Industrial placement student Review

This placement has been very enjoyable. I have gained lots of laboratory experience and completed a research project for my Masters qualification which I have found interesting and challenging. My colleagues are very friendly and always willing to provide help if needed. The placement has also given me valuable insight into biomedical research in the pharmaceutical industry.

All of my colleagues were very friendly- I immediately felt welcomed and integrated into the group very quickly. My colleagues were always very helpful and supportive and I felt that I made a valuable contribution to the research of my team, with my own project and helping others with their work.

My supervisor was very supportive throughout my placement. From the beginning of my placement he scheduled fortnightly one-to-one meetings to discuss my progress and any issues I was having, and later we decided to have shorter more frequent (weekly) meetings. I could always approach my supervisor at any time when I needed support or assistance.

This varied- sometimes I didn't have much to do and felt quite bored, and at other times I was very busy, and sometimes this was a bit overwhelming. My supervisors were very supportive and did try to balance this as much as possible, by planning my work in advance and reducing my workload by working with me to complete my work if necessary.

I feel that I was given a reasonable amount of responsibility. My colleagues were always available to help me if necessary, however, once I was trained, I typically worked independently in the laboratory to complete my project and other experiments. I feel that this responsibility increased my self-confidence and made me feel like I was a valuable member of the group.

I have developed many transferrable skills which will benefit me in the future, for example, I gained experience in communication and presenting my work. I have also been provided with training in a wide range of biochemistry and molecular biology experimental techniques which will be very useful as I pursue a career in biomedical research.

The atmosphere in the office was very pleasant. I felt at ease in the office and enjoyed working there. My colleagues were all very friendly and got along very well. There was some negativity due to a number of colleagues leaving the company due to its relocation, but overall it was light-hearted.

I feel that my placement was very well organised. When I started, my project had already been planned out and the equipment I needed had been ordered and was ready to use. My supervisors provided me with a clear idea of what the project aims were, and I completed my project with plenty of time to write up my project report for university.

My supervisors and colleagues wanted me to get the most out of my placement, and asked me what I would like to do outside of my project and encouraged me to spend time doing things I wanted to do, such as learning about different experimental techniques and learning about the research going on in other departments.

I would consider applying for a job at AstraZeneca in the future because I have enjoyed working here and my colleagues have had successful careers. I think that the career prospects are best for graduates with PhDs and post graduate experience, however a fellow placement student has secured a job at AstraZeneca so this is not always the case.

I am good friends with my fellow placement students and frequently spend time with them outside of work. There were not many placement students at this site and I think that the social scene would probably be better with a larger group of students. My colleagues in the office regularly went to lunch together at work and also went out for meals/drinks outside of work to celebrate Christmas and birthdays etc.