This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
I found it a challenging but positive experience. Everyone was very welcoming and friendly and it was up to myself to manage my own workload.
I felt close to my colleagues and was treated as a member of the team and not just a student. I was also able to become friendly with people in other departments as the site is quite small.
My supervisor and manager were very supportive and treated me like the rest of the employees and not just as a student. They were also aware of the pressures of industry and so made sure that I was completely overwhelmed.
On a daily basis I was quite busy as we are in a fast turnaround time laboratory. This could be stressful at times but it was never too much.
I was mainly responsible for the tests that I ran and the work that was needed to be done on them. This alllowed me to become more independent and confident.
I feel I've developed some important Analytical testing skills that are used in day to day routine analytical labs. I was also able to balance uni work with full time employment so that has improved my time management.
Light hearted and a good atmosphere. People are happy to have a wee chat and a coffee.
The placement was very well organised and there were events we could participate in as students.
They made sure I was able to build up my CV and personal skills - they offered to help me practice interview techniques and learn any other laboratory skills that I hadn't had a chance to develop in my own lab.
Flexi Time
Subsidised Canteen
Sports and Social Club
Financial Bonus
Company Parties/Events
There seems to be a lot of previous students who have completed a placement here working as full time employees now.
The company had an indoor rock climbing club every wednesday that I went too and would socalise with the other students and employees most weekends. We organised a trip to York for the weekend and have been paintballing and ice skating.
Derby wasnt as cheap as other citys but the rent was reasonable and there were deals in clubs that were reasonabley priced too. Going out in the week was cheaper than the weekend though but we didn't get much of a chance to do that.
Derby has quite a few bars but not many night clubs to go to. It was however a great night out whenever we went out with the students/full timers so that didn't matter if there wasn't much of a choice of where to go to.
The sports and social club has sports clubs on most days of the week and there are regular opportunities to try things on weekends such as paintballing, clay pigeon shooting, rock climbing and caving.
Placement Year (10 Months+)
15th May 2013