Analytical Scientist Review

I really enjoyed my placement, the work was varied and engaging. Also there was lots of opportunity to learn about the company and the projects and science going on in other departments and teams across analytical chemistry. There was a great sense of community among the other placement students which helped me to settle into the job quickly.

I feel that my colleagues really value me as a person as well as part of the team. I was trusted to do real lab work soon after my training with members of my team supervising early on. My opinions were always valued and taken on board with regards to team meetings.

Early on in the placement I was given a lot of training and guidance by colleagues. My supervisor was really helpful at the start putting the work into context. Later in the placement I received very little guidance and support and I had to ask to receive one to one meetings with my manager and supervisor.

Most days I was really busy with lots of work going in on in the team and my work making a significant contribution. However there were periods where there was less work and I was not busy, it would have been nice if I could have been resourced to another team in these times.

I was given a lot of responsibility during my placement in the form of a project. There was little to no input from others in the week by week direction and execution of the project and I was trusted to take the experiments in the way I thought best in order to investigate the best outcome.

I learnt and practiced a lot of soft skills in the duration of my placement including presentation skills as well as report writing. I also had the opportunity to lease with contractors and external suppliers which developed my communication skills in terms of professional calls and hosting day long meetings.

The atmosphere in my office was the perfect balance of studious with injections of fun. We had short cake breaks together once or twice a week and everyone got on really well. There was a very accepting attitude where it is good to ask questions and share expertise to those who are doing things for the first time, not just students. I have really liked it .

The placement was really well organised with all the year placement students, graduates and apprentices starting at the same time so that for the first couple of weeks of training we were all together. This really helped us to get to know each other and fell at home in the company. The pay was less well organised but that was the agency’s fault not the company.

AstraZeneca encouraged us to attend sessions where company strategy and business background were discussed as well as science. There was also opportunities to attend learning and development days that enhanced soft skills. However, as we were not permanent staff a lot of the careers advice, interview and CV sessions were unavailable to us.

Personally the location of the sites mean that I will not be apply for a position here. There has, however, been opportunities to apply for graduate positions. The perks of permanent staff and the opportunities they are given for secondments make AstraZeneca a really attractive place to work as everyone who works here seems really happy to work here.

There is a great social scene, the students always do lots together and the colleagues are also sociable, however the students mainly stick together.

It is great in Macclesfield, it is reasonably cheap and although it is a small town there is quite a lot to do.

the one club that there is is great! But this is not a placement if you like to party, unless you live an hour away from work.

There are choirs, sports teams, walking clubs and many other activities to get involved with through work as well as bands, scouts etc outside of work.