Industrial Placement Student Review

I've thoroughly enjoyed my year at AstraZeneca. The dynamic range of roles within the placement has provided an invaluable set of skills and knowledge for any future career within science and the pharmaceutical industry. Even in circumstances of COVID-19 lockdown, working from home was made engaging with virtual webinars and activities provided by AZInspire. Throughout the year AZInspire host a range of events to help the young employees to socialise amongst colleagues and gain further industry insight.

The placement project I had the opportunity to carry out was highly valued by not only my research team but contributed to a real company target. This achievement was praised in meetings. I also felt valued when helping other students or new employees with settling into the work environment at AZ. Any suggestions I made at meetings were respected and listened to. However, as I had limited experience and was known to be a student I wasn't expected to provide the level of help to the team as other more experienced empolyees.

My supervisor provided an expectational level of support. They were always very approachable and more than happy to answer my questions (no matter how many times I asked the same ones). Not only did they tailor my assigned work to cover a range of techniques and molecular biology area, but provided a lot of guidance when writing my university-assigned work- above and beyond what was expected of them. However, my supervisor was very busy with additional company roles so there were times when they were unable to assist.

Initially, during training I wasn't very busy as my supervisor didn't have the time to demonstrate new techniques, meaning training took longer than expected. However, once I was trained I felt very busy with a mixture of laboratory work and write-ups. There were times where I felt a pressure to meet deadlines; especially when work didn't go as planned. However once COVID-19 caused us to work from home for 3 months there were times when I didn't have enough work to do to feel occupied and of value. Although, my team manager always tried to give me meaningful tasks.

I was given much more responsibility than expected. The laboratory project work I was given was of moderate importance to the company. I also presented on behalf of my team to the head of department. Though as placement students we were never given administrative responsibility (other than our own) which would have impacted on other permanent projects. This was likely due to our lack of skill-set rather than a lack of trust.

Having almost completed my placement at AZ- I feel much more confident to complete my final year project at university. I also feel very competitive to apply for a PhD. Not only have I developed laboratory skills but have gained invaluable experience for working for a large company. I can't imagine how the placement could have been tailored differently to have gained more skills.

The open-plan office space had a vibrant atmosphere- focused around communicating within and between various research groups. The collaborative environment definitely drove progress for everyone's work. Regular company and informal celebrations were held. Rarely a day went by without some form of office cake available. However, it was noisy due to many colleagues engaging in Skype conference calls, making it hard to focus on work.

As a relatively large-scale placement scheme there was a very clear plan to the layout of the year. If a student felt they had a problem with the placement they could easily communicate this to the placement scheme co-ordinator. Several months before starting the placement we had an induction day to meet our potential supervisors and all questions answered. On starting the placement there was a variety a induction activities organised to help settle us into the working environment.

AstraZeneca provided a wealth of training and development opportunities, both in the lab and in the office-space. The company aims to provide students with all the skills required to progress onto the next stage of their career plan. Though it's important to note there was no offer of a future job with the company, rather than provide students with the skills necessary to make them competitive in future job applications within the scientific community.

AstraZeneca don't offer jobs to their placement students for after their students. The company provides the students with the skills necessary to be competitive for future job applications within the scientific sector (whether that be at AZ or another firm). I would love to work at AZ as a permanent employee, should I have the chance in the future.

There was a remarkably good social scene amongst fellow placement students and the younger AstraZeneca employees. Many students lived together in shared housing around the city, so felt very much like another year of university social life. The company itself as an 'AZInspire' group which serves a little like a university society. They provide social events throughout the year to meet all the other placement students as well as other skills development opportunities relevant to students.

Cambridge is a reasonably expensive location, however as a university town there were still many cheaper alternatives for shopping and socialising. The salary of the placement definitely covers all living expenses as well as some spending to enjoy the city of Cambridge. There is a range of cost of accommodation. Recommend looking into Arbury for cheaper accommodation.

As a there is both Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin universities there was plenty of Nightlife for young people. However, as university towns go I think the Nightlife was lacking slightly- as there were only really two good Nightclubs. However, there are a whole range of pubs which are a lovely place to catch up with the other students after work.

As Cambridge is a vibrant university town there were many opportunities available. There are many gyms, outdoor swimming, punting, museums, climbing. I don't think any of the students felt the city lacking in activities to get involved in. Work itself provides some recreational activities such as football and netball with colleagues.