IP Student in Structural and Biophysical Sciences Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement at GSK as it has given me a real insight into carrying out research in an industrial setting. I have gained technical skills, an appreciation of the sector as a whole and developed my employability skills throughout the year.

My colleagues have made me feel extremely welcome and enabled me to settle in well to the small group in which I work. I am made aware of how my work fits in to the objectives of the group and am able to work closely with other members to achieve this.

I have always felt very much supported by my manager and colleagues and have never felt that I could not ask for help or advice. I have encountered some difficult times this year and they have supported me throughout. The only improvement is that my department are very busy so sometimes people aren't available to help.

I would say that I have rarely felt too busy or bored throughout my placement. Whenever I have had too little to do I have asked for more responsibilities and have always been given them. My supervisor is very keen for me to take all opportunities to help me grow. Whenever I have stayed later than usual working hours this has been my choice, I have never felt I needed to.

I have been given lots of responsibility during my placement, both within my role directly and also with organising other events outside of this. I have really enjoyed the sense of independence I have felt, but there has always been support to hand should I need it.

I would definitely say that I have gained skills for life this year. The lab skills I have gained will be useful within my final year but I have developed soft skills which I would use wherever my career takes me. This year has enabled me to become more confident, independent, organised and mature as well as giving me insights into the world of work.

The atmosphere in the office is one of concentration and calm, however there is always someone up for a chat when you want one. I feel this is a good balance for me as it means I am never distracted from work when I need to get on, but the atmosphere is also friendly.

I believe the placement has been well organised as I was given a two-week overlap with the previous student which enabled me to do lots of thorough training. The only thing that has been lacking in regular scheduled-in one-to-ones with my manager. She always makes time for me when I need it but it would be good to have the chats scheduled in in advance.

The company has been very invested in my personal development, enabling me to take part in volunteering initiatives, training courses and spend time in other departments with different students learning about what they do. People in my department have always made lots of time for me to learn more about what they do as well and my manager has even taken me to the research institute where she works in collaboration with GSK- a wonderful experience.

I would definitely consider returning to GSK should I have the opportunity but I see this personally as a more long term goal, once I have obtained some experience of research in other institutes. I could definitely see myself having a long and happy career here in the future though.

There has definitely been a good social scene amongst the students here. My department don't tend to socialise out of work together though we have had the odd lunch or evening meal. The IP community is fabulous though and I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I've spent with them- I've made more than a couple of friends for life here.

Stevenage is relatively cheap to live in with good proximity to London. It's not a particularly nice area but it is very well connected and the number of students from GSK around means there's always something to do. The surrounding villages are also really nice and definitely worth a visit, for example Hitchin.

The nightlife in Stevenage is pretty rubbish but its easy to go to London on a night out which is a cool experience but means you wont be out as regularly as at Uni.

There were loads of different activities to get involved in outside of work organised by the committee in charge of the IPs- IP Unite. There have been loads of really great events and I've also pursued a lot of activities in the local area. Examples include outdoor yoga at the Lavender farm and pottery at a garden studio both in Hitchin.