Analytical Chemist Review

I really enjoyed my placement. It was challenging at times and there was a lot to learn intially but once I got to grips with it all it was ver rewarding. I liked the fast paced environment because I was always doing something and was never bored. The people I worked with were all very friendly which made settling in very easy.

My placement in particular was very good as an anlytical chemist because for the majority of the year we just do the same job as the rest of the scientists in the team. This made me feel valued because it didn't take long for me to be trusted with relatively important pieces of work and to take on the same amounts of work as the other members of my team. I was also asked to produce a poster for an event after a piece of work I did was more challenging than initially expected.

The support and guidance was good. We were trained very thoroughly at the beginning of the year. Members of my team were always available to ask for help if I needed them. My project supervisor in particular provided exceptional support when I asked for it.

I was very busy on a daily basis. I worked as part of a very fast paced team on a project which was very close to submission. This meant that my job involved meeting a lot of close deadlines and working very fast under pressure. Sometimes it got a bit too busy for me but my supervisors and team members realised this and shared the work out to other people.

I was given a good amount of responsibility but could still ask for help when required. I had several work packages over the year that I was in charge of and was allocated a supervisor to ask questions if needed.

I have learnt a lot about time management and working fast under pressure which are both qualities useful in any degree or future job. The science I have learnt will help me in my degree and report writing will definitely help me in my final year of uni.

My office was really nice. We had fun team events every so often which meant we all got to know each other quite well. Everyone was very welcoming and friendly.

It was well organised. My student project kept getting pushed back due to instrument availability but this was not really the fault of AZ or any of the supervisors. I like that the student project does not take the entire year so you can really get involved with the company and propely focus on the job and working life for most of the year.

They provided us with lots of training. Not just the basic training sessions though there were also several days throughout the year when we'd have learning forums and opportunities to go to presentations from all areas of the company. This allowed for personal development and constant learning.

I would love to work for AstraZeneca again it is a great company that cares about its workers and the patients it does the work for.

Yes. Everyone was very friendly and sociable.

Manchester/Macclesfield is very good price compared to most places I've been before.

I don't know much about Macclesfield because I didn't live there, but from what I've heard it was surprisingly lively for such a small town. I lived in Manchester which has a great music scene and nightlife.

There were volunteering days offerred and Club AZ offerred quite a lot of extras as well. I didn't do too much research into it but there were options if you looked.