Risk and Assurance Placement Student Review

During my placement, I primarily worked with the Internal Audit Team, supporting the Internal Audit Manager in conducting and delivering audits. The workload varied depending on the audit, so no two days were exactly the same. I also assisted the Data Protection Team with a range of tasks, most commonly supporting personal data requests such as subject access and erasure requests. Additionally, I supported the Group Insurance Senior Manager by raising purchase orders (POs) for insurance and helping with the creation and reformatting of insurance forms.

Yes, I was given a lot of responsibility, and the teams I worked with trusted me to take ownership of the work I did. I felt that my team really valued my contributions and opinions. I also had the opportunity to lead audits and even deliver training to colleagues across the business.

This year has really helped me grow, both professionally and personally. In my role, I often had to reach out to people across the country, which has improved my confidence and communication skills. My Excel skills have also come a long way, I have picked up lots of useful shortcuts that save time and make tasks easier. I also feel more confident when presenting and have developed a stronger sense of professionalism, including office and business etiquette.

I received a lot of support throughout my placement. The Early Careers team was always available to help with any general issues or placement-related questions. I had weekly catch-ups with my line manager, who consistently provided guidance and support whenever I needed it. My wider team was also very supportive; I felt comfortable approaching anyone in the Risk and Assurance department with questions, as everyone was open and always willing to help.

I really loved the culture at Unite. Everyone was always willing to learn and take accountability - no one acted like they knew everything. I especially liked the new value of "challenge the ordinary" because I feel like most people tend to stick with what they’re comfortable with, but at Unite, you’re encouraged to question old beliefs and processes. This creates opportunities for new ideas to be discovered. Overall, everyone was very friendly, which made the atmosphere welcoming and enjoyable.

It was a great experience! I definitely grew a lot during my time at Unite. The variety of tasks and the supportive team made it both challenging and rewarding. There were also many opportunities outside of my day-to-day role that I managed to get involved in. Overall, it was a valuable experience that I’m really grateful for.

Yes