Industrial Placement Review

As a first job, it was challenging but as a person who is more hands-on, working in the lab was great for me. I gained and developed a huge arsenal of lab skills, used many different instruments and specialist programmes that I'd have never imagined I would.

Everyone was very supportive and working in a small group allowed everyone to know each other much better. As GSK tries to implement an open office culture, we could easily talk to anyone! The culture in general is rather relaxed.

In the first 3 months, I was given constant support when I needed any. Moving on, I was given more independence to plan my own experiments after discussing objectives and milestones we should ideally achieve. The downside was that as I was my manager's first IP, so he was initially a bit distant but subsequently learnt how to manage me as a student, it was great also to watch him develop in terms of managing me, oddly enough!

I could have times where I sat at my desk analysing data for the entire week, or times where I was in the lab all week, almost 9-5 and potentially more. I tend to push myself, so its mostly up to oneself how much they'd like to do each day. Most students work 9-5 with 40 minute lunch breaks.

It differs from individual to individual. I wasn't given much responsibility apart from my own project and taking care of/cleaning up anything that I use. However, later into the placement when I got more familiar with things, I started helping out in managing certain instruments in the lab, ordering supplies when needed etc.

I have learnt many science and lab-based skills which I would have not done, or done in detail in university. Apart from that, I also learnt how to maintain specific instruments and use multiple specialist programmes throughout the year. Meeting and networking with my colleagues was also a great part of the experience as they would share their insights and experience to you on the options one would have in academia or industry.

My office was very relaxed but could also be very tense when busy, however, as a team we supported each other and it was always good fun. We would step in for each other when needed.

Quite well planned, I had a good project as well that spanned both biology and chemistry. We had training the first week and subsequent more specific on the job training by our individual supervisors.

As a student, I was one of the luckier ones to have had attended at least 3 or 4 meetings and conferences outside of GSK, as a courtesy of GSK. Usually IPs only get to attend 1-2 conferences/meetings or if so would have to go in their own time.

Very! I am currently discussing with my supervisor if it may be possible to return to do a PhD with them.

Yes, for my group of students (biology based), there were outings every week or perhaps even more!

As it is near London, costs are slightly higher than those up north. In Stevenage, socialising was mostly between students. There were sports events in the company gym which also a lot of people joined!

I don't really go out at night with others, but IPs do tend to organise loads of events, house parties, outings etc. So, it probably isn't that bad.

There were events at work which were good fun, sometimes with competitions, on one occasion there was something resembling a carnival. There's also the company gym which has quite some activities ie: football, netball etc.