Undergraduate Analytical Chemist Review

I very much enjoyed my placement. The variety of techniques I trained under was fantastic, and each placement is tailored to the individual, so you are stretched no matter what your previous experience is. My supervisor was always around to help with problems, but left me alone to think through things too. The final year research project was very much my own, but I also contributed to general work for the company which was just as interesting.

I was surprised at how seriously everyone took my suggestions when discussing problems. I expected everyone to dismiss my ideas due to my being a student. By thinking about the problem logically, and using my scientific knowledge from uni, the suggestions I gave received a great response from my colleagues. Even if I was sometimes off the mark, the demonstration of enthusiasm and problem solving was always received positively. Occasionally, because I've just come from uni, some of my ideas hadn't been considered by the team, and they valued a fresh perspective.

This really was exemplary. The transition between uni life and work life couldn't have been made easier. From support of how to get to the site on the first day, through to training of techniques, and help in career development, my supervisors were always on hand to help if I asked. They also appreciated leaving me to my devices to think through and arrive at conclusions myself, which is always more valuable than being told an answer.

At times it felt monotomous, but then that's work life right? Work was always available if I went looking for it. The team were conscious if I expressed that I felt I had too much to do, but also checked I had enough to do to keep busy. The opportunity for further training and further reading filled any gaps in the daily schedule.

Whilst I wouldn't say I was running the show, my decisions about my research project were final. I made decisions which impacted my results, and final write up (mostly positively, occasionally negatively (but I learned most from these)), after recieiving feedback and suggestions from my supervisor. In other aspects of the job, I was very much in charge of delivering activities and demonstrations to school children during my volunteer days.

My placement year was my final year in my degree, so whilst it won't help any further with this degree programme, it would definitely help if I decide to do a Phd in the future. In terms of employability, the training is absolutely invaluable, and has been looked upon extremely favourably in job interviews I've had. Real life experience in the industry you want to go in is tough to come by. Having a placement with this company gave my experience I'd only dreamt of in first year.

It's a place of work, so it's never going to be as party central as university, but the kindness and friendliness by all staff in my office made it very welcoming, and definitely a place I looked forward to going to every morning. From cake club, to dress down friday, the atmosphere was never overly serious, and always supportive.

Given the number of placement students they have every year, and the number of years they've done so, the training induction week was a well oiled machine. It was optimised as a welcome week, induction week, and gave essential training to get into the labs as quickly, but safely, as possible. Regular meetings about my project meant the work kept flowing, with problems being addressed as they arose. Student social groups are in place at the start of the year.

There are always opportunities for development here. Sessions on various aspects of professional development are offered (for all staff not just students) which you can sign up for, and turn up to. My supervisor was always encouraging of these. The online training package ensures you cover everything required of you to carry out your role, but gives you the opportunity to sign up for nearly anything extra.

I was lucky enough to be offered a job within the department for when my placement finishes, for which I'm absolutely thrilled. The majority of students have an extra year to complete at uni so this isn't always possible. Several of my colleagues here previously had placements of some kind within the company, before getting offers to come back.

Yes, the company initiated a group, and encouraged internal 'getting to know each other' activities. This made it easier to form a social group of fellow placement students. Regular meet-ups outside of work were planned, over a range of activities. Colleagues invited students to the christmas meal, and other office/non-office based socials.

It depends where you live. City centre is obviously expensive to live, but the suburb areas are cheap to rent. Most placement students lived in groups organised before we arrived. I chose to live by myself and could afford to do so based on the salary, but getting to places for socialising was never too expensive.

Again, depends where you live. Some of the smaller towns have very little going on. Bigger towns/cities are more expensive to live in, but have more going on in the area. Living with a big group of people allowed some of the students here to split expensive taxi fares so they could still go out in the city, but live in the suburbs.

The company have a variety of clubs on site, reading, sports etc. Volunteer days (5 per year) were a great way to do something different out of the office. I visited different schools and taught children some science, using an experiment and demonstration I designed. The volunteer days can be in loads of different areas, community based, wildlife, charities, environment or education.