Project Coordinator Industrial Placement Review

I support the governance and coordination of Teams meetings within a PMO function for a key account. My responsibilities vary depending on the needs of each meeting, often requiring me to take on multiple roles. My primary focus is on financial oversight and management, where I work closely with an experienced Programme Manager. I’m trusted with a high degree of autonomy, allowing me to approach tasks creatively and strategically to deliver effective outcomes.

I was genuinely impressed by the level of autonomy I was given during my placement. Being entrusted with managing elements of the programme’s financials—especially given the significant costs involved—was both surprising and empowering. At first, I couldn’t quite believe the level of responsibility I was being given. But knowing that such trust had been placed in me really motivated me to work diligently and prove that the confidence in me was well deserved

I have learnt:
Project Governance & Coordination: Gained hands-on experience supporting project governance activities
Financial Management: Developed strong financial acumen by assisting in budget tracking, forecasting, and financial reporting for a major account.
Stakeholder Communication: Built confidence in communicating with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders, adapting messaging based on audience and context.
Analytical Thinking: Applied critical thinking to interpret financial data and project metrics, contributing to informed decision-making.
Autonomous Working: Trusted with a high level of independence to manage tasks, identify process improvements, and deliver outcomes efficiently.
Adaptability: Took on multiple roles within meetings and project activities, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive approach to shifting priorities

During my placement, I received a great deal of support—initially from the members of my sector team, and later from colleagues on my account who had been aligned with it for a long time. The attitude within the account team was incredibly personal and supportive. They understood that the more effectively I learned to do my job, the more value I could bring to the team in the long run, particularly in my area of specialisation.

Computacenter is widely recognised for its strong company culture and positive atmosphere, and I experienced this first-hand throughout my placement. From the outset, I was struck by how supportive and encouraging the employees were. Naturally, in any organisation, you may not connect with everyone, but I found those instances to be extremely rare. The overwhelming majority of people I worked with were genuinely supportive, consistently encouraging me to perform at my best and helping me to achieve that. Even small gestures—like being greeted with a warm 'good morning' by colleagues I hadn’t met before—contributed to a welcoming and uplifting environment that made coming into the office a pleasure.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my placement—it’s been an incredibly valuable experience that’s given me real insight into the working world. It’s not only confirmed my enthusiasm for returning after I finish university, but also helped me grow both personally and professionally. From travelling for work for the first time to living in a new city, the placement has provided me with memorable experiences that have shaped my perspective. Most importantly, it’s helped me mature and gain a clearer understanding of what life after university will be like.

Yes