Industrial Placement Student Review

Overall, I haven't really enjoyed my placement year, however this was due to my unique situation. In September, when I started, I didn't have a project supervisor for the first month and had to sit in another team's office for the first 9 months of placement sue to lack of space. Following a major reorganisation, I joined my supervisor's new team; this team was based on another site and so my supervisor moved sites, whilst I stayed in Ware to complete my project. Due to the reorganisation, the department had very little work that I could be involved in as none of the work is routine and requires a high level of experience. The work I have been involved in has been very interesting and if I had been busier then I would have enjoyed my year much more.

I think that my baking and STEM ambassador work has been valued much more than any science! Although I have had very little work, my team has been very supportive/encouraging/sympathetic of my situation and have always made time to help me when I have asked. My project has been difficult as it has produced qualitative results with very few conclusions, however we have still presented to colleagues into the UK and US, who all listened and contributed their thoughts. Some colleagues have gone beyond their responsibilities for us and have got us involved with extra projects, leading to invites to conferences which has been very useful to learn cutting edge collaborative science. Throughout the year, I have been involved with charity events and work experience and have felt my efforts were appreciated, as I have taken on extra responsibility for running tasks.

Since my supervisor has been based at a different site, we have rarely seen him and communication has been very one-sided. It often feels like we are an inconvenience to him and that we are nagging for extra work (although I have made every effort to ask other members of the team and other placement students too). Having said this, he has been very supportive of my university work and has proof-read my reports etc.

Due to the reorganisation, the nature of the department's work and my project, work has been very slow. My project has been shared with another student, which has meant that any project work has been completed quicker, leaving us with even less to do! The project is heavily reliant on other people, who I feel have consistently deprioritised the results, meaning that each step in the method development can take up to 2 months to complete. Members of the team have tried to be as supportive as possible by finding us side projects and allowing us to shadow their work, however this usually only lasts a few days to a couple of weeks.

Although we were given a lot of independence with our project to design, carry out and interpret our results, all work has been completed collaboratively with another placement student, which is unrealistic of a true working environment. This has been mirrored in side projects that we have completed. Despite completing work as a pair, we are often shown a method/technique once and then left alone, seeking assistance when we need it is our responsibility.

If I chose to pursue a laboratory based career, the experience that I have gained this year of using some of the basic analytical equipment should be really beneficial. Some of the practical work that I have done is likely to be useful for my final year university research dissertation, as is the university literature review skills that I have developed. Basic experience of a professional working environment should help me get a job in the future.

The atmosphere in the office where I was based for the first 9 months was poor, and due to the reorganisation, the number of people decreased from 11 down to 4 as people moved to their new teams. There was little conversation and people generally seemed unhappy with their jobs. Having moved to a new office, with the team that I work with, I feel much more positive. People are generally much happier and regular tea/cake breaks help to integrate the team. It's also nice to share an office with people that aren't middle-aged men!

Personally, I found the start of placement to be particularly poor. I was told on the first day that I hadn't got a supervisor or a project and after a few weeks was told that I would have to share a project. I also didn't have a desk within my team's office and had to sit in the opposite corner of the building, within a different team. Over the first few days, we initially didn't have laptops either.

Through other placement students, we got to visit a wide range of GSK sites, which was interesting to learn about the complete process. Our supervisor has strongly encouraged this. When we first started, there was a lot of basic safety and laboratory protocol training which will be useful for any future working environment. We have been on some external courses and conferences relevant to the work we have completed.

There are very few employment prospects, particularly for R&D scientists. The company has nearly 400 placement students, however takes only 60-70 people onto their graduate scheme (The Future Leaders programme). As the name of the programme applies, the scheme is designed for those who would like to become future managers, rather than scientists and for R&D, it is not possible to apply to most of the positions on the scheme without a Masters or PhD. The general feeling on the Ware site is that most people are over 35. There are very few recent graduates and there seems to be more emphasis on apprenticeships being the way into this career. If you did manage to get employed by the company, the wage and benefits package are really good.

Other than GSK-organised events, such as the Christmas party, there has been a few leaving parties etc with colleagues- as they are all older and have children! Ware has both a GMS and R&D sites, totalling around 40 placement students. Most students live in shared houses in Ware, with a minority commuting. The majority socialise well, often going to the pub quiz or gym together etc.

Compared to a rural upbringing and a northern uni, the cost seems expensive! House rent is between £300 and £600pcm, however the cost of living/socialising is much closer to the London prices (~£5 a pint). Ware is a small town and everything is within a 10 minute walking distance, however a car is needed for activities such as bowling or the cinema etc. Hertford is 2 miles away and is a nice walk down the river; Hertford is slightly larger and has a few more shops.There are 2 trains to London each hour, for £6 return, however it takes 45 minutes and the last train home is 11.40pm.

There are lots of bars/pubs in the town and you can get the 5 minutes train to Hertford for a club. There are lots of pub quizzes during the week. It is possible to go out in London, and an Uber taxi home works out at around £10 each, which isn't extortionate.

There is a subsidised gym, which runs free classes every lunchtime/evening and the sports & social club for GSK employees, which has various clubs and groups. Because Ware is such a small town, there isn't much to do at weekends unless you have a car or get the train into London.