Work Experience Student Review

by University of Cambridge

Rating

2.5/5
  • The Role
    3.4
  • The Company
    2.6
  • The Culture
    1.1

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

    • I had an excellent experience working in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge. I discovered a research field I was fascinated by and am now pursuing a PhD in. My supervisor ([This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions]) was kind and patient when tackling conceptually difficult topics with me, and particularly when I was learning to code (which I found fulfilling but frustrating!)

    4/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] took great pride in my work and was happy to introduce me to colleagues when we attended a conference. Other members of the lab were more disinterested.

    3/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • The patience of a saint! I developed skills that I use every day currently (effective reading, coding and writing). However I also learnt to work independently. There was a good balance.

    5/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • Days were quite short - 10am-4pm - but packed with activity!

    2/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • I was working on an existing project that was conceptually and technically challenging, so I was not placed "in charge" of anything significant.

    2/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • I am now a PhD student in the field and use the skills I developed during this internship daily!

    5/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • In the office I shared with my supervisor, the atmosphere was calm and peaceful. In the lab as a whole, the atmosphere was sometimes frosty. It also took me 2 days to arrange a meeting with the Principal Investigator, as she was so busy shouting at her postdocs that I couldn't get a word in edgeways!

    3/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • It was very well-thought-through and I had the impression that Dr Clarke was keen for me to learn a great deal from the experience.

    3/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • As well as receiving hours of tuition a day, Dr Clarke has been a continuous source of advice for my postgraduate applications and career development.

    4/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • 3/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • I may well collaborate with [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] in future! However, I am glad that I am not working in the lab at the moment. Too many people there ([This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions]) made it clear to me that they expect students to know how to do experiments and write papers without being taught and that they are substandard if they require support. In some cases I was made to feel like an annoyance.

    2/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

    • No social opportunities. I didn't get the idea that the people there were friends.

    1/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • Quite expensive! I received a grant to fund my internship though, and live in Cambridge during the year, so I was neither surprised nor out-of-pocket.

    2/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • I didn't go out!

    1/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • Nothing organised by the lab. Some of my undergraduate friends were also on placements. I met up for activities with them.

    1/5
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Details

Internship (1 Month+)

East of England

October 2020

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