HR Industrial Trainee Review

I really enjoyed my placement with Pfizer because the role was so varied with lots of responsibility from the beginning. Everyone I worked with within the company was very friendly and approachable. From day one on the job I was exposed to the everyday tasks and also introduced to project work that I would be completing. Over the year I was able to improve, voice my ideas and be heard. Throughout the placement I was supported and learnt so much!

From the very beginning I felt valued. In team meetings I was also asked for my opinion on things and encouraged to give my view. My team worked really well together and I really felt like I was making a difference. I received feedback from colleagues and my team on tasks to aid my learning and development. They created so many opportunities for me!

I received support from my direct manager, my team and any colleagues I worked with. It is a very supportive and friendly place company to work for. The entire HR team welcomed me and supported me throughout the year and have kept in contact since leaving. They are a special team that work so hard, I am so lucky to have been a part of it!

On a daily basis the team and I were always kept busy, largely dependent on the emails we would receive. However, there was always a project to get involved in, either in the wider HR team, or even the business if it was appropriate. As a result of this, I developed my organisational and time management skills to enable me to take part in the project work.

From day one in my placement role I was given responsibility. This ranged from emailing colleagues and external providers to UK business communication and also running the induction process for the year. From this I developed my communication skills and how to be professional at all times. I will be able to build on this and develop these skills further in my career.

The skills I learnt on my placement will be extremely useful in my studies and also my future career. I was exposed to so much in a short amount of time so I learnt so much more than I thought I would. It was a fantastic placement and learnt a lot about myself. I already miss it!

The atmosphere in the office was professional and respectful. There were rooms for you to have meetings in to respect the open plan office and having longer, detailed conversations with colleagues. There was a great sense of camaraderie in the office which was always welcomed because it brought the team together. Many of us would have lunch together from time to time to catch up properly.

The placement opportunities in my role were very well organised. I was lucky enough to visit all sites and spend time getting to know the business which was all organised for me. With any project there will always be challenges to overcome however from the process of applying, to the interview and the placement experience itself was very professional and what I had expected.

When I first started, I had a hand-over period with the previous intern which was really helpful because they had been doing the job that I was about to start for a year already. They had found the best ways of completing tasks and I was able to continue this. After this the team supported me with any questions I had, I was always encouraged to ask questions. Throughout the year I was exposed to current, industry material and had the opportunity to take part in Six Sigma yellow belt training. As a result of the training I was able to bring the new skills I had learnt to the team to help with the projects we had running.

Future employment with Pfizer is very appealing. However since there is no Graduate Scheme and this was my first important HR job, I would love to gain more experience and develop myself further so that in time I would be able to bring something new to the table if I was able to return to the organisation. I thoroughly enjoyed the role because I felt I was making a difference on a daily basis.

The other interns and I were able to have many social events such as visiting a trampoline centre and going out for drinks and dinner. We also took lunch together to catch up and a number of us went to the gym together. We also were able to get to know the other interns at other sites by presenting what we do over video conference to each other which was really effective.

The cost of living and socialising in the area was very reasonable for being in the south of England. However, because the location is close to London there is an increased cost involved with this. However the salary received is reasonable to be able to live and work at the same time in the area.

The night-life in the area that I worked was not very lively. However it is very easy to get to London on the train which has endless opportunities in. The interns were able to spend a few nights out in the local area together for either just drinks or dinner. There are some lovely local pubs nearby that were fantastic and easy to get to from work.

Downstairs in the office I worked in there was a gym which is subsidised for employees which was fantastic. It is easy to get involved with the gym and any activities that occur in the local area are promoted to colleagues (members and non-members). There was also a variety classes that are fantastic and great quality such as spin circuits, boxercise, run club and body pump to name a few.