Travel & Tourism<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Sales, Customer Service,<br />

Marketing, Finance, IT<br />

Locations: Windsor, Berkshire<br />

Salary & Benefits: Competitive Salary, 20 days<br />

holiday + bank holidays, Company Social Events<br />

+ Venue Visits<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: Committed, enthusiastic<br />

team players with a real desire to ‘make a<br />

difference’<br />

Application Process: CV and Cover Letter,<br />

Telephone Interview, Assessment Day<br />

fb.me/gbcareers<br />

@Golfbreaks<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

238 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk<br />

WINNER<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 25<br />

Golfbreaks.com was formed in 1998 by<br />

Chief Executive Andrew Stanley, and is<br />

Europe’s specialist golf travel company,<br />

organising golf breaks for more than<br />

220,000 golfers each year at over 2,000<br />

resorts and courses in the UK, Europe<br />

and Worldwide.<br />

We have 150 staff based at our head<br />

office in Windsor, Berkshire – we also<br />

have offices in South Carolina and<br />

Denmark, from which our American and<br />

Scandinavian operations are run. We<br />

pride ourselves on our commitment to<br />

developing our employees and have<br />

been accredited with Investors in People<br />

since 2006. Last year we were awarded<br />

the Gold standard for the 2nd time,<br />

joining the top 7% of accredited UK<br />

organisations.<br />

As a medium sized business, we can<br />

offer students direct exposure to all<br />

aspects of the company, providing<br />

opportunities to gain advice and learn<br />

skills from experienced members of staff,<br />

making it the perfect environment for a<br />

student to thrive.<br />

Historically 25% of placement students,<br />

who have excelled during their placement<br />

year, return to permanent positions upon<br />

graduation.


What Thomas thinks...<br />

Thomas Matthews<br />

From<br />

University of the West of<br />

England (UWE)<br />

Studying<br />

(BA Hons) Business and<br />

Management<br />

Position<br />

Customer Service<br />

Assistant<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the interview process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> interview and assessment centre is<br />

quite relaxed and actually enjoyable! <strong>The</strong><br />

aim is to get to know your personality and<br />

how you would fit into the company rather<br />

than focusing on psychometric tests<br />

which is different to other roles I applied<br />

for.<br />

How much responsibility do you have?<br />

<strong>The</strong> benefit of working in an SME is<br />

that you are given a lot of responsibility<br />

which I loved. Students are treated the<br />

same as full time employees and it’s<br />

great to see the work you are doing<br />

actually contributes to the success of the<br />

company.<br />

“<strong>The</strong> benefit of working in an<br />

SME is that you are given a lot<br />

of responsibility which I loved.”<br />

What do you most enjoy about your<br />

role?<br />

<strong>The</strong> most enjoyable part of my role is the<br />

variety of situations I can get involved<br />

in. No client or situation is the same and<br />

it keeps the work interesting and keeps<br />

me learning.You also get trips to see the<br />

venues first-hand which are great fun!<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

<strong>The</strong> first day being on the contact centre<br />

floor. <strong>The</strong> training provided all the<br />

knowledge needed but it’s still daunting<br />

taking that first call. You do get the hang<br />

of it quickly and everyone offers lots of<br />

support which really helps!<br />

What activities are there outside of<br />

work?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are lots of social activities to get<br />

involved in. From our two company<br />

social events (Summer Social and our<br />

Black Tie Annual Awards Evening) to 5<br />

a side football, the company Match Play<br />

competition and Friday drinks, there is<br />

always something going on!<br />

How promising are the graduate<br />

prospects?<br />

Golfbreaks.com normally takes back<br />

around 25% of placement students<br />

each year as graduates. <strong>The</strong> majority of<br />

people I work with in my department are<br />

graduates so the graduate prospects are<br />

excellent.<br />

@RateMyPlacement Couldn’t<br />

have asked for a better placement<br />

year! Had some incredible experiences<br />

and met some amazing people<br />

#myplacementsbetterthanyours<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 239


