Industrial Placement Student Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working at AZ, it has been quite an experience! Admittedly the year has been tough, the combination of uni work and a job has been difficult to balance. Having said this, the job in itself has been great and I've learned a lot (especially lab skills) in a short period of time!

I felt like a valuable part of my team pretty much from the get go. I was put on project work immediately and given real responsibilities, which was a nice surprise. I felt like my work was important and valued by other members of my team.

I got a lot of support when I needed it - supervision is 1 on 1 and they are always there if you have any questions or need help with something. I am grateful of my supervisor as I have learned a lot! This extends to the rest of the lab and the team - anyone was willing to answer (my many) questions about various things. Everyone is friendly and happy to help.

I tended to be pretty busy in the lab but that was mostly because I gave myself more lab work to do to fill the gaps - it is pretty flexible and you plan your own time. I also attended synthesis and design meetings weekly, as well as other meetings. It gave me an opportunity to learn to manage my time a bit better as initially I struggled with timing lab-based things to fit around meetings. Aside from work, I was busy at home in the evenings too - lots of coursework, a report and a presentation were set by my uni and this took up quite a lot of time. I did ask AZ for help with this as I was feeling quite overwhelmed and they allowed me to set some time aside to catch up with uni work when I needed it. :)

Lots! I could try pretty much anything anyone else on the team did, such as route planning, analysis, design, presentations etc.

I haven't started my next year at uni yet - but I presume the lab skills will help lots! I plan to do an organic chemistry based project, so I can't see why they wouldn't be a huge asset (as well as later down the line for jobs/phds).

It was good - everyone was friendly and welcoming of a chat (particularly around the coffee machine). We had daily coffee breaks where the majority of the lab would come and chat in the atrium for a bit, which was nice.

Pretty well organised. There was quite a lot of paperwork and such before I started the placement, as well as some issues with my tax code, but nothing that couldn't be fixed. This was all controlled by an external hiring company so that is probably why it wasn't 100% smooth.

I got lots of lab experience, as well as the opportunity to go to networking days and symposiums.

They are competitive! I still have a bit of time before I think about jobs, but if I see they are offering jobs a bit further down the line, I'll likely apply and cross my fingers.

There was some social scene, but this wasn't the strongest as the majority of us were bogged down with uni work in the evenings. We did all try to meet up at the pub when we could though.

Expensive. It is Cambridge, rent as well as social activities are generally expensive. Try not to be shocked at the price of a pint!

Hmm. Unless you count a pub as nightlife, it was generally minimal. I didn't have a huge amount of time or will to go clubbing this year honestly. Aside from that, the pubs are great. Although expensive, they are fun and colleagues often celebrated achievements at the pub.

You can go punting and visit the sights of Cambridge. I went to a few markets and events which were pretty fun.