Name: Carla Galloway
Job Title: HR Placement Student
Recruitment Function: Human Resources
Degree Course: BA (Hons) Business Studies and Human Resources Management
University Attended: Sheffield Hallam University
Current Business Unit: Corus Engineering Steels
Location: Rotherham
Joined Corus: June 2007

Why did you choose to work for Corus?

I always thought I would get more from a placement in a larger International company as it would give me a chance to meet lots of new people and see many different sides to the business. Originally I had not really heard of Corus, it was only after attending several evening presentations and a skills session that prompted me to look on the company website. I was attracted by the placement package and how Corus appeared to really care for the needs of their employees.  Also Corus sees HR as its driver for the business and it appealed to me how much HR was needed to run the company.

What does your current role involve?

My role has primarily been based around recruitment to date. I have arranged and helped manage several assessment centres as well as two induction events for the 2007 intake. I will also be helping to recruit this year’s new intake of placement and graduate students. This started in November 2007 when I assessed at a two-day event to recruit Technical and Engineering Graduates. I will shortly been conducting telephone interviews for all applicants that are progressed on to this stage. I have other daily/monthly and weekly tasks. I monitor the time and attendance for all placements and graduates across the site. I also produce a long-term sick report every two weeks to submit to the HR Director and Managers. I attend team meetings at the other Long Products sites, which include Teesside and Scunthorpe.

Corus is highly committed to actively help the surrounding communities and other activities that I have been involved in was the Corus Engineering Steels community challenge which involved renovating a community centre in Barnsley and making it more easily accessible and user friendly for the local people. I also presented at the open evening of this event.

What training have you received since joining Corus?

I have been surprised by the amount of training that I have received whilst being on placement. It has all been extremely useful for my development and to help me perform effectively in the workplace. I have received telephone Interview training and have attended an assessment centre training course and the Graduate Co-ordinator skills training course. I have also learnt how to use the Application Tracking System, which I became quite familiar with when applying for the job and now I can control it from the other side. I am due to go on a professional trainers course, which I have asked to go on and hope to bring back ideas for the company.

Please describe development opportunities you have had since joining Corus?

I have been on many courses, which have benefited the company as I am able to do my job effectively but I have also learnt skills for life, which will benefit me throughout my career. I am now more confident with speaking to all types of people. I recently asked my manager for a six-month review and we went through things that I was good at and areas for improvement, which has helped me develop myself, further. Also being away from university has opened my eyes to what it’s like to work full time and be responsible for my own workload and tasks.

What are your future career aspirations?

I hope to be sponsored by Corus and return to work for Corus Engineering Steels upon Graduation. I really enjoy the work that I do and I get on really well with the people I work with and feel I have fitted in well. The location is convenient for me also. I see that I can progress with Corus and there are endless opportunities within the company to work across different business units if I wish to. I also see that Corus has a passion for its people and this appeals to me. Throughout the rest of my placement I hope to gain an insight into the other areas of HR so I can then decide which area I would like to go into. Long Term I would hope to become a HR advisor and be responsible for my own areas on site.

Do you have any hints/tips/advice you would give to someone applying to Corus:

Although not essential I have found being able to drive extremely useful. I have been to Leamington Spa, Scunthorpe, Teesside and the independence of being able to get to these places by myself has been invaluable.

I would say that you only get out of a placement what you put in. You have many responsibilities and are trusted with many tasks so you need to be up for a challenge and willing to work hard and sometimes going that extra mile to get a task done.

Its not all about the work either, I have been on nights out with the placements and graduates outside of work and I feel this work life balance is important.

Tell us something about your business unit location:

The Corus site is Rotherham is in a great location as it is close to Rotherham and Sheffield City Centre. Many of the Graduates and those placements that are away from home live in Sheffield and there is a great nightlife. There are great bars along Ecclesall Road and West Street. It is also close to Meadowhall shopping centre, Sheffield Arena and Valley Centertainment which has a cinema, bowling alley and lots of restaurants.