Fluids Intern Review

So far I have been really enjoying my internship with SGR and feel that I am gaining vital experience in cutting age science and engineering. All the software and equipment on site is state of the art and it is a pleasure to work with. I am also really enjoying interacting and gaining knowledge from the people I work with who have a wide range of experience in their field.

At SGR you are always awarded with positive encouragement for good work by your colleagues/co-workers making you feel like a vital member of the team. You can have a key role in large projects where you are giving a lot of responsibility and your input is highly valued. Furthermore colleagues always remember your name, even with 11 other new interns on the go at the same time.

I am always given great support by my manager/supervisor and I feel that if I ever have any questions or queries that I am able to come to him/her and ask for help. I never felt scared or nervous to speak with my manager/supervisor as he/she always was happy to see me.

It varies from day to day, some days I am much busier than others, but I am never bored, most of the time I have a project that I need to be working on. If I don't have something to be getting on with I just ask my colleagues/manager and I will be assigned something.

There have been stages where I have been given the responsibility to make decisions that will have a big impact in a project. Some of my decisions have brought about expensive orders for parts for equipment. I have had to test these parts to failure to satisfy the specifications of the project, which can be costly of the wrong part has been ordered.

I learnt a variety of things and developed myself both as a scientist and person whilst at SGR, however some work involved a knowledge of electrical/systems engineering, of which I wasn't familiar with but it was nice to have a break and learn/try something new. I think this was a big stepping-stone for me in terms of improving my CV and knowing what I want to do with my career.

I am in an nice spacious office with two other fluid interns, both from the same background (Chemistry). The atmosphere is a relaxed and hard working one. We all get on very well, let each other get our own work done and help each other with any problems we encounter.

Schlumberger is well organised and supportive. At the beginning of my internship, I was provided with paid accommodation at a B&B for the first two weeks. This was great as it gave me time to view potential houses and get settled in. They also paid for my travel from Northern Ireland over to SGR, which was a big bonus being a poor student!

They have invested quite a lot in me so far. In the first month of my internship myself and the other interns went on an all expenses paid trip to London to meet with the other interns from the other sites across the UK and to participate in team building exercises. Also I recently went on a paid two day programming conference on the programming language python to enhance my programming skills,

Very appealing, I would be delighted if could get a position as a field engineer with them.

Yes, I get on very well with the other interns. I eat in the company canteen everyday with them which is a very sociable atmosphere. We also meet up at the weekend and sometimes after work to socialise. Activities have included footgolf, cinema and bowling.

Expensive. The average price pcm was £500, which burns a hole in your pocket!

SGR is situated in Cambridge, possibly the worst nightlife in the UK. The clubs on a Saturday night will cost you around £10, drinks are a rip off and the atmosphere in the clubs are boring. If after a long week of work you really need a night out I would recommend the Regal (Weatherspoons) on a Friday night, free entry, cheaper drinks and there is even a dance floor!

I play at a local tennis club twice a week and golf once a week.