Analytical Chemist Review

I enjoyed the environment and the people, but I would say that an Analytical Chemist job was not the best for me.

I was incorporated very well into the group and made to feel at home automatically

Management were there when I needed them, but they left it to supervisors to do the day to day help.

Certain weeks were far busier than others due to the high and low production levels, so some days got quite hectic, and some days were slower. The majority of the time things were reasonably balanced.

GSK operate under harsh auditing systems, so all new employees (student or otherwise) have to be trained fully (and slowly) so spent a lot of time learning.

Laboratory techniques and experience were invaluable, though I would say that it wasn't the best placement for my theoretical knowledge

The majority of the people were very sociable, and the group I was in had a lot of fun; it was enjoyable.

It could have been better, as it felt like I was a normal employee and not able to experience all the different aspects of the job.

GSK were willing to offer me every possibility going, even to the extent that I got an extra training course and qualification whilst there, like what a normal employee would get. Sometimes when time was limited it was not recommended, but if there was something you really wanted, you could push for it.

Analytical chemist jobs are rare within the company as it is down-sizing, so the fututre opportunities are not great, especially as the site I worked on will be closed by 2012!! However, the placement will give me a better chance of getting a job with GSK than if I didn't do it.

I played sport with some of my group and with other employees on the site which was good. I was very good friends with the two other placement students on the site, as we trained together at the start for three weeks; am still in touch with them afterwards.