Finace acedemy student Review

My Current role is based in the BA team at the Lincoln Teal park site. May day-to-day tasks differ greatly, which I love. A project I am currently working on is following the journey of costing Gas turbines. This starts from budgeting and setting standards for an engine, then looking at the launch costs from when the engine is 'launched' into the factory and finally comparing both the Standard cost and launch cost to the final engine cost and analyzing any variances. I am really enjoying my time on this project, being able to see a project right through to the end cycle has really improved my understanding of the needs for different costs and why we need to follow them so closely.

Yes. With this role being only a year, you are expected to pick things up quite quickly. I'd say this role has definitely strengthened my ability to independently analyse data and act upon any variances I find, whether this means phoning someone or having to set up a meeting with the engineers involved to explain these variances. I then have to explain these variances to the end customer - this take a level of professionalism that I have not needed in previous roles. I have enjoyed adopting effective communication in such manner.

I am really enjoying my scheme. With the scheme being rotational I feel like I have benefitted so much from being to move across the country into different Siemens sectors. Learning how each business works and differs individually. I feel like in the long term I will be abel to apply this knowledge I have gained and help me pick a full time role - knowing what to expect and that I will enjoy it.

I do feel valued by Siemens. I am regularly being sent on Internal and External training programmes to extend my knowledge with the firm. I have even been sent on bespoke training courses to my role – including 3 full day on how a Gas Turbine functions. I feel the company understands what its like to work full time and to also study, this is clear though the amount of study leave that is provided for each exam. Just last month I was also given £200 worth of shares for the company – This alone shows that I am a valued employee

As I have already mentioned my scheme is rotational which is defiantly one of a kind. To be given the opportunity to move around into different Siemens sectors, is the biggest selling point of my scheme. I don’t think I would have got the same out of my scheme if I was to be staying in one placement for the whole period.

My training provider is BBP, where I study towards my CIMA qualification. Honestly I do not feel like we get enough support from them as I would like. The recorded sessions online are of a low quality and even when studying in a classroom I feel like the speed of the sessions is too rushed.

I have never had a problem with my employer. I can confidently say that if I felt like I needed to more support with something it would be taken seriously and acted upon quite quickly. On a day to day basis I receive just the right amount of support in terms of helping me to understand the tasks I am doing – yet not micromanaging

Personally, I am happy with the pay. I do not struggle to ‘make ends meet’ and there is plenty of opportunity to better your pay with Exams/performance. Although that being said I think I would have struggling with the starting pay in certain areas (London) and maybe some salaries should be reviewed with location.

Outside of work I have not struggled socially. All the teams I have worked in have been particularly sociable. I think they understand that most of us have moved away from home and straight into the working world and welcome you well. However I seem some team being less social and If you weren’t a confident person I can see how you might feel isolated.

Yes

Yes, I have really enjoyed my time on the scheme and believe other will too. I have although struggled at times with CIMA( Exams ) and would definitely make sure the difficulty of the qualification was understood to anyone I was recommending the scheme too. I do think maybe my employer should increase the minimum a-level grades.

Be yourself. I was surprised when I met the other people on my scheme how different we all were. I think Siemens goes out of its way to see you for who you are. In my interview I was questioned several times on my work experience so I would also say that having solid work experience was a crucial factor