Formulation Chemical Engineering Review

I cannot thank MSD enough for allowing me this fantastic opportunity. I have loved working for such a great organisation and my colleagues have been incredibly supportive and have enabled me to develop both personally and professionally. All the people/students I have shared this experience with have been incredibly fun to work alongside and I have been able to gain a lot in terms of knowledge and personal development during this past year.

In all seriousness, the people who work at MSD are the nicest people you could hope to work with. You are not treated like a student, you are treated like an equal and you are never looked down on by anyone. You are viewed and treated as an asset to the business and contribute meaningfully to its operation and success.

I could not have asked for better support from my supervisors during this past year. They are hugely approachable, friendly and caring people and I have been able to approach them with any issues or queries I may have whenever necessary. Regular meetings with my manager have allowed me to discuss the progression of my work and experience all through the year and just like the rest of my colleagues, they have showed the best care and desire to guide and support me during my time at MSD.

As would probably be expected, a lot of my time during the first couple of months or so was spent getting up to speed on company procedures with regards to safety and work activities, but following on from this, I was steadily eased into work and other necessary training whilst a good balance of work was maintained over the course of the year. My main project occupied a big part of my time at MSD and involved a significant amount of work with regards to preparation, equipment training, processing and data collation and analysis.

My work at MSD has had significance, importance and meaning. My main project this past year focused on minitablets, an area of increasing importance within paediatrics. The work I have undertaken has significance not just within MSD, but within the pharmaceutical industry in general and the results obtained from it will benefit and steer future work in this area. Prior to this project, I became entrusted with carrying out other important work unsupervised, including collation and storage of official documentation and preparation of powder-filled capsules within the laboratory.

Through my project work, I have been able to develop significant technical skills and have received training in the safe operation of two separate tablet presses (the Korsch XP1, a single station press, and the Korsch XL100, a multi-station press). I am now comfortable with using both of these machines correctly and safely. More generically, I have been able to develop my self-confidence (with regards to working with the necessary equipment, procedures and substances) and independence (through project ownership and becoming entrusted with working unsupervised).

Due to the incredibly friendly nature of all colleagues, the atmosphere in the office was really great. It was evident that everyone was comfortable with working with each other and enjoyed each other's company. Any time I needed guidance or information from a colleague, I was readily able to approach them. I was able to fit in very well with my colleagues and was able to enjoy plenty of laughs inside and outside of work.

Before the student I took over from left the organisation, there was a handover period of around 1-2 weeks, during which she was extremely helpful with setting up necessary computer software access, showing me around the department and discussing the work she had been involved with. Also really useful were the opportunities presented by the Human Resources department to the whole group of students throughout the year to develop our presentation and interview skills as well as provide feedback on our placement experiences in order for the scheme to be improved further in the future.

It was very evident to me that my colleagues had the desire to support me as much as they could during my placement year. I was given all necessary guidance until I felt comfortable and became entrusted with undertaking work unsupervised. These desires of my colleagues were backed up by a framework of training procedures which is used with all new employees within the department. The incredibly supportive nature of my colleagues has been an enormous aid during my time at MSD and I am eternally grateful to them for this. It has allowed me to develop my self-confidence and independence in addition to specific training I have undertaken.

I would say the future employment prospects are fairly good.

There were brilliant socialisation opportunities outside of work and as a result, I felt very integrated with my colleagues and the other students. The other students and myself would sit together at lunch time on a daily basis and there were many social events organised amongst us throughout the year, leading to us developing strong bonds within the group. Monthly social events within my department also allowed me to integrate similarly with my colleagues. I have absolutely relished the social opportunities I have had this year and this has been a huge part of what has made this year enjoyable.

All costs were at a fair level. Of course,it does help to share a flat/house with other students to help bring individual costs down.

I am not the sort of person who participates much in stereotypical nightlife activity. However, I lived in Hertford during my placement year and Hertford during the day and night time can be two very different places! There was a club directly opposite the flat across the road which often seemed busy. Also, other opportunities are opened up by the fact that Hertford to London on the train is only around 40 minutes.

As mentioned, there was a great amount of social events that regularly took place outside of work. A significant example of this was the Christmas social event which was attended by my department and others based in the same building and involved Christmas dinner at a restaurant in Hertford and a quiz which myself and a colleague put together! There is also plenty of sports opportunities and I myself played badminton throughout the year. Another great convenience is the close proximity of London to the area, which led to social events taking place there too.