Nutrition New Product Development Review

I was given real responsibilities and tasks that any other employee would be asked to conduct, and expected to deliver just as much also. I got to visit many sites across the country and met many great teams, both within and outside of GSK.

I was rewarded for my efforts on several occasions, whether it be with a high street voucher, bottle of champagne or just a simple thankyou!

GSK has its own Personal Development Plan scheme for all employees including industrial placement students, here I was able to note down and key achievements and goals that I wanted to work towards throughout the year. It was really useful as a progress monitor as well as a tool where I can look back to for key experiences and skills that I generated for preparation for interviews in the future.

Given the scale of the GSK business it is inevitable that at the beginning of the year there were times where I was extremely busy learning new skills and processes and also times where I had little project work to conduct, however in these times I conducted several online training courses through the MyLearning module system that GSK operates.

I was expected to deliver on projects and on new launches just as much as a normal employee for the tasks I was given. I was a key point of contact for several contractors to GSK where I managed their expectations and provided them with actions to be completed, within a given timeframe.

I have used the knowledge of my degree and past education in my time with GSK with the technical side of new product development but I have also picked up many soft skills and industry processes which can be carried forward into any role that I choose in the future. I have become proficient in my time management and resource management, being able to predict when my workload is to increase or decrease, therefore being proactive in dealing with the ebb and flow of workload. I have increased in confidence dramatically over the past 12 months, wherein I can now communicate constructively with a wide range of people from senior stakeholders to new starters to the business.

There is such a relaxed atmosphere where everyone is helpful and approachable. The hotdesking format means that you may be sitting next to senior members of staff one day or another student the next. Despite this atmosphere it is still an excellent place to concentrate and conduct your day to day activities.

Great. Your development is key.

My manager allowed me to visit conferences and training courses both online and physically. I got to visit many external sites throughout the network and learned a great deal even when away from my desk. I was given oppurtunities to present my work back to the team and a final presentation to the senior leadership team, this gave me lots of confidence and the feedback which I attained was invaluable and very constructive.

There is a wealth of knowledge and experience within the department and I would love to come back and learn more about other areas of the business to which I never imagined existed before I started in the company.

There was a good group of 10 students in our department and so we were able to learn together and socialise on weekdays aswell as weekends.

It is relatively expensive living in London, however it teaches you to prioritise and manage your cash, which I believe is a great skill in itself.

Around GSK House wasn't particularly lively, however the transport system nearby and in central London is perfect and so convenient, making it easy to go in and out of the city regularly.

GSK has many social things to get involved in and the IP network is very well managed with social events such as an end of year BBQ and boat party aswell as quiz nights and fund raising nights which you can get involved in on a weekly or monthly occurance.