Starting an internship or a placement in a corporate environment is a new experience for many of us and it may be hard to adjust at first. However once you have settled in, here are 8 ways to get the most out of your time in the business.
1. Network as much as possible.
Network. Network. Network. That’s a key buzz word you will be hearing throughout your time at the company. Take every opportunity to network, whether that’s going to internal or external events or joining in extra activities in and around the workplace. Throughout my year at Enterprise, a range of events have been organised internally and externally, some of these include:
- LGBTQ Forum
- In Pursuit
- Enterprise at Pride
- LGBTQ Coffee Morning
- Range of charity days
- Awards evenings
- Enterprising Women’s International Women’s Day
- Internal Careers Fair
- Cake day every month!
- And so many more!
These are all events where you are able to meet and network with a variety of people who may not be in your team or department. If you want to come back to the company after you graduate, meeting a range of people is vital! Plus, it makes your year so much more enjoyable! So go up to people, add them on LinkedIn and ask plenty of questions! Oh and that leads me into…
2. Ask lots and lots of questions
You are on your placement to learn, whether that’s how to act in a corporate environment, to gain experience in your role or to develop a range of skills, you will only achieve these goals if you ask questions. If you don’t understand something; are finding something difficult or need assistance, then just ask! Your manager, team and anyone appointed as your mentor are there for that reason.
3. Develop your skills and abilities
Having a placement with a company which invests into its employees is super important for your year in industry. Make sure you are aware of all your opportunities for learning, development and mentoring throughout the duration of your year. At Enterprise, each and every employee receives personal development meetings every two months. All employees also have the option to be partnered up with a mentor within the company. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and your manager will aim to set you goals to ensure these are developed.
4. Try out new things
Whether you have secured a placement in HR, Sales, Accounting or any other department, Enterprise is a company which encourages people to move around. So don’t be afraid to ask to work shadow a different department. New starters at Enterprise are also encouraged to do one week in a rental branch of their choice!
5. Get involved as much as possible
As graduates in this day and age, we are required to have acquired lot of professional experience and skills before even graduating, which is why it is vital to take every opportunity you get given within your placement year. Aside from saying “yes” to opportunities, ensure that you actively seek them. Ask to get involved in projects, volunteer for project managing extra- curricular and most importantly don’t be scared to try something new and outside of your comfort zone.
As a company, Enterprise is passionate to strengthen the communities that it is in, to provide a fun and friendly place for its employees to work and to always keep its doors open to diversity and inclusion. These values are the reason that the company provides so many opportunities for employees to participate and make a change in an area that they may be passionate in. This has resulted to a number of social groups and committees to be formed throughout the company, including:
- Charity Committee
- Wellness Committee
- Diversity Committee
- Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Committee
- BOSS Group
- Enterprising Women
- DRIVE magazine
- Arts and Crafts Club
- Baking Society
- Coding Club
- Running Club
- Movie Club
As an intern at Enterprise’s European head office, and with the range of opportunities that were available to me, I quickly wanted to be involved in a wide range of things outside of my role. Within my first couple weeks I had already drafted a cover letter to go out to the chairs of the charity committee and enquired about becoming an editor for DRIVE magazine. Taking on these roles allowed me to be exposed to opportunities that I would not have received in my daily role. This included; going to charity events, running our departments charity day and building relationships with individual charities, helping develop a rebrand for our committee and writing an article for a magazine that went out to all of our branches. Which brings me onto my next objective during your time on a placement…
6. Don’t waste any time and achieve the goals you set yourself
You may hear this from a number of people as you start your placement, but coming from someone who has lived it, believe it, your placement year will go extremely fast. Make sure you set yourself personal goals with achievable and realistic time frames. You want to develop your attributes as much as you can this year so make sure you’re keeping a diary of your development as you can use this as examples in interviews after you graduate.
7. Start your university work early on
I know how difficult it is starting a project that is due in a year’s time immediately, however getting your university work done early and spreading it throughout the year of your placement will save you a lot of last minute hassle. Make sure your tutor and manager are on board with your university work and see whether taking out an hour or two per week to finish it is possible.
8. Most importantly have fun!
Yes, you are in a working environment and yes you will have plenty of work to do, however the most important objective you should set yourself for this year is to have fun! Enterprise is a fun and friendly place to work where we do work hard but also reward hard work. The range of cake days, intern events and other events hosted throughout the company will ensure you have a great year.
If you’re interested in joining Enterprise for a fun year that will put ahead of the competition when you graduate, browse our website for placement opportunities. Our graduate roles are now open too, click here to explore more.
