Industrial Placement Student Review

I had an amazing time here. I made great friends, everyone here is really friendly and I learned loads of new techniques. I had support throughout and was given really exciting projects.

I often felt valued especially as I had to present at project meetings every 2 weeks. I had to give training to others after I had developed techniques. I was often told by other members of the group how much I was valued. I was given a lot of responsibility and independence and therefore felt that I had a very important role.

Everyone was extremely helpful and no one would say no to offering you help or letting them shadow you. My supervisor was extremely patient with me during my early learning phase and would answer any questions I had regarding ANYTHING! My manager was also great with all the students. The students in the department (7 of us) have the same manager and separate supervisors. Our manager organised journal club meetings every month which gave us the opportunity to improve our presentation skills.

Some days I was very busy but others I want. It depends on how much you take on, every day is different. You control how much you work. With most projects you work independently bu your results contribute on a larger scale. Therefore, you have deadlines but you can plan how you will achieve them. One of my projects was entirely independent as I was developing a new technique. This meant I could do what I needed to for this project in my own time. If there ever is any free-time we had the opportunity to learn new techniques from people outside our group or even from outside the department.

Initially, as expected, I wasn't given very much responsibility but as I learned new techniques and became confident in conducting them I was given much more responsibility. My supervisor was off ill during the first few months and so I had a lot of responsibility to cover her work so we could continue to move forward and meet targets. After 3/4 months I was given the same amount of responsibility as most fo the people in my group.

I received more training than I thought I would. I thought I would mainly assist my supervisor and would be with her most of the time. This was not what happened I learned loads of techniques in a variety of different areas. These included flow cytometry, setting up and planning assays and basic mathematical and pipetting skills became second nature. I am sure these will be extremely helpful in the future as these are techniques used by research labs across the globe.

I was sat in-between all the other students so we had a great time. However, we did work in a very quiet office and a lot of the time when we were talking we felt like we were interrupting others. However, the scientists who work here are extremely hard working and so needed peace and quiet to get on with their work. The office, overall, was very friendly ad welcoming, everyone knows each other and we operate a policy called 'hot-desking' for all members of the staff in the office including department heads. This means you can change desk each day and no one has a specific desk. This is great if you fancy a change, want to move to a quieter area or nearer to someone you are working with.

The placement scheme is well-established and great for students. You are set with a specific project which enables writing your thesis to be much similar. you have a great support network and everyone is used to working with students. Everyone understands that you have never done work like this before and so at the beginning they are very patient. They then have a lot of trust in you to achieve your best and you are given the independence and responsibility you deserve, They organise a familiarisation day a couple of months before starting so you can meet potential flatmates and have a tour of the labs you will be working in.

I was given plenty of opportunity to train in new techniques. If you see someone working that you want to work with you can sim ask them if you can help out or shadow them. Most people are very accommodating and will always make time for you to have a chat if they are busy when you initially ask. Our manager understands that as a student on placement you want to learn as many new skills as possible and so he was happy to arrange day trips to other departments as part of our placement. I have learned a broad range of skills and have mastered a certain few.

I dont know, I would like to think that I have worked well and left a lasting impression which would aid my application if I did choose to return.

AMAZING! With over 300 students across the site, its like a big family. We have a group called IP Unite which is run by some of the students in Human Resources. They organise great events like a Boat Party down the river Thames, a BBQ and many other social events.

I lived in Hertford, a 10-minute train journey from Stevenage because the location is much nicer. I lived with one other girl in an amazing flat on the side of a canal. We have a giant balcony on the top floor and have had loads of summer BBQ's. we pay £600pm each including bills. People who stay in Stevenage have an approximate rent of £345pm not including bills and they share in a house of 4 people. If you want a cheap place, go for Stevenage. If you want to stay in a beautiful town go for Hertford.

Really good. There is a huge student body in the town as so many students are employed by GSK. There are two wetherspoons in the town and a great bar called Cinnabar which deos 2-4-1 cocktails on a Thursday. There are also a few clubs so the nightlife overall was good. Also, London is really close, just a 20min train journey. The last train home is 1.30am so thats alway an option.