Industrial Trainee - Pfizer Innovative Health - Marketing Review

I had a really great time at Pfizer, I was given plenty of responsibility and challenges, and I had a really friendly and supportive team to help guide me through my year. My only negatives are that I did not have any opportunities to use my language skills, but overall I learned a lot and gained a lot of practical experience.

My team and wider department were so supportive and friendly. All my ideas and opinions were valued and in some instances colleagues thought I was a permanent member of staff not an intern.

With larger projects I received plenty of support and guidance from colleagues. At Pfizer there is "no such thing as a silly question" - cliche but so true. I felt comfortable to ask questions even with senor colleagues present. Pfizer really appreciates colleagues who use their own initiative, and a lot of the smaller projects I was involved with were self-initiated.

Varied, my main projects were either really busy or not busy as I relied a lot on other colleagues who had other priorities, in order to fill gaps my manager and I agreed other smaller tasks and activities to fill any other time. However this was mainly due to restructuring that affected my role which meant I had to pick up other responsibilities.

I was treated like a full-time employee and therefore had to take responsibility for my projects.

I have learned a lot of digital skills and developed a much better understanding of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. This practical insight will be really valuable in my final year studies and future career.

Pfizer has flexible working and a large field-based contingent so the office could be very quiet or very busy depending on who was in. Everyone was very friendly and positive and there were lots of events each week.

Very well organised - I didn't have any problems.

I attended numerous training courses and external meetings including a large medical congress in London. This really helped my personal development and I learned a lot about the industry in general.

Pfizer has recently implemented a graduate scheme which I will definitely be looking in to. Pfizer emphasises personal development and allows colleagues to change roles regularly or even complete "secondments" or internships in other departments.

The office location means you have to drive/get a taxi which is a problem if you want to go out for drinks after work. However, my team regularly had social events both formal and informal, and the interns regularly got together outside of work for socialising.

Housing in Surrey is quite expensive, especially if you live closer to London, however other than that the cost is average for Greater London/South East England.

Lots of restaurants and bars in Epsom, and easy train line in to London. I lived in Ewell which has little nightlife but is in Zone 6 so I could get in to London relatively cheaply.

There are various sports clubs available through the gym, and volunteering opportunities, but not many.