Placement Year Review at GlaxoSmithKline

The Role

Role Description

Analysing data for scientists and giving feedback through meetings via reports and presentations. Also giving scientists advice on how to analyse their own data and how to improve experiments.
I would help my colleagues with their workload and analyse data for them for scientists. In meetings I would sometimes feedback on work I have participated in.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I really enjoyed my placement which has made me realise that this is what I want to do after I graduate. To become a statistician.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I felt valued by my colleagues.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was given a lot of support from my department. They were always helpful and took time to help me with queries even though they were busy themselves.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

On some days, I was not very busy but most of the days I was busy doing work for scientists and my colleagues.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I was given a good amount of responsibility duriny my placement. I've been given independent projects and have had scientists come to me for help.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The skills that I have learnt duriny my placement will help me in my degree and future career. I have learnt about using SAS Software and can interact confidently with many people, i.e. colleagues, scientists and students.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The atmosphere in the office was really nice and friendly. Even though a lot of work had to be done colleagues were always smiling and enjoying their responsibilities.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

My work placement was very well organised. I learnt so many things duirng my placement and was never short of help from my colleagues who were very easy to talk to.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I learnt how to use SAS, Array Studio and Statistica. My colleagues always made sure that I understood what I needed to do and would always ask if I needed any help.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

• 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 10/10

My colleagues made it very appealing to work for the company. They always tell me that they enjoy their job and it has made me want to achieve this as a career in the future.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Yes, there was.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

It was ok, but better if you had two or three more housemates then the rent would have been cheaper.

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

The nightlife in Stevenage wasn't that great. It is quite quiet at times.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

I'm not sure about the activities outside of work because in my opinion Stevenage is a pretty quiet area. It's not like London but getting back to London took only 20 minutes so me and friends would go down to London and go to restaurants there.

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

Working at GlaxoSmithKline was a very good opportunity for me. I have learnt so much and have received very good feedback about the work I have done. In my opinion, the more effort you put into your placement the more you will receive from your colleagues such as great feedback and a starting network for when you graduate.

Review 231/231 for GlaxoSmithKline

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