Microbiology Review

My role was project based so each day depended on what my current projects required, this could include running experiments such as PCRs, Ligations and Digestions. More routine aspects of my role were making media and agar plates, making disinfectant for the department, washing up dirty glass wear and putting it away, and ensure the lab was filled with equipment such as falcon tubes, pipette tips and eppendorf tubes.

I have developed my molecular biology skills such as running PCRs, agarose gels, digestions and ligations. In addition, I learnt new technical skills such as using CRISPR to make gene modifications, how to work with plant cells, and how to cause bacterial conjugation. Through the placement I have also developed many soft skills such as team working, communication, critical thinking and problem solving, data analysis and digital skills.

I had responsibility for my own projects and meeting the deadlines in regards to that. In addition, I was responsible for my own data analysis and presenting my findings in front of key stakeholders. Lastly I trained another placement student in Molecular Biology techniques so they could work alongside me in a project, so I was responsible for ensuring that they understood what to do.

I was given a lot of support, when I first started I had a lot of on the job training to complete and I shadowed a member of staff for the first couple of weeks whilst they taught me lab techniques and introduced me to my projects. We had weekly department meetings and weekly teams meetings, these allowed me to discuss my projects and their findings, as well as ask for help and guidance.

The general atmosphere was comfortable and everyone was exceptionally friendly, whenever I needed help people was there to help me. Company culture is integral to GSK and it really shows in the employees, I was treated as a colleague as a opposed to a student and as a valued member of the team. This allowed me to feel comfortable asking for help

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement. I found the work very interesting and had an amazing team to support me when I needed help or wanted to learn more. It exceeded my expectations, especially as there were still some COVID regulations in place, and it confirmed to me that I would want to work in Molecular Biology/Microbiology in the future in an industry setting. The amazing culture of GSK would encourage me to return.

Yes

Be yourself in the assessment centres, if you have gotten this far in the application process the interviewers now really want to know who you are and what your values are. It's important that you bring in examples from outside of University as well. In terms of preparing for day one- don't worry!! Everyone is so friendly and no-one expects you to know exactly how a manufacturing site works. Lastly- Enjoy the placement!