Communications Review

It's probably the best job ever, more than I could have ever imagined it would be. The company is amazing, the work-life balance and flexi-hours are awesome. the facilities are second to none (who else has a gym, hair salon, florist, dry cleaning service, airport transfer service, Costa etc in their building? I also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to attend charity galas where I really made emotional connections to what the company stands for. (oh and yes Prince Harry has been within 10 cm of me)

My colleagues were helpful and we really enjoyed loads of team nights out together. My team was relatively young (25-40) so it was always easy to get along with them. One thing I must warn is that you should 'get over' the idea of being given a gold star for every great thing you do or simply doing your job.

I had a weekly catch up session with my manager for an hour where we would chat about life, work and my development objectives. My manager paid for me to go on a writing course that I really wanted to go on and she's even helped me secure a week's 'mini placement' at one of our ad agencies that we partner with. The seating at work is open plan seating so my manager was easily accessible, she was literally a whisper away from me and always ready to help.

At first it was pretty slow (loads of induction stuff) but once I knew what was happening and trust was established- things literally picked up drastically. (Warning, finishing at 5 on the dot is a myth sorry). The work-life balance is good though so you can flexibly set your hours as long as you get the work done. Oh and depending on your specific team- working from home is an occasional treat.

Quite a lot of responsibility actually and the hardest thing for me was learning to manage my own time. Your managers will treat you like an adult and won't micro manage your time for you HOWEVER when the deadlines are here- it's time to deliver. There are highly skilled and efficient people who work at the company so you have to do your best to deliver results and do them to the best of your ability because expectations are high.

Discipline is the biggest thing I've learned from placement. I've learned to discipline and motivate myself to work hard and now that I've had a taste of what it's like to work with the best of the best- I am motivated more than ever to do well in my degree so that I can come back. The experience has also given me a disso topic thank goodness! I've learned loads of personal skills too. Diplomacy, business conduct, networking etc. I do not regret for a moment going for a full year's placement.

Energetic (there is always cake- so beware of your waistline my friends)..It's open plan and contrary to popular belief it isn't formal wear here. Never see a full suit worn here lol. Casual fridays are great too, yes you can wear jeans on Fridays, Line managers don't have separate offices so your manager is there whenever you need them. The offices are lovely and well decorated and all have fitted kitchens. (the taps even produce sparkling water- can you imagine? lol) I'm actually writing this from the couches in the kitchen by the big screen telly.

SUPER ORGANISED. From the day you arrived, everything has been planned for you. From your induction, one on one's with every single member of your team to interactions with our well connected placement students society- everything screams organisation.

I went on training courses, mini placements, department rotations, online courses, had 2 mentors and joined so many great societies like the Women's League Initiative. The development opportunities are available but you MUST take initiative to speak up and ask for what you want.

NOTHING will stop me from pursuing a future at GSK. A combination of the work life, talent and company values has really made we want to come back to the company. Around February before the placement ends, the placement students get an opportunity to apply early for the graduate future leader's programme before it is opened up to the public. Warning- it is HIGHLY competitive. It is no exaggeration when they say that they take the best of the best talent.

Amazing, our placement society 'IP Unite' organised loads of social activities for us to take part in. My personal advice would be to really break out of your shell and meet people before everyone floats off into their mini cliques. Don't be shy!

I was based at the head office in Brentford, very cheap because it's in the outskirts of London. I lived in central London though because i'm a city girl haha. Brentford did not appeal to me because the social scene isn't really lively there and getting into central London is a hassle from there. IP's if you're lsitening, I would STONGLY suggest living in Ealing Broadway (there is a bus directly to GSK from there) or Acton Town- since they are cheap but accessible. (There is a shuttle service for employees from Northfields on the Piccadilly line to GSK House and if you are okay with spending £26 a week on zone 1-3 travelcards it's worth it) Trust me on this one, living in Brentford might seem appealing cause it's close to work- but if you want to get the most out of your experience in London then i'd suggest living closer in to central.

Brentford has no nightlife after pub with the colleagues.

There are loads of societies and charity initiatives to get involved with. The charity work abroad is reserved for full-time employees though!