Biological Sciences Industrial Placement Student Review

I am a lab-based scientist so I split my time between the lab, working on different kind of experiments, and the office, planning the experiments and analysing data from them. I attend group meetings which are mostly centred around the science. I also do other extra activities such as being a STEM ambassador and events organised by the placement student "society" within the company.

So many! I have developed my general workplace and transferable skills such as time management, networking and communication, and learnt many scientific skills such as experimental design, data analysis, how to use different analysis software, and specific lab techniques that I couldn't learn at university.

Yes quite a lot. At the start for maybe 1 or 2 months it was a lot of training, shadowing and helping with other people's experiments. Since then I have had my own project which I make decisions about and am responsible for. My supervisors and managers and other colleagues are there to help if necessary but otherwise I have been able to be quite independent.

A lot! Weekly 1 to 1 supervisor meetings are a requirement for students undertaking a placement, and you an ask anybody questions at any time and they are all friendly and willing to help. We also have development and information sessions run for all placement students.

The culture at GSK is amazing, everyone is generous with their time and you can approach anyone if you want to talk to them (e.g. you are interested in their job). There is a strong sense that everyone is doing the right thing for the right reasons. There are a lot of site activities to build community, e.g. Christmas lunches, science days and community group presentations and stalls.

I have really enjoyed it as it has given me the opportunity to learn so many things I wouldn't otherwise have learnt at uni. I have been able to gain confidence and independence, and there is a great community of placement students so I haven't missed the social aspect of uni too much.

Yes

Would definitely recommend, couldn't imagine a better, more supportive company to do a placement at. When applying, make sure you know some background information about GSK, e.g. company aims and culture, and mention this when asked why you want to work for them.