Respiratory Insights Executive Review

I had a really enjoyable time! I had the opportunity to travel across Europe and to the US and this was something I didn't expect. I was also able to get involved in lots of 'extra-curricular' activities such as leading a charity team, volunteering at corporate events and generally just doing a lot on top of my day to day role.

Despite working remotely, the majority of my colleagues made me feel valued and as if I was a part of the team. Unfortunately my initial line manager didn't value me at all but this was dealt with and afterwards I felt a lot better about my time at GSK.

Initially very little support, though think this was because of my line manager and her inability to manage remotely, or at all. However, once this was changed my placement became much more enjoyable and I was given a lot more responsibility as well as help with learning how to develop myself.

Pretty busy most of the time but not working too hard. I was able to find a nice balance and whilst there were weeks where I was working from 8-7, it was very rare to work longer than 9-5 and this is encouraged. So in comparison to other companies, working hours are very relaxed.

As mentioned, initially very little (even tasked with just spellchecking powerpoints....). However after a manager swift, I was offered a lot more! I led my own projects, managed a team of other placement students and helped with projects that had genuine business impact.

Can't recommend how beneficial doing a placement is enough! It's shown me what day to day working is like, has given me the experience in a large corporation and really set me up with experience for moving onto the next step of my career. It also helps massively with networking etc.

Hot desking creates a great atmosphere, you always sit near and around different people so meet lots of new faces! There is always a buzz too, people are taking calls at their desks, having conversations bout the weekend or chatting about work. It's very lively indeed!

To be honest, they tried their best to organise it well but sometimes things just don't work out. Working in a completely different timezone to your manager is always going to be tricky in a role you have no experience in, but they did well to support me with a team in the UK.

Invested in me a lot (especially with the business trips!). There was always opportunities to go on courses, whether for presentation skills, learning about finance, how to give or receive feedback. These were open to normal employees as well as placement students and there was never an occasion where we'd be deprioritised.

Relatively, there are lots of graduate schemes available but obviously they are pretty competitive. It seems to get one internally, you would need to have done your placement in a specific role but opportunities are always there. The recruitment process could be a little bit fairer but other than that pretty good.

With over 200 placement students in the office there are always plenty of opportunities for socials, particularly at the start when everyone is still in their Uni bubble! Often events put on by the company have all of the costs covered so booze and food is always provided for us.

Obviously living in London you end up paying London prices (even if we are pretty far out West). Tend to pay £5 for a pint anywhere you go and the drinks prices in clubs are much more, but that's just London in general. Pay £570 a month rent for a double bed in a flat on the North Circular in Ealing so that's not too shabby.

Brentford is trash for nightlife, there is literally nothing there. Though obviously it's well connected to central London so not too difficult to go for a night out, coming back might be a bit of a struggle though.

Lots of them! There is a gym on site (we do have to pay though which is a pisstake considering we work for a healthcare company) but there are free tennis courts to use. In terms of volunteering at large corporate events there is always opportunity through the charitable partnerships team.