Industrial Trainee Synthetic Organic Chemistry Review

I enjoyed all aspects of this placement, i.e. laboratory work, level of responsibility, team work within the project team, personal contact with the colleagues.

I felt valued as every other employee, not as "only" a placement student. I have been respected in the same way and invited to all social events which made me feel part of the group.

I was given as much support as I needed to successfully work on my project and I was also guided for not directly project related tasks. At the same time I had a lot of freedom to try own ideas and to organise my work. Overall I have learned a lot from my supervisor: scientific work, personal skills, presentation skills and autonomy.

During my placement there was no opportunity to get bored, because I always had a long list of work to do. But this does not mean, that I was too busy, because I was free to plan my work in order to fit it into my working hours and the deadlines were set in a way that overtime was not needed to complete the tasks.

The level of responsibility was high, because I have been working on one of Pfizer's portfolio projects. Still I haven't had the same responsibility as other employees, because in the end my supervisor had takes the responsibility for my work, but he has to rely on the results I tell him.

As my placement took place in exactly the field I would like to work in later, I have learned a lot that will help me later on. For example I have gained experience in working efficiently and safely in the laboratory, I have progressed in how to work scientifically, I have used a lot of specialised equipment and worked together with experts. In addition to this, I have developed communications skills, presentation skills and a professional attitude. All of this will help me not only during my further studies but in any job that involves chemical research or development. More specifically, I have also been able to get an overview over how a pharmaceutical company works, who does what and which different types of jobs chemist can do in this environment.

The overall atmosphere was friendly. In the office, most conversations were fact based and project related, but more personal conversations took place in the laboratory area and the coffee area.

Organisation was seamless and reached from a good introduction day (getting to know the other placement students, safety guidelines) in the beginning over a well organised training and introduction to the project to a final poster session in which every placement student presented their year's work.

Project related training involved training to a lot of specialised equipment and use of professional software. Personal development training involved presentation training and the possibility to take part in different conferences. All placement students were also able to get to know each other's departments, projects and work place.

As Pfizer Sandwich is a small site, there are very few vacancies and it is rare that a new job is created.

Yes, placement students met up for lunch and organised some events and evenings out together. Colleagues as well privately organised events together.

Rent is about 400 £/month all bills included. For people not living directly in Sandwich (small town), they either need a car or have to pay the bus fares. Socialising was more related to activities in associations or privately organised parties, so that cost for this were low.

There is not much Nightlife except for Canterbury, which is a university city.

As I love playing and singing music, I had a lot of opportunities taking part in an orchestra or a choir.