Analytical Scientist Review

I really enjoyed my placement year and will be sad to leave at the end of the year. I have had the chance to learn a lot and work with some great people.

I felt very valued as a member of the team, and was treated equally with respect to opportunities. All new starters, whether summer students or new full time staff were treated equally.

I was given good support during my time at AstraZeneca. I had a personal supervisor who was on hand to help with any issues that arose regarding day to day work and my university studies forming part of the placement year. My manager was also very helpful in guiding any queries I had.

Very busy! Although it was manageable as team members were supportive and were on help to lend a hand.

We were granted similar responsibilities to the graduate scientists.

I have been coached in a large variety of analytical chemistry techniques which will be beneficial as it will open doors to jobs asking for skills in a range of techniques. I believe it has also helped me gain confidence in the profession and in my transferable skills.

My team were a lovely group of people. The atmosphere was welcoming and fun, and I was never afraid to ask people questions. Although everyone worked very hard and were busy, people always made time for one another.

The scheme is well organised and involved a detailed training month at the beginning of the year to get everyone up to grips. I always knew were to go to ask questions. However, as we were not paid by the company itself, dealings with the recruitment company (bank holidays, sick leave) could sometimes be a little difficult

Students were given roughly the same devotion to personal development as full time members of staff. If we wanted training in a certain area, it was rare to be turned away.

I would be happy to work there in the future.

There was a good social scene - socials with colleagues were great but not that frequent. The students maintained a good social life and had lunch together every day, however we were often busy with university work at weekends.

The area was cheap. There is enough to do in Macclesfield (cinema, pubs etc) but there is not the social scene of a bigger city. However, Manchester is only a short train ride away.

Some decent pubs, but not much in the way of clubs. If you like quiet nights with a few beers it is fine, but lacking in bars with alternatives.

Lots of sports clubs affiliated with work, and a choir. Big enough town that most activities could be found somewhere - or definitely in Manchester which is close.