Meet Alex from Finance

Why did you decide to apply for a placement at PepsiCo?

To start with, I was looking on the websites of the companies I was interested. It was when I visited PepsiCo for my interview made me realise I wanted to work here. There was a really friendly atmosphere, everyone was really nice and the roles seemed a lot more interesting than any of the others I'd looked at.

How well do you get on with your fellow students, and how important have they been to you settling in at PepsiCo?

I'm getting on really well! I live with two of the other students, Hayley and Sam, we all met on the induction day and were all in the same situation (moving to Reading and not knowing anyone). We all get on really well with the others as well!

What does your typical day at PepsiCo involve?

It changes every day! That's one of the main reasons why I really enjoy it. I come in about 8.30am and it completely depends! The only structure I really have is at period end at the moment, where we have a structured week where all the journals have to be posted – but apart from that it completely varies.

What's the best thing about working at PepsiCo?

Probably the flexibility? The ability to work from home is really great – I'm from York so if I want to go home for the weekend if I wasn't able to work from home there wouldn't be much point in actually going! PepsiCo really care about your work/ life balance too which is really great.

What's the worst thing about working at PepsiCo?

I don't actually know! I honestly can't think of anything.

Had you heard of PepsiCo before you applied for a student placement?

I think I'm the same as everyone else; I knew all the separate brands but I didn't know PepsiCo owned the separate brands. So I guess the answer is no!

What was the application process like?

In comparison to other ones, it wasn't as bad! The online bit (filling in your details, two short questions and uploading your CV) was quite easy. The rest of it, the interview and assessment was like any other – a lot more friendly though!

Have you got any advice for potential applicants for next year's student placements?

Definitely answer the two short questions well! I thought they'd look at your CV first, but they look at the questions first and then filter applicants by their answers.

How would you sum up working at PepsiCo?

It's quite fun, challenging and interesting. The placement varies so it's really exciting!