Bioscience Sandwich Student Review

AstraZeneca provide really excellent supervision and the opportunity to have ownership over a project. This placement has really encouraged and enabled me to develop a wide variety of skills from specific scientific techniques to soft skills like communicating my data.

You are really made to feel like the work you are producing is making a difference and colleagues give you responsibilities and rely on you.

My supervisor scheduled more formal one to one meetings with me once a week which was great for discussing what data I had produced the following week and what my next steps were but as well as this he was always happy to answer any questions I had at any time.

At some points you will have ridiculously busy days followed by quiet days but that's science. As a whole I always had work to be getting on with and I enjoyed being busy which you definietly will be.

You are given a project to work on that is mainly yours and then you may also be asked to help out other peoples projects. You are made to feel like the work you're doing is really important and people are really pleased to have an extra pair of hands.

I am 100% more prepared for my final year of my degree then before doing this placement - I will now be able to make informed decisions about what I want to do next. As well as this I have developed so many skills which will really benefit me in whatever I go on to do next.

The office is responabily quiet to allow people to focus but everyone is really friendly and there is a great atmosphere in the break out area where everyone makes an effor to have lunch together.

There were a few bits where I felt like I wasn't completely sure what the plan was - mainly at the begining where people are getting set in. Overall however it was excellent my team had already planned what projects they would want me to work on and my supervisor was really excellent. There is a familirisation day to introduce you to the other students on the placement before you start. There is also a group set up for 'early talent' at the company who organise excellent events that allow you to meet other students your age.

You have basically unlimited resources to use - colleagues commit time to your training. You are invited to any meetings relevant to what your role as well as wider meetings to increase your understanding of other aspects of the company. I was able to attend careers seminars and post doctral symposiums. I was even lucky enough to visit the AstraZeneca site in Sweden.

I think you would be expected to do further training before coming back to the organisation but this would be expected from most pharmaceutical companies. I think applying after you've gained a PhD for instance you would be at an advantage having already worked there.

There was a great social side to the job - from nights out with other colleagues to all the placement students getting together. As well as organised trips e.g. to the races or punting in Cambridge.

Cambrideg is definietly not the cheapest place to live but it is affordable with your wage.

If you're used to a big city nightlife it's not the same as that but there are many trendy bars and pubs and lots of fun things to do.

Colleagues organised a range of activities outside of work and it was all really fun. Some included Cambridge science festival, charity walks etc.