Healthcare Operations Undergraduate Review

I had a fantastic 12 months at Pfizer, there's a large group of undergrads (~50 in my year 2017/18) and it's expanding which means it's really social and fun. I've had great managers that have been focussed and supportive of my professional development and have granted me great responsibility with projects not normally manged by undergrads. The Pfizer work environment is pretty chill and everyone is friendly and happy to help.

A great extent. Throughout the year as I began to better understand Pfizer I was able to take on bigger projects and had a great deal of trust placed in me, receiving postive feedback from colleagues at different levels of the organisation.

I've been really lucky with my managers - in my role I've been dual managed which has provided a variety of viewpoints and support which has been really valuable. My abilities have been streched to complete tasks I originally thought I wasn't capable of and I have grown in confidence. I've had the opportunity to get a broad view of the business in my role and in opportunities to shadow colleagues in different areas of the business.

A good balance throughout the year, as expected towards the beginning whilst I was figuring everything out it was at times boring but I then realised throughout the year that I could also ask for work rather than it being one-way communication from manager to myself.

I was part of 2 small teams which means I had a lot of input into the work that we completed and therefore had a lot of responsibility over the year including the solo updating of an internal website, updating & approving an external website (working with a variety of stakeholders (vendors, developers, project managers, technology support)) and the project management of an office-wide event involving many external visitors towards the end of my year.

I hope that my prioritisation of tasks to complete will improve, I'm definately better at taking on information quickly and being able to explain it, I will more likely take the initiative to ask lecturers/academics for advice or help. This placement has been so beneficial for helping me work out my options for after I graduate and to be able to meet the people that could help me do that, I've been able to start to develop a professional network and been able to explore job options in the pharma and healthcare industry.

Not as expected! I thought it would be a very corporate & rigid environment but everyone is friendly and it's pretty relaxed.

All of the behind the scenes admin like payroll and provision of laptops etc. was well done, I think the information received before and the excitement around us joining could've been better. It was difficult for me as my role was new this year so there was no previous undergrad to receive a handover from. Also I think it would've been good to have a few Pfizer organised meet-ups for the undergrads during the year as once we had started the placement there wasn;t many opportunities during hear about others experiences. Luckily we set up a number of initiatives to enable this but would've been good for this to be led by Pfizer.

I've had the opportunity to complete a number of trainings during my year , most valuable was the Priority Management training, although this could be run earlier in the year. Also we've been provided with training on the Yellow Belt Six Sigma methodology and the completion of projects to gain official qualification for this.

There are a couple of options: firstly, a small graduate scheme and secondly, opportunity to apply for an entry level job. After completing a placement at Pfizer there is more chance of securing one of these.

Yes, we would do something most weeks with big & small groups and occasional undergrad wide parties or nights out.

Surrey is expensive, rent is £500+ per month and there was little help from Pfizer to find housing. We're close to London so it's pretty expensive for drinks or food out. I'd recommend driving in the area as it makes life a lot easier although there are public transport options.

Pretty poor unless you head into London, Clapham Junction is fun and easy to access on the train, and obviously more central london but more difficult to get back home from.

There's a few sports clubs: running, cycling and an onsite gym but few other work organised activities. We'd organise stuff to do with fellow undergrads.