Emerging Markets and Australasia Review

At GSK you get experiences, immense responsibility and amazing networking opportunities to help you in the future. Every day is different as the projects and tasks tend to range quite significantly allowing you to learn a new set of skills and expertise. As an intern you are treated like a permanent member of staff right away.

The colleagues treat you like a fellow member of staff of the same level, allowing you to feel integrated and valued from day one. Everyone is helpful and available to offer you help whenever needed ensuring that you always know what is expected and if not, free to offer advice and information.

There is always managerial support and guidance whenever requested or needed, it must always be taken into consideration however that your manager/supervisor is extremely busy. Therefore, I only ask(ed) for help when absolutely necessary which has also improved my independence significantly. When a task is given it is important to know exactly what is expected from your manager, therefore they are always free to give an guidance at GSK.

Extremely busy, but not in an overwhelming way. My work days range but there is always a task or project available to work and make progress on every single day. Working in an embedded role ensures a complete variation of tasks and projects from project work, spread sheets, presentations, conferences and workshops.

A lot more responsibility than anticipated, This ranged from giving presentations, setting up and guiding meetings and conferences, working on confidential projects or contacting staff members within the leadership team. You are treated like a valued staff member, therefore the responsibility given is as if you are a member of an extremely high level within the company.

New skills were adapted which is helpful for future job roles and future experiences. For example, training on certain areas will be unnecessary in future roles as I may have already had this training or may have completed a workshop or course on a specific area putting me at an advantage.

The general atmosphere is relaxed which allows a constant work flow. The floors are operated on a hot desking process which allows you to integrate as a department and meet new people throughout the whole year, which also improves networking opportunities. This can improve future opportunities without you even realising it.

I was able to spend a couple of weeks with my predecessor, this is called the 'handover period.' The allows you to integrate within the work environment without feeling overwhelmed. You are also given a 'handover document' which outlines the structure of your year, and different tasks, responsibilities and projects that may be expected of you while on the placement. This really allowed me to understand and get to grips with what I may be doing before I had properly started, allowing me to carry out any research or prepare early on in my placement.

Always training opportunities, which therefore improves your development. This is taken very seriously within GSK as there are always conferences, work shops both in person and online always available throughout the whole year.

Graduate programme available, does not necessarily have to be based on what your current placement is on

There is a scheme run by the industrial placement students called 'IP Unite' which allows all sorts of social events, networking events and overall great opportunities for the intern. There are elections for the roles within IP Unite including chair person, development lead, social lead etc. You do not have to be a leader, you can just be in the committee for assistance or you can just go along to the events put on by IP Unite.

I commuted, but the area (West London) is very expensive.

Would usually commute into central London, as West London is very expensive and there tends to be more events student friendly more central into London. The GSK specific events are more local and but these locations are well thought out making it cost friendly, and travel is usually accommodated for at least one of the ways. There is always information on near by accommodation and travel routes given also which is extremely helpful.

A lot of social events, for interns and to do with colleagues. There is also a lot of outside workshops available which you are encouraged to go to as well as various charity projects and events. Including the Well Child awards, charity runs and bike rides, Save the Children events and Comic Relief.