Materials Development Intern Review

Item: Materials Development Intern at Gymshark
Rating: 4.6
Author: Anonymous

at Gymshark

Placement (10 Months+)

Fashion Design

Solihull

Review Submitted: September 2021

Overall Rating

4.6 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

5/5 - Overview of Role

4.5/5 - Skills Development

5/5 - Support and Guidance

4.3/5 - Company Culture

5/5 - Overall Experience

5/5 - Future Career Prospects

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.

* Colour assessment of lab dyes, trims and print strike offs.
* Creating and maintaining both online and physical filing systems.
* Supporting during the development of new fabrics and trims.
* Communication with suppliers worldwide to maintain deadlines.
* Collaborative work with the Development, Design and Buying teams.
* Admin Support

Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?

Yes, at the time the materials team was only just being established, and due to further staff shortages by the end I was responsible for approving and rejecting all lab dyes.

Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was

5/5

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?

* How to assess lab dyes and the correct terminology that should be used, how to judge what is commercial.
* Correct etiquette when communicating/meeting suppliers.
* How the materials team fits in with the overall product process and the impact each person's actions have.
* The full process of how a product goes from concept to customer.
* Fabric knowledge.
* Fabric Testing - knowledge of process and commercial standards

How would you rate the training provided during your experience?

4/5

How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?

5/5

How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?

4/5

Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development

5/5

Support and Guidance

How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?

My manager gave me great guidance despite having a huge workload himself, and I always felt I could ask if I was struggling/didn't understand with anything. The wider product team were always happy to explain what they were doing, and to help in any way they could, I couldn't have asked for a more supportive team!

How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?

5/5

How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?

5/5

Company Culture

What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?

The culture I am sure must be unrivalled, and I felt part of the Gymshark family from the very first week. Everyone speaks to everyone and is really friendly, and there is very little attention paid to hierarchy. I felt my opinion was just as valid as permanent members of staff, and I was always listened to.

How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?

5/5

How would you rate the social opportunities?

4/5

How would you rate the diversity initiatives?

4/5

How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?

4/5

Overall Experience

To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?

I absolutely loved my placement year, so much that I didn't leave! I felt that I'd learnt so much more than I ever had at uni, and I loved working life. I always felt very happy and I got on very well with the people I worked with.