Placement Student Review

It has been extremely challenging and not what I had expected at all. I have lived with other placement students which has been great but the actual placement I have not enjoyed as much as I haven't been given things to do or pushed to learn new techniques, or listened to when issues about this have been raised.

Some colleages were extremely supportive and inclusive, but there is quite a clique-y group within the team who were not supportive in my training or helping me to learn, and quite often made me feel left out of the team. My manager valued my project work but I am unsure how valued I as a person was in my team.

On a personal level I was supported a lot, I felt I could talk to my manager and they were supportive with my exams. However, the team in general had a lot of communication issues and my supervisor would often speak to someone about my work without involving me. With my project I was given a lot of guidance, but when there wasn't much work to do with this I was left bored and without much training so was unable to help elsewhere. This was an issue I had raised on multiple occasions.

Usually not very busy. It took a while for training to take place so I could not help with routine work within the group and spent a lot of time revising for exams rather than doing anything placement related. I often asked for things to do but wasn't given anything.

I tried to push for more responsibility in my placement but it was difficult as I wasn't trained on a lot of equipment, saying that with the method development in my project I was given a lot of freedom to direct it (even though there wasn't much to be creative with).

I have learned how to address concerns in a team and be more upfront, even if it did not always lead to anything. I am more confident in my own abilities now, but cannot say that my practical skills have vastly improved. My training was poor and I tried to push for more training and help but with very little success. I have been assured this will not happen again with a placement student. I have learned to be more independent and resilient, and have figured out which direction I'd like to take my career in which otherwise I wouldn't have gotten.

Not the most comfortable office to work in, you often felt like you couldn't speak to people or be too loud even though this was not part of the company's values. Sometimes it could be a bit more lively and fun, with people chatting or bringing in cake but most of the time it was very work-orientated.

It was not well organised. When I started it took months to train me to do experiments and I spent most of the time reading articles to pass the time. The actual project was very good and successful, it just took too long to get started and outside of my project work I was effectivelky useless to the team for my lack of training.

I was allowed to attened a training course which was very good, there was not much personal development in terms or training opportunities even just within the team. It was very hit and miss what training I got depending on who did it, and I do not feel I have learnt an awful amount this year.

The organisation itself seems to be extremely rewarding to work for. It is still very corporate, but is driven around scientific discovery and tries to reward scientists for their work. The company is doing exciting work and has many many opportunities to enter at different levels, but I do not think it is the path I'd like to take my career in.

Extremely good social scene with fellow students - there is a group for young employees such as PhD students, IP students, post docs, and young scientists within the company which organise good events and keep everyone in touch with each other. Within many teams the social scene was good, mine was not the best.

Socialising could get quite expensive. There are a lot of free things to do in the city such as museums and exploring the city in general, but the city itself is expensive to eat and drink in. This is helped by the 'amaze card' the company offers, with lots of food and drinks discount in the city as well as free punting. The cost of living was very high.

There are a few clubs, lots of pubs and bars, night life wasn't great but usually you're too tired at a weekend to want to go out anyway. There isn't a huge amount of choice but its good being close to London if you wanted a really good night out. The clubs aren't awful if you have good company.

There is a huge amount of work related and non-work related opportunities in the city, many sports clubs and gyms and cycling clubs etc to get involved in. Lots of open mic nights and things like that. Part of the 'amaze card' also gives opportunity for discounted tickets to events around the area, even for festivals (such as lovebox half price!).