Placement Student Review

I have found this a truly amazing experience. At the beginning I never thought I would be able to achieve the things that I have by now. I've thoroughly enjoyed coming to work everyday and haven't had that Monday dread! Even my parents are telling me to lower my expectations for my next job as this one is so unique!

There is a lovely warm environment at work and everyone is unbelievably friendly. We are all treated like full-time staff and there is no discrimination against the students. Everyone appreciates the work that we complete and present to groups regularly. Even the security guards chat as we come and go throughout the week and people take a genuine interest in what you're doing and if you're ok.

I can only speak for my team, however, the support has been unbelievable - far more than uni! Everyone is genuinely happy to help and give you their time. There is a real knowledge sharing environment, and people out of your department are eager to assist. With notice, you can shadow almost anyone and you are never left to do anything that they do not believe you are capable of.

It varies week to week and from student to student. I've been very lucky and always have things to keep me busy! Some days are very long with late finishes or early starts, however these can be compensated and you can leave early other days. There is a good balance of lab and desk work and it just balances perfectly!

It can be a little daunting how much responsibility you're given! Once you're fully settled you're trusted, and sometimes they trust you more than you trust yourself! However, you're not given tasks you can't handle, and can always ask for their help if it's too much the first time. I feel like I've made good contributions to my team and am starting to see how it all fits into the bigger picture.

This is hard to comment on as I have not yet completed my placement (2 months left), but the common lab skills are easily transferable and I've been able to learn an indepth subject are that I wouldn't have been able to otherwise. I've now chosen my final year modules around what I've learnt this year!

The environment is extremely friendly and helpful. It is definitely set up to work, with quiet areas, but also for collaboration and communication. There are lots of social events throughout the calendar year, and office team building days and lunches. Large open plan so it's never too difficult to find someone!

AZ have been having sandwich students for a long time (some are now permanent members after their PhD!) and have it running smoothly. There are social events hosted throughout the year, including a trip to the site in Sweden for the placement students. There are always people to talk to if you have any issues.

I've been fully invested in to expand my skills and development. Offers to shadow those unrelated to my project come through regularly - just to develop my technical skills. I've been funded to go to 3 conferences so far and am attending a large conference in September which is even after my placement has finished!

I would thoroughly love to become a full time employee, however to excel in science, a PhD is absolutely necessary! However, there are several permanent members who were originally placement students and have come back. There's also a graduate scheme with further prospects which can lead to full time employment.

There are roughly 15 placement students in Cambridge so there are plenty to choose from and its pretty highly likely that there will be someone with the same interests! We all eat lunch together everyday and have a group chat were events are organised. There are also several clubs for employees which the students can utilize.

Cambridge is an expensive area, however the salary is very competitive and makes up for this. Some areas are cheaper to live in than others, and Cambridge can easily be done on a budget if you are clever with it! Equally, many people live at home and commute so if you can do that then it saves a lot.

Cambridge is fairly tame however this suited me and many of the students quite well! A lot of people travel to unis at the weekend anyway and London is only 45mins by train and runs some late night trains back which is very handy. There are also some over 21 clubs if freshers are not your scene!

Clubs are regularly run both for students and employees. There's lots going on in the surrounding area which people get involved with. There are team building and community days. There's also a club for young people within the company which run regular social events and symposiums in and out of work hours.