Student Review

It was amazing to see the work that the biophysicists were doing in a workplace that I believed was solely made up of physicists. I really enjoyed having a look around the labs and finding out more about how the biophysicists collaborate with the physicists to achieve mutual goals. Their work was very interesting and inspiring.

I could only gain access to the company for a couple of days and was therefore unable to build relationships with many of the team there. I was however introduced to some individuals in different departments who made me feel very welcome, despite my short stay. Given a longer placement there, I am confident that I would have been made to feel very valued.

I had at least one member of staff supporting or supervising me at all times throughout this insight. There was always someone to ask questions of, and occasionally more than one. Any work that I was expected to do, I had someone demonstrate to me, and then wait with me to guide me through the entire process, answering my questions, and giving me reasons for why things were done in specific ways.

Despite the brevity of my time at the National Physical Laboratory, I had the opportunity to develop some core skills which have been very useful to me since then. Gaining access to state of the art technology allowed me to practise with equipment more similar to that which I would go on to encounter at university, and other work placements.

Although there was no written structure to the insight, travelling between departments and labs seemed to flow naturally. Once one task was completed, we would move seamlessly into the next task, allowing a great deal of flexibility in the insight opportunity. This also meant that my supervisor was able to tailor the insight opportunity to my specific interests.

I was made to feel very welcome, and had every question answered. I feel that people went out of their way to ensure that I had the greatest opportunity to enhance my understanding of my areas of interest, matched with opportunities to develop my of practical skills. The insight I gained into the way in which a large scientific company works was invaluable.

Due to the short nature of the insight experience, there was not much opportunity for the company to invest in me. Relative to the time I was able to spend there, I feel that their investment was given to an appropriate level. A large amount of time was taken to supervise me and answer any questions that I had, as well as demonstrating various techniques, and how various pieces of equipment worked.

This insight helped me to gain a relatively basic understanding of what it would be like to have a full time role within this company. Due to the fact that biologists are in the minority within this company anyway, the individual whom I spent the majority of my time with did not have a typical role within the company. I did however gain an understanding of that type of industry, enabling me to make future decisions based on this insight.

This insight helped me to gain a relatively basic understanding of the company culture. Due to the fact that biologists are in the minority within this company, the insight that I had of the company culture was probably not typical of the company culture throughout the company as a whole. Also, due to the short nature of the insight, I did not have much opportunity to gain a feel for the company as a whole.

Despite the fact that this insight opportunity was particularly short in nature, it was disproportionately helpful in guiding me in my decisions for my future career. The insight into the life of a research scientist was particularly helpful. It may be true however that I had already formed a fairly good idea of what I wanted to do in the future, and this insight opportunity just confirmed that. This insight gave me an opportunity to confirm or deny many of my preconceptions.

I did not ask to be paid or reimbursed due to the fact that this was a very short insight experience. This was also at a company relatively close to where I lived, which allowed me to cycle into work and home every day with relative ease. Due to the fact that I do not feel that I contributed much to the company, it would have felt unethical for me to have accepted any payment.

Once again, due to the short nature of the insight opportunity, there was not much time available for networking. I did not go into the company with aims to carry out networking however, because I knew beforehand that I would not be around for long. If I had requested to be introduced to particular individuals however, I do not doubt that arrangements would have been made to enable me to meet these individuals.

Once again, due to the short nature of the insight opportunity, I was not present for any networking or social event opportunities. This was not a disappointment to me, because I did not go into the company with any expectations or aims to carry out any networking. Had there been any networking opportunities during my insight, I feel confident that I would have been invited.

I did not find out about any activities that employees can get involved in outside of work. I do not doubt that I could have gained this information if I had asked for it, but due to the fact that I was fairly confident that I would not be returning to the company, I did not think it necessary to ask.

I would definitely recommend this insight opportunity to a friend. I would have loved to have spent longer there, and would love to return. Due to the fact that this company is relatively difficult to gain an insight opportunity with, and due to the fact that my academic interests have changed direction since then, it is looking less likely that I will try to return there, but I would recommend the experience to anyone who is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take it.