Placement Year Review at Reckitt Benckiser

The Role

Role Description

Worked in New Product Development team. Roles included help with publishing dossiers, attending project meetings, holding teleconferences with markets around the world. In addition also worked creating & submitting variations and renewals to product licences to support compliance

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

A very good experience overall, was exposed to a wide variety of different people at all levels and cultures. Can be stressful, more so than other placements within the same company eg R&D.

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

People within my team treated me as any other member of the team with my experience and knowledge valued as at a much higher level than my "student" status. However I felt some people higher up just saw me as a student and I was not given the same level of respect despite my achievemnts

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Initially had quite a lot of cantact time with managers however this deminished presumably as it was assumed I had the skills required however it would be better to have a little more time

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

It is expected that you stay later than your "paid" hours and work significantly longer especially within the Regulatory department. If you do not it can be seen as not having enough to do if you were to leave on time every day

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was given quite a lot of responsibility quickly going to my first project meeting on my 2nd day and quickly became one of the main regulatory contacts for this project. I eventually became the lead for the project along with other side projects. I was given a lot more responsibility than people with equivalent placements within other functions

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I have received a good overview of regulatory affairs and working within a large company. These skills will help me later on. Marked down due to the placement not applicable to Chemistry specifically so would not assist me in that regard

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Could be very quiet and serious due to the high pressures but at the same time had a good working relationship with team mates and they were always up for a laugh and joke

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Very little organisation for students as this was only the second year, had to organise most things for ourself. From what I have seen it is more organised this year.

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Mostly functional training on systems however also received addtional training (GMP, GCP)

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen
• Subsidised/Company Gym
• Company Parties/Events
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop
• Above 25 days holiday

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Following my degree I would be very interested in a role within the department doing similar work at a more senior level.

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Hull is relatively cheap place to live depending on where you want to live and shop and eat.

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Hull's nightlife is what you make of it. There isn't much choice of clubs but pleanty of pubs and smaller venues for music

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Had to seek it out

Review 22/22 for Reckitt Benckiser

Previous