Well I'm two months into my placement now and it's very different to my last. I am currently working on producing a half day training course on a new out of hours tool that has been developed to help Treatment Team Leaders get to the root cause problem of why operators are getting called out so that the issue can be solved. I have been working on the spreadsheet and I am now putting together the training session which I will be presenting. I am also managing a project for a site in Bradford that is having issues getting sludge to the tankers and trying to find a workable solution. This is an interesting project as it means working with internal and external suppliers, such as the tankering team, electricians and contractors.

As well as this I am also supporting the Treatment Team Leader for Huddersfield, this involves dealing with day to day enquiries, completing compliance reports, analysing results for ammonia and turbidity that are sent through by operators from samples and being part of an E&M project which is trialling a new way of working. 

As well as the day job I have had some really fun days helping out at the graduate screening days and assessment centres and even being able to join the production candidates at their evening meal during the assessment centre. I have also done some work for WaterAid for Water Awareness Week, and have just started preparations to organise the annual WaterAid ball.

On top of all of this I have also had my first formal review with my sponsoring manager which went really well and gave me a chance to show what I have learnt and how I have developed. It was a great opportunity to have some 1:1 coaching and gave me good direction for the next few months.

I have had a busy but great few months, and when I reflect on where I have got to and what I have achieved since September, I feel pretty proud, and am now looking forward to what the next 6 months will entail!

Catherine

So I'm in my first week of my second placement! I can't believe time has gone so fast.

My mini placements in finance, reporting and HR went well last month. It gave me a good insight into the business and made me a lot more aware of the work going on in other sectors of the business. One of the highlights of the week was conducting phone interviews for a new role within the business. This gave me a great opportunity to see how the process works from the other side and the amount of time and effort that goes in to recruiting the right individual. 

My second placement is shaping up really well, I have met the team that I will be part of for the next three months and everyone has been friendly and helpful and very understanding of my poor map reading skills! I have spent time this week understanding the waste water treatment process and am now starting to go out with the operators and doing the daily tasks that they do and understand the reality of the treatment world. Along side this I am also contributing to some of the projects planned to drive progress forward so that we met the goals and aims that we have over the next few years. 

Hopefully I'll be able to give you a bit more detail of the projects I'll be involved in in my next blog!!

Catherine

Hi me again!

I have finished my first placement! I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I've finished or handed over all the work I have been doing over the past few months, I will be presenting my work and observations to my current management team soon. This is a bit scary but I know it will be worthwhile as I can demonstrate what I'm capable of.

At the end of this week I am having my first end of placement review and will find out how I've been doing. I have had a lot of support throughout my placement so there shouldn't be too many surprises! It will be good to get some feedback in preparation for my next placement so that I can improve.

I think the hardest part of the past few months for me has been settling into office life. Being on the phone in an open plan office or presenting information to senior management whether it is in a formal or informal environment are unnerving at first but my confidence is constantly growing and I am still trying to throw myself into stretching situations to keep on improving!

My next placement involves a few mini placements in areas of the company such as HR, reporting and finance. These mini placements will hopefully give me a better idea of what happens in other areas of the business and help me understand the effect of my work on them and vice versa!

Until next time, Bye!
 
Catherine

As it's getting into December now I'm starting to think about Christmas and the end of my placement. I'm aiming to complete all of my work before the end of my placement so got a lot of lists on the go so I don't forget anything!

I've been reviewing a lot of procedures over the course of my placement and now trying to implement some of that into the business. I've really enjoyed this placement as it has stretched me and I feel like I have accomplished a significant amount in the three months I have been here.

I have also done a lot of personal development, I have met with my sponsor and worked on a few of my weaknesses and have also met with my sponsoring manager. In the next month I am going to start working on my personal development folder and learning log so it is all up to date and ready for my periodic review which will take place in early January.

Catherine

Hey Everyone!

It's my seventh week in the company now and I have already started my personal development. We had a two day course in assertiveness last week which was really helpful and focused on areas that each individual needed to develop. I also went to innovation day yesterday which was organised by the Institute of Water between United Utilities, Northumberland Water and Yorkshire Water. It was great to see some of the new ideas that the company's have and the different solution each company has come up with for the same problem.

In relation to work I have enough to stretch me and keep me busy through the day and it is giving me the opportunity to network throughout the company making links that will be valuable throughout my career. I see the other graduates not only from my year but the years above regularly. We meet up frequently to chat about what's happening in our placements and provides a good support network. That's the great thing I've found so far, there's always someone around to talk to and ask advice!

Catherine