Sandwich Student - Synthetic Organic Chemistry Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on my placement and have met some great people. I got given the opportunity to work in 2 departments, first experiencing crystallisation science which gave me the opportunity to observe my processes scaled up on manufacture scale which was very rewarding. Finally I worked in a department trying out some new innovative science for future development.

I felt as though I was an integral member of my project teams, definitely not a student making the tea. I had a lot of university work to do on top of company work and everyone around me understood that and went out their way to ensure I had enough support for this also. I personally I could have made a little more effort to integrate myself with more colleagues in the year I spent there.

My supervisor gave loads of support both with my company and university work. Despite being an incredibly busy person she would always make time in her packed schedule to have one to one catch ups to ask how I was and to give support and guidance when necessary. I also had a lot of support from many other colleagues where they were very approachable to sort out day to day queries.

I was too busy. This was not due to company work - this would take up to 8 hours a day like a standard job. It was my university work which made me so busy. The amount of work which had to be done in my opinion was unreasonable compared to other students on placement. I found myself regularly working 12 hour days to ensure my university work was done to a satisfactory standard.

I felt I was given a large amount of responsibility (in a good way). My 1st supervisor for 1 project gave me free reigns to develop my own process and see it through to manufacture scale. At one point a decision had to be made during the large scale process and it was me who gave the call not my supervisor. This felt very rewarding.

The work I did at AsrtaZeneca formed my Masters project for my MChem degree. Therefore the work I was doing was having a direct impact on my degree studies. I was given specialist training to use specific equipment which has added feathers to my cap in terms for skills required in the future.

The atmosphere was a very pleasant place to be around. Colleagues were approachable and chatty and would always go out their way to answer / assist with most queries. Would always have team coffee breaks where you can chat and catch up with all the people you work with. Also for meetings there was a cake rota which was always nice!

Well organised. I was never sat down twiddling my thumbs there was always something to do. Although it was well organised there was a nice degree of flexibility to allow me to book time off for university work and even use some work time to do university work. My university were too very organised.

I felt that the company invested highly in me first. I was trained how to use equipment that very few people in the company knew how to use. There was always the opportunity to go on training courses and I was encouraged to do so. I was also offered a permanent job (which I declined due to accepting a job in a different sector) so the company was very much willing to invest in my future which was nice.

It was very appealing. I went for a job as a process chemist and was offered it. I was very tempted to take it but was offered a very attractive position in another sector which I could not turn down. However I will always consider this organisation and this sector as a career path in the future.

Yes. I joined the company badminton team which provided a great social platform regularly going out with colleagues and meeting new people. There was also plenty of company organised meals, sports events as well as regular casual out of work get togethers.

695 a month shared between 2 people.

Macclesfield was ok had plenty of pubs but was only 20 mins away from manchester on the trian for a proper night out

yes dozens of sports and leisure clubs for the company