Industrial Trainee - Pfizer Innovative Health - Junior Brand Manager Review

My time with Pfizer has been incredible, I have had so many opportunities to learn new skills, travel, interact with different industries and take ownership of my own projects.

Pfizer has given me so many opportunities to develop my own skill set, but it is my team that has really made my time with Pfizer enjoyable. I have felt supported and valued at every step of the way, I haven't felt like 'the intern' at all this year. I've been a team member!

I have had two different managers during my placement due to organisational changes - this was a great opportunity to gain experience from two different managerial styles. I can safely say that both of my managers have been excellent, different in style but both incredibly supportive and always keen to develop my personal learning.

This is not an internship - it is a job. The first few months were training intensive and after Christmas the real work began! Of course there are times when work is slow, and times when work is manic - but in the main, I have been busy everyday, working on or leading my own projects.

During my placement I have had many opportunities to lead on my own projects, to lead teams and to create content. I have been pushed out of my comfort zone and given real responsibility, but never without supervison when i've needed it. I've always been able to ask for advice to guide my decsisions.

These are skills for life, it has been my first experience in an coorporate environment - ive learnt so much that will help me when im back at universtiy and beyond.

My office envrionment is friendly, its been really great. Its not exactly an office with the radio blaring and jeans to work kind of environment - but its nice. The dress code is office-casual most days and everyone is really friendly.

I worked in the then 'GIP Business' Unit and my placement was set up incredibly well! There were four interns in my office and when we arrived we each had our own desk set up with our own teams, this was great becasue we got to know our team really well, and became fully integrated and treated like actual colleagues, not interns. Although this was not a consistent approach across business units.

The company invested alot in my indvidual personal development, i have attended many 2/3 day training courses on topics such as "effective brand managment", "leading remote and virtual teams" and "managing the matrix". This is a large investment for Pfizer and has been great for me!

There is a Pfizer Grad Scheme new this year (2016) - and interns have been known to secure jobs with teams in the furture. Future employment prospects are not guarenteed, but I have the impression at the moment, that you get out of it what you put in. Use the year to make the right connections, really work on your personal development plan and give as much as you can.

At the Walton Oaks site there are about 30 Interns in 2016, so there is always someone to talk to. Most of us have lived with fellow placement students and have formed groups of good friends. My team, permenant colleagues are fantastic and work trips away are always a laugh!

Walton Oaks is in Surrey, I lived in Redhill which is more affordable and a 40 minute train from central London, the Salary may look like a lot, but if you want to get out and do stuff it costs money. But don't let that stop you, i've had a fantastic time and done so much with my housemates and friends from university.

Nightlife in the immediate area is pretty awful to be honest. In Reigate there are lots of lovely pubs and bars but not alot else. However - Epsom, Kingston, Clapham and Central London are a train ride or uber away - so if your willing to spend the money - its fantastic!

There are a few opportunities to get involved with- you can take 5 days of voluntary work if you want, and there are lots of opportunity to volunteer to organise Pfizer events.