Industrial placement student Review

I have really enjoyed my time as an industrial placement student at AstraZeneca! Everyone was incredibly friendly from the first day and ensured I felt welcome. There is a really positive work environment.

From the moment I started my placement everyone made sure that I was included in anything I could be, from helping colleagues in the laboratory to being involved in organising social events such as bake offs for charity. It has been great to feel involved in not only my project, but with helping with others too.

There is a great network of support available to you as a placement student. My supervisor was a great support and was always readily available to help and guide me with my project, from laboratory work to writing my report. Not only was my supervisor happy to help, my line manager always ensured I knew if I needed anything then they were available.

My project took up the majority of my time during my placement but there was always a balance of work. Some days I would spend all day in the lab, whilst other days would be spent writing up what I had done in the lab and others were a mix. A good balance between laboratory work and writing up was very achievable.

Whilst I was guided by my supervisor for laboratory work, data analysis and report writing, we were more working together with my opinion being valued rather than me being told what to do constantly. This was a good way for me to show my own initiative whilst also having the help available.

Not only did I develop multiple laboratory skills that will assist me both for my remaining time at university and my aspiring career as a research scientist, I also developed transferable skills. These included experiencing a professional work environment, the ability to collaborate in a team and improve my communication skills.

The general atmosphere was always very positive and upbeat. Everyone in the office was very friendly, everyone sat together for lunch and there was always a round of good mornings as you enter the office. There was always a good supply of baked goods and everyone took the time to get to know me.

From getting the placement offer I was kept up to date with what was next in the recruitment process. There was a 'familiarisation day' in June before I started in September which was very helpful as it allowed me to meet other students and we got advise on accommodation. We were also given the previous placement students emails if we had any questions. There was also a group called AZinspire which is early career scientists, including students, which organised events so you could meet other students.

I was given plenty of opportunities for development including developing laboratory and computer skills. I was also involved in team meetings and developed my presenting skills by giving presentations about my project. As a part of my placement I also had the opportunity to attend a scientific conference which provided valuable insight into current research.

AstraZeneca have a graduate scheme which I will seriously consider applying for as my placement this year has been very insightful and enjoyable. I would also consider applying for a permanent position if the opportunity arose.

Socialising at my placement was great, I routinely socialised with fellow colleagues from a meal out for a celebration to a pub quiz. There are also two AstraZeneca sites in Macclesfield were I was based. Me and the other student based at the site I was on, routinely met up and socialised with the students from the other site.

Food and drink in the local area was relatively cheap and other social activities were of an average cost. Accommodation prices could vary, I opted to live in a houseshare which was a little more expensive than renting a flat with a friend, but was still cheaper than a lot of areas would be.

There were a lot of pubs in the area I worked which were very good and catered for different types of events, there was only one club however. The food was also amazing. I was also a short train journey away from Manchester, which has a great nightlife with every type of night out you could want.

There was a gym onsite at work that you could get a discounted membership for and plenty of activities you could take part in in the surrounding area. I was very close to the peak district for amazing walks and scenery. There was also opportunities through AZinspire to get involved in various fun activities outside of work.