Resource and Portfolio Analyst Review

I very much so enjoyed my placement year at GSK. At times when the work load was not as much as I would have desired, I had the opportunity to take on other roles and projects alongside it. I was able to network, build new working relationships and gain many new skills.

I believe that the working environment in GSK is such that everyone feels included within the team and valued by their colleagues. There was a strong work ethic in my team that was built upon by regular team meetings and outings. However, as with any job, there are always people within the team that you do not get on with as much.

My line manager was fantastic. Not only did he offer daily guidance and support with work related to my role, he was also on hand to help me with any university choices and finding extra work. I was also given the opportunity to work independently, leading meetings and discussions in order to develop my skills and build upon my confidence.

I feel that I was very busy at the beginning of my placement whilst I was getting a hang of things. After this, I found myself having too much free time that I was struggling to occupy. This picked up near the end of the year when I was preparing handover documents for my replacement.

My role was very limited in the sense that there was not much that I could take ownership or responsibility for. This is one aspect that I was pretty disappointed with as I enjoy 'running the show'. However, I believe that in a different role, this may not have been the case.

I was very disappointed with how little the placement year had to do with not only my degree but any degree as it was a very admin based role. However, I used my own initiative in order to find work that would help my development. However, I have undoubtedly developed invaluable skills such as confidence through my interaction with colleagues.

The general atmosphere in the office was extremely pleasant. There was a calm feel to the work area and the work ethic is very good. Not only myself, but it seemed others also enjoy the work environment. The office has many amenities including shops, canteen, hairdresser etc.

I believe that the placement was very poorly organised. Everyone I spoke to agreed in saying that the roles were extremely admin based. Roles were not matched to qualifications or degree subject. Rather, they seem to have been picked out very randomly which narrowed prospects for development.

I did not receive any paid training or development opportunities. This is something that I was very annoyed about as I would have liked to gain some PRINCE2 training qualifications or similar that would have helped me to shine in a crowd of other candidates in future jobs.

I do not think that I would go back and work for GSK based on my experience here. This may however be purely down to me being placed in a very boring role. I do not see many progression opportunities within the company and this is something that is very off-putting for me.

There is a very strong social scene amongst fellow placement students as there was a very good IP Unite team. Regular outings were planned in the evenings and some on weekends. There is also a similar feel within the team of colleagues as they also went out for many nights out.

Not sure as I wasn't engaged in such.

Not sure as I wasn't engaged in such.

There were many charitable opportunities to get involved in outside of work whilst on placement. For example, Orange Week (raising funds for save the children), bake sales, sponsored sports days etc. These are activities that I was actively involved in and enjoyed a lot