Project Management Review

I really enjoyed my first placement this summer. I started with Mace for 3 weeks and then I was assigned with GSK Worthing to help them restart the facility for the rest 6 weeks. As a result I was exposed to a busy period where a lot of preparation was required for the CAG Audit and I had the opportunity to learn from mistakes. Finally, I really enjoyed attending GSK meetings as they offered a more interactive experience instead of just sitting at a quiet desk all day.

Most of the friends I used to spend my time with were graduate placement students from Mace and new GSK starters, but everyone offered help when needed, even though they were really busy. My GSK manager was really active and always making sure I learn the most during my experience with her. The Mace people working at GSK Worthing also organised dinners and BBQ events for the Mace team to catch up. Also other Chemical Engineers took me on a tour and gave a brief description on their daily tasks when I asked them.

Even though it took me sometime (3 weeks) to be assigned in an actual project (GSK Worthing) and several people from my department (project management), including my manager, where away for 2 weeks, I had support from the rest of the network and as a result I was able to successfully help and feel in the gaps. I was given a gift from the director for my hard work which gave me motivation to continue on the hard work. Also there was no problem from my Mace manager when I claimed either expenses or my annual leave. Finally, my Mace manager organised an event to educate all placement students on how to be credited by the IChemE, which shows that the company cares about our future

I was really busy during the period when most people were on holiday, as I was required to do tasks of 2 people in a day. My working hours were 8:30-17:30 but sometimes I had to leave later to make sure tasks don't go overdue. The latest I left was 19:30.

I would say medium responsibility during the 5/9 weeks and higher responsibility during the 4 remaining weeks.

I learned from mistakes and experienced a very independent life as I was asked to move to a new place and stay in a hotel for 6 weeks. My Mace manager assigned my to GSK Worthing in order for me to get a more related experience to my degree (Chemical Engineering), as there I was exposed to the actual site and could meet with other Chemical Engineers. I worked mostly with Excel and PowerPoint which was really helpful as I enhanced skills that I can use anywhere. Attending and actually following meetings from a project management point of view was the best skill I acquired and I can use everywhere. Following a routine of waking up very early everyday helped me a lot. Being responsible and chasing other people as well to be responsible was also very important.

Mace offices were really quiet, but everyone was friendly. GSK offices were definitely more interactive and busy and everyone was happy to help, even though most of them were really busy due to the Audit week. There was full access to a laptop, mouse handset, double screens, comfortable chair, appropriate light and ventilation.

Mace wasn't that organised with the summer placement but when I was assigned with GSK, things were more busy and interesting. Induction week was quite slow with GSK but when everything was set up, work was delivered quickly and successfully. However Mace organised an induction day and a Summer Placement review event and most of the time I had work to do.

My Mace manager assigned my to GSK Worthing in order for me to get a more related experience to my degree (Chemical Engineering), as there I was exposed to the actual site and could meet with other Chemical Engineers. They also organised an IChemE event to inform the graduates on how to get credited as Chemical Engineers, which shows that they care for our future even if we are just summer placements

After speaking to current graduates and employees, they seemed quite pleased with their experience at Mace. However, since I worked with GSK most of the time, I didn't have the opportunity to get a bigger picture about Mace as company. But everyone was really friendly and helpful throughout my placement. Mace is also a huge international company with so many sectors to work with so I will definitely apply when I finish my studies.

Absolutely. During the first week of the my placement, Mace organised a volunteering day, where we as new placements, had the chance to meet and socialise with current graduate placements. In fact most of them were working in GSK Worthing so it was really nice talking with them before I was transferred to GSK Worthing.

In London the cost of living and socialising is really high, but since I stayed with family that wasn't a problem. Also every time we went out with the company, they paid for food and drinks. Finally, all the trains and the hotels in Worthing were paid by Mace, as expenses

London is obviously really busy. You can spend the whole internship going out at a different place every night. On the other hand, Worthing is a really quiet place but I didn't have a problem with that. There were still some pubs and restaurants where we could go out and spend our evenings.

London is obviously really busy. You can spend the whole internship going out at a different place. On the other hand, Worthing is a really quiet place but I didn't have a problem with that. There were still some pubs and restaurants where we could go out and spend our evenings. Also the beach was really nice