Category Analyst Review

I really enjoyed my time working at GlaxoSmithKline. The atmosphere within my office was really relaxed and open, and highlighted the importance of working somewhere with a good company culture! The managers within Consumer Healthcare UK (CHUK) were very supportive and really encouraged me to develop my skills and abilities, and so I was given some great opportunities!

The company culture within CHUK meant that everyone socialised with each other, and the hot desking policy in my office meant that I would sit with someone new everyday. My department organised loads of social events, including leaving drinks, birthday meals, conferences and charity events, all of which have allowed me to interact and socialise with my colleagues outside of the working environment and make some great friends.

My manager was really great. She was really supported, and we organised weekly meetings to catch up on what I'd been doing that week and new projects that she had arranged for me.

The role was very varied. Some days I would be really busy, and others I would be quite quiet. I was very rarely too busy or bored though. When I was less busy I would do other jobs like organising my folders, catching up on emails and other less important work.

I was given some pretty good responsibility. I worked as a Category Analyst and was given the responsibility to complete a full range review for Co-op Pharmacy. I then presented my recommendations to a room full of Co-op Pharmacy managers, including the the senior buyer and senior marketing manager. According to my manager, I was the first placement student in my department to present to a customer, so I was very proud of my achievements.

I gained a good insight into how an international organisation is run and learnt some invaluable skills and important knowledge. Doing a placement like mine has also given me some really good examples of competencies to give during future interviews, so this will hopefully help me in getting a graduate job soon!

Like I said before, the atmosphere was great. Everyone was really friendly and everyone got on well. It was a fun place to work.

Pretty good. I was pleased that GSK paid for all my travel and even for a hotel when I came down for my interview. They also helped with other stuff such as getting a house, and the support from the previous placement students was invaluable.

My individual manager was great, and she spent a lot of time focusing on my training and development. Obviously, this would depend on who your line manager was, but most people who worked in my department were always willing to help you progress and learn.

As a result of my placement I was fast tracked through the graduate scheme application, and put straight through for a telephone interview. So the outlook is pretty positive.

Yeah definitely. There was loads of events organised by GSK and as there were over 60 placement students at GSK House, there was plenty of nights out organised.

The area of Brentford was pretty poor for socialising, but with a 30 minute tube journey you could be in central London. The cost of living was also very high, my rent literally doubled from where I was living at uni (Newcastle) to where I lived during placement.

Like I said, not great. But the transport links were good to take you into central London.

Yeah, there were quite a few sports teams, and people were always inviting us placement students out for a drink after work.