Industrial Placement Review

I really enjoyed my project, although I didn't have to choose it. My supervisor was very supportive whenever I needed advice and support. I enjoyed the work atmosphere and the collaboration mind set existing between colleagues. I liked being challenge while at the same time having the possibility to ask around me for help.

As an industrial placement student, I was given the same chances to speak during meetings and present my work to my teammates. I also had the opportunity to interact closely with permanent employers and felt treated with respect despite my age. I could share my work in department meetings, through an elevator pitch, a poster or an oral presentation.

From the beginning of the internship I was allocated a pastoral supervisor. I had meetings with her every 3 months, talking about my personal development, my future career and opportunities to discover other GSK departments. On top of that I had a technical supervisor to guide me through my project. During the year another supervisor took in charge my technical work, giving me even more support.

I found the start of the placement relatively slow, as a lot of training was required before starting experiments in the lab. As soon as experiments started I found myself very busy, having to write up experiments at the same time as planning future work. However I did find time to attend conferences for my personal development.

After 5 months I was given a lot of responsibility, working fully and on my own on an analytical method. However I always had the possibility to ask my technical supervisor for advice. The latter also double-checks results that I generated before they are released or shared among other scientists.

I think the main benefits I gained with this placement are linked to the work skills I developed: organisation, planning, accurate reports, excellent communication, autonomy and team work at the same time. The technical skills might not be helpful in my future career as they are very specific to the work I carried out.

Atmosphere at work was always very cheerful but serious at the same day. Employees trust each other, share their work and are happy to help whenever they can. I didn't feel competition between colleagues. Team building days were organised every 5 months. On top of that, game nights or Christmas dinner were organised.

As said earlier, the start of the placement was slow in my opinion. Maybe this could have been more organised in order to save time. After that the work plan was well organised, having deadlines, and goals set in time. Presentations for team meetings also improved organisation of my work.

I don't think I received much personal training. I did have the chance to spend a few days in other departments but I wished I had more opportunities. A site tour was organised for students in another GSK site, which was a great idea, but again I would have enjoyed having more of these.

I am confident that I will be prioritised if applying to a job in that department. I also think that I will have support from my supervisors if applying to another GSK site or area.

I really appreciated the fact that GSK Stevenage has more than 100 students. This created a good opportunity to socialise with other students and organise social events outside work. My department also organises monthly drinks after work. This was a great way to socialise with workmates in a more casual environment.

Stevenage has many cheap places to go for drinks or dinner. It is also relatively cheap to rent a flat in that area, although transport is quite expensive and not very reliable.

The nightlife was disappointing in Stevenage. However being close to London allows occasional nights out in city centre, which are much more expensive.

GSK has a gym facility for employees. Gym classes are a great way to socialise with other GSK colleagues. Badminton and volleyball, as well as yoga and Pilates were organised. You could be part of the volleyball sport team and participate to matches as well as social events. Outside GSK you could easily another sport clubs.