Summer Placement student (Research & Development) Review

I definitely enjoyed it. I was entrusted with real responsibility from the beginning and really got to develop both my lab and scientific skills but also skills that reach wider than that. The people who work for Unilever really do have a unique manner about them, making it a friendly, approachable place to work. I liked everyone I came into contact and worked with and feel I have achieved a lot by the end of a 12 week placement. It is really rewarding to see work or projects you've contributed to either in a team or on your own come to life.

My colleagues in the office made me feel welcome and comfortable. I enjoy talking to them and have made many friends that I will keep in contact with. Colleagues who I have worked with in various teams have a made me feel valued, letting me know when I had done something well and making sure I felt able to approach them.

My line manager and supervisors got the balance perfectly. They made sure I was comfortable and felt confident in what I was doing but didn't micro manage me and allowed me to get on with it. It was a good balance between independence and input.

I was busy more often than I wasn't busy-especially the last 2/3 of the placement. This is good though as the days absolutely fly by because you're concentrating and being productive. I have achieved a lot in a relatively short space of time and it really does boost your confidence when you see what you are really capable of.

I was given a reasonable amount of responsibility. This made me feel valued and like a proper member of the workforce.

In terms of lab skills I have witnessed and carried out many techniques that I had previously never done. For example I had never previously carried out a Western blot before. I am about to begin my Masters year on an integrated degree where I will be using Western blots so the lab skills will help enormously! Other skills such as communication, time management and experience in an industrial background that I have developed here have boosted my confidence and will help in whatever career I chose to enter.

The atmosphere was light, friendly and comfortable. People often brought in food to share, went for lunch or tea together and helped each other with various tasks. It was a good environment to work in.

Overall the placement was set up well. I didn't receive details about my project until a couple of days before but that didn't hinder anything. Locations were only revealed 1 month before placements started but I understand that it is difficult to sort those details out too early. Aside from that everything ran well.

The company and my colleagues invested a lot of time training me using various software, networking and learning techniques.

I would definitely be up for working with Unilever after University. I will apply for the UFLP scheme. However I may chose to do a PhD so may perhaps apply for a job after I complete further training.

Port Sunlight is near Liverpool so there was a great social scene. Many other young people worked in the office and so it was very sociable.

Everyone knows that it's better value up North! The cost of living was fine and socialising, culture etc was all reasonable.

Liverpool was 20 minutes away making it very easy to go for food, drinks, clubbing etc.

Activities were advertised all over the building and on the inside Unilever web pages.