chemical synthesis placement student Review

I enjoyed the placement very much. It gave me good insights into the industry and allowed me to spend a lot of time in the laboratory.

I became good friends with my colleagues and everyone was nice and approachable. It made the experience much more enjoyable and relaxed knowing that there were people willing to help out.

There was a lot of support during the daily work, with the opportunity to chat to my supervisor and ask questions. Morning meetings provided guidance through out the week which was helpful.

I was very busy on a daily basis but never more than was manageable. I was rarely bored with a good balance between lab and office work.

I was responsible for carrying out my own experiments which were coordinated by my supervisor, working to a schedule, purchasing chemicals, following COSHH and maintaining records. I feel that there was a good balance between what I was responsible for and what was not expected of me,

The job allowed me to develop communication skills by doing presentations as well as through daily interactions with colleagues. Time management and planning skills were also frequently tested.

When I was working in the office with the other students there was a very good atmosphere. There were plenty of laughs which provided a relaxed and positive working environment which made for a very enjoyable experience.

The placement was well organised with clearly defined projects and expectations which made the placement run smoothly.

The company gave me plenty of opportunities to develop skills and experiences that would be valuable to future employers.

I would love to work for this organisation again in the future if the opportunity arose.

There was lots to do and lots of students with similar interests. Nights out, gatherings and BBQ's were a common feature which made the experience very enjoyable.

The cost of living and socialising were very reasonable.

I have experienced better nightlife as Derby has few bars and night clubs, but there were plenty of very nice restaurants and pubs in the area. On the whole the nightlife was good.

There were many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work but I often chose not to take part due to time restrictions balancing work and university.