Temporary Field Assistant Review

It was technically easy work amongst a bunch of nice people. The science behind the trials was interesting, although students couldn't really get too involved and were really treated more as general dogsbodies. There were a good number of poor quality candidates there and it was easy to stand out as competent and able.

Variable according to supervisor. Most were generally appreciative of hard work, however some acted like overtime was compulsory and expected students to stay late or arrive early, sometimes quite unreasonably. Most such issues could easily be resolved by communication though.

As stated, the work is not technically challenging and I rarely felt out of my depth with a job. However, senior staff were available and willing to help when needed and it was nice to have 2 performance reviews in just over 3 months.

Highly variable. Some days given ridiculously huge group tasks with unreasonable timescales, making overtime inevitable. At other times many members of staff were scratching for the same jobs (and I was told it got worse for year-long placements). Having initiative definitely helps stave off boredom, but there are sadly many opportunities to lounge and doss if you're that way inclined.

Unsurprising, given my lowly status, I was not given a great deal of responsibility. Students on year-long placements did training for safe handling of chemicals and this allowed them to take on some solo tasks which I wasn't able to. Having said this, if you are able to show some leadership, you'll be looked to organise and supervise weaker workers in basic tasks, which is good if you're after some people-management experience.

Not particularly, as I'm not planning to go into agroscience as a career and already had team working skills from previous career. This shouldn't be taken as a criticism though, I was very lucky to be taken on and the placement certainly looks good on my CV.

Certainly very friendly with a good level of 'banter'. I am quite a serious person in the workplace and didn't exactly approve of this, but, for people who like to be sociable and chat with colleagues I'm sure it would be great.

I was properly inducted on day 1 and all of the paperwork and health and safety stuff that often gets forgotten with such schemes was taken care of. It was also clear from the start which department I would be placed in and what my duties would be. The specific team I was in was poorly organised and managed, which I noticed, but it actually impacts surprisingly little on the day-to-day life of a placement student. Higher up in the company, it would surely be a major bugbear.

As mentioned, very little formal training was given beyond the very basics. Most of what I learnt was from other students and of an informal nature. I didn't resent this as I was only staying 3 months. It was mentioned that if I came back next year and showed an interest in joining the company full time, then more relevant training would be given.

The graduate scheme is poorly paid and I was told that many graduates that they do take on are worked into the ground and leave within 2/3 years due to exhaustion or better prospects elsewhere. I can't really understand why they have such a healthy supply of graduate labour when they don't pay them properly

Yes, always loads of stuff being organised. Groups of students went out together for various social activities at least 2/3 times per week.

Not applicable as I commuted. From what I was told, the small villages very close to work are very expensive to live, with larger towns like Loughborough cheaper but prone to heavy traffic in the mornings.

If you want nights out you'd have to go to Derby or Nottingham, both of which are a (somewhat expensive) taxi ride away. There are numerous nice country pubs within a few miles of the place, which did just fine for me, but I imagine the average student wants more excitement.

I knew several students who went climbing together quite regularly. Nothing else though. I'm a keen badminton player and was hoping to find some like minded people at work who wanted to play, but no luck. Not the company's fault though.