Chemical engineer student Review

by GSK

Best Student Employer

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

2.5/5
  • The Role
    3.3
  • The Company
    2.3
  • The Culture
    1.5

    The Role

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

    • I have enjoyed my placement working in research and development but I don't think the job is for me. This placement has helped me to realise that I prefer working in a manufacturing facility to working in a lab.

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

    • I have felt valued as I know that the project I'm working on will be a big benefit to the chemical engineers here but I haven't felt very welcome. By that I mean that I haven't felt that I've really been integrated into the team and got to know many individuals, I suspect this is mainly due to the other team members work loads but it would have been nice to be invited to lunch and tea and be able to get to know them.

    2/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • For my project I was given a lot of support. If I've ever been stuck and needed help I've recieved in within a couple of days. My supervisor has been more than willing to help me when he can but again he's very busy.

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

    • My project has been my own individual research project so I've been kept quite busy as I have had a lot to do before the deadline. At times I've been a little bored but this has usually been whilst waiting for equipment orders when there's been a change of plan rather than in my general day to day.

    4/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • My project was essentially my own responsibility. I have had to organise myself to make sure that I get my objectives complete. When I've been required to complete a risk assessment or other document my supervisor has checked that he's happy with my work before it's been submitted.

    4/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • I have gained a better knowledge of working in a laboratory and the skills required for work on that scale. My ability to organise myself and to work as an individual has been tested and I feel they have been improved slightly.

    3/5

    The Company

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

    • In general the office was quite dull.My colleagues were very busy with their deadlines and so quite stressed. On occassion the atmosphere improved but this was rare.

    1/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • Overall the organisation was average. It took a long time to get my contract through and on occassion moments during my placement have been very disorganised. At times it has been quite organised and I've been able to continue my project well.

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

    • I have had no personal training provided. The only development I have felt is from working in a loaboratory environment which I previously had very little experience of.

    1/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • Flexi Time

    Subsidised Canteen

    Subsidised/Company Gym

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

    • Last year I completed a year long contract with the same company but in manfuacturing rather than research and development. I would happily take a job in manufacturing but I don't think I'd like a job in research and development although I've been told that they are actively recruiting.

    5/5

    The Culture

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

    • The social scene was near non-existent. There was one other student in the office with me and we got on well. Unfortunately neither of us were invited to any social occassions in which the other permanent staff went to.

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

    • The cost of living and socialising was very high as I have been living in the London suburbs.

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

    • The nightlife within the town was pretty poor. The only real option was to travel into London on the train although this then affected what I could do as I would have to get the last train home usually.

    2/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • I joined the gym whilst here and I found a Guide unit to help at but these were actually quite hard to organise.

    2/5
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Details

London

March 2013

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