Industrial Placement Chemist Review

Thoroughly enjoyed my placement with EDF Energy. A nuclear power station is an exciting environment to work in, where no day at work is the same. I got to experience lots of things I never thought I'd see, and do lots of new things.

I fit into my team very quickly, and was valued like any other member. We also socialised outside of work.

I wasn't given much support by my manager, who was very busy a lot of the time. However, I had excellent support from my team leader, who was a constant point of contact, and gave me excellent personal feedback.

At the start of the placement I wasn't very busy because there was a lot that I needed to learn before I could work independently. However, once I had gained responsibilities and started my project I was very busy, which I enjoyed. Some days I was too busy, but my team were always there to support me if I was struggling.

Within 2 or 3 weeks of my placement commencing I was responsible for my own systems in the plant, and able to go into the station and complete analysis on my own. The nature of the work environment means that technicians can only have so much responsibility, as most decisions are made by team leaders. But as a placement student I felt that I had a good amount of responsibility and that I was trusted by my team members and supervisors.

My personal skills developed a lot over the course of my placement, and I have found when applying for graduate careers these transferrable skills are very useful. I also gained a lot of laboratory experience using analytical techniques, and guiding my own work when I completed my project. This has helped me in my final year project, where I have been able to pick up new techniques quickly, and lead my own work effectively.

I was part of a friendly, young team and the atmosphere was very fun, but serious when considering work. Not saying 10 because there was some politics in the department with regards to certain individuals not performing their job to a good standard.

Fairly well organised. My manager was not very organised and that was the main problem.

Went to most training sessions run throughout the year, and completed mentoring programme.

Prospects are good as most grad places are taken internally so if you are completing a placement with them you have an advantage. I personally was not successful in obtaining a place on the scheme because they didn't have enough roles for candidates.

No other placement students, but my colleagues were social and we sometimes socialised outside of work.

Lancaster, where I was based, was very cheap compared to Bath, where I am completing my undergraduate degree.

Student city, so a pretty good nightlife during term.

Able to join Lancaster University societies, and met a lot of people through these. Lake District, Manchester, and Scotland easy to visit on weekends.