Placement<br />

Years<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

FINALIST<br />

Opportunities available<br />

Summer<br />

Internships<br />

What you need to know<br />

Industry Focus:<br />

IT Software<br />

Short-term<br />

Insights<br />

Number of<br />

Vacancies: 10<br />

Roles Recruiting Into: Marketing, Sales,<br />

Technical Support, Web Developer, Solutions<br />

Developer<br />

Locations: Stokenchurch<br />

Salary & Benefits: £15,613 (13 months), 21 days<br />

holiday + bank holidays, comprehensive training<br />

and development plan and social events<br />

How to apply<br />

Entry Requirements: Predicted 2:1<br />

Application Process: CV & Cover Letter, Test<br />

(Technical Applications) Telephone Interview,<br />

Assessment Centre<br />

ProspectSoft is a British SME founded<br />

in 2000, offering software to users in<br />

the UK and worldwide. We help SME<br />

businesses improve the efficiency of<br />

their workforce by offering a suite of<br />

cloud based CRM, eCommerce and<br />

eMarketing solutions which integrate to<br />

a company’s accounting system making<br />

valuable customer information available<br />

to all. With all business information in<br />

one place, this leads to efficiency gains,<br />

generating more opportunities and<br />

ultimately more business. Our business<br />

partners include major IT players like<br />

Intel, HP and Microsoft. We specialise in<br />

helping SMEs refine their B2B processes,<br />

as our integrated systems can be tailored<br />

to their individual needs.<br />

ProspectSoft’s placement scheme has<br />

been repeatedly recognised having won<br />

the RMP award for ‘Best SME Placement<br />

Provider’ an incredible 4 times. Students<br />

are integral to our success, therefore<br />

each year we invest heavily in recruiting,<br />

training and developing our placements,<br />

seeing 51% return as full time employees.<br />

fb.me/ProspectSoft<br />

@PS_Placements<br />

240 | RateMyPlacement.co.uk


What Lauren thinks...<br />

Lauren Hines<br />

From<br />

University of Exeter<br />

Studying<br />

Ba Business Management<br />

with Marketing<br />

Position<br />

Marketing Assistant and<br />

Event Coordinator<br />

CLICK HERE TO APPLY<br />

What was the application process like?<br />

<strong>The</strong> interview process is thorough and<br />

personable and consists of an initial<br />

application, a telephone interview<br />

followed by an assessment day. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

have a very friendly and young culture<br />

which made me feel at ease during the<br />

whole process. It was obvious from the<br />

start that they just wanted to get to know<br />

you and wanted you to do well, rather<br />

than putting you under a lot of pressure.<br />

All the tasks in the process were<br />

challenging and engaging, making it very<br />

enjoyable.<br />

“If you are looking for a<br />

placement that offers you vast<br />

and varied responsibility, then<br />

this is the company for you.”<br />

How much responsibility were you<br />

given?<br />

<strong>The</strong> word ‘responsibility’ is always<br />

used when I describe my placement<br />

year to others. If you are looking for a<br />

placement that offers you vast and varied<br />

responsibility, then this is the company<br />

for you. I am actually shocked with the<br />

amount I have been given this year which<br />

is just fantastic. I have been able to run<br />

and manage a vast array of projects,<br />

enabling me to learn and adapt my skills<br />

which is exactly what I wanted out of my<br />

placement year.<br />

What advice would you give to<br />

someone applying for the role?<br />

Firstly to make sure you do your<br />

research, the interviewer wants to see<br />

your passion so knowing all about<br />

the company and its market is key.<br />

Also remember that they are a lovely<br />

company, they are not trying to trip you<br />

up, so try to relax on your assessment<br />

day as your personality should then<br />

follow naturally. During your placement,<br />

I would really recommend that you throw<br />

yourself into as many different projects as<br />

possible, don’t limit yourself to what your<br />

job roles states, otherwise you won’t get<br />

the maximum out of your year. Finally,<br />

always ask questions!<br />

What has been your biggest<br />

challenge?<br />

Being someone who wouldn’t particularly<br />

describe themselves as ‘tech savvy’,<br />

I think my biggest challenge this year<br />

has been adapting and learning all the<br />

technical terminology and technical<br />

systems, as quickly as possible. Having<br />

said that, ProspectSoft do a terrific job<br />

when training their placements to ensure<br />

you learn as much about the systems in<br />

the shortest time possible.<br />

@RateMyPlacement I enjoyed every<br />

second of my placement at @ProspectSoft.<br />

It was challenging, insightful & above all so<br />

much fun! #PSFutures<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Undergraduate <strong>Employers</strong> | 241


WINNERS<br />

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Brought to you by the company behind<br />

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Winners included Ben Kosky from Microsoft, who<br />

took home the title for Best Placement Student<br />

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role hugely improved my<br />

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at ibm.com/trademark. Other product and service names might be trademarks of IBM or other companies. ©International Business Machines Corp. <strong>2016</strong>.<br />

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