Scientific Student Review

I have become an integrated member of my team with my own responsibly which gives me a real sense of purpose. The office has a really friendly environment which has helped make my time at Baxter even more enjoyable.

With responsibility comes dependence from others, with the jobs I had I felt like I was really contributing to the team, and feel that this was genuinely appreciated by my team.

My manager has been very supportive this year and given praise when it is required but not for every task, which is much more realistic to the workplace, compared to the support you may have received at school and university. They have also allowed me to take up opportunities outside of my department which has helped to enhance the experience on placement

Because of the nature of my job there were days were I was the only one on the team, which were very busy, sometimes overwhelming, but then days were I had little to do, but these were useful to catch up on developmental things and think about the accompanying university work.

I was given responsibility to answer enquiries, from the research to speaking to the customer. I also ran some training workshops for other colleagues, which put me in the position of the "subject expert" which really helps to test how much you know.

Communication - I was able to attend a presentation skills workshop, which not only helped while I was at work, but will help in my final year and for any job I have in the future. I was also given the chance to talk to customers on the phone which really enhanced my telephone skills. Networking - this year has really helped with my interpersonal skills, I feel like I could approach anyone in the office now, which was not the case when I started. There have been many many more opportunities to develop personally in this role, I have learnt so much more than I ever could have done in a class room.

There is a really friendly atmosphere in the office, people are easy to approach and talk to. You may find yourself talking to anyone at the coffee machine, your fellow placement students up to the General Manager. Lunch is communal due to the location of the office ( there is no where else to have lunch) so you sit and chat with your teams. There is a social committee who organise fun office events.

There have been changes made to my role while I have been here, but all of them have suited me so has worked well for me. There are 4 other students in the office in different roles and it has been established for 6/7 years now. We have monthly HR meetings to ensure we are all happy with how the placement is going.

We have been given many training opportunities, both role related and personal development. I have a mentor which is in a different department to me so I have been exposed to many more areas of the business which has helped me to make decisions about what I may want to do upon graduation. These have included field visits and attending customer meetings.

Baxter offer a 24 month graduate role, which is only open for applications from the students who have completed a placement year.

Due to the rural location there is less of an opportunity to do things after work. With the close proximity to Reading the students sometimes get together there in the evenings. I have also attended a few team dinners/lunches in local restaurants.

The local area is quite expensive for housing, but there is student accommodation in Reading at a better price.

Compton where the office is located is a small village with a pub, but Reading is close by which has a good nightlife scene.

I have joined a local sports team and a gym, Reading has many opportunities, but I have not lived there on placement so have not be able to make the most of what the city has to offer.