Industrial Placemet -Sensory & Product Understanding Review

I honestly couldn’t have wished for a better placement, I have spent the last year working with a fantastic team and have been amazed by all the opportunities open to me as an IP. I would recommend a placement at GSK to any student who is considering an industry year.

Right from my very first day my colleagues made me feel at home and comfortable asking them any questions I may have. We often had celebratory team lunches on occasions such as birthdays, and it was really lovely to be able to get to know them in an outside work environment.

Having the opportunity to work across category’s enabled me to work with a multitude of people including having different managers. This was great as I felt supported with all the work I did. It was also a good experience to be managed by different people as there are differences and it was good to see the different ways of working.

Due to the nature of the work I did work came in peaks or troughs. Sometimes I would be working on several concurrent projects and other times just one or two. Although stressful at times this did not cause me much of an issue as I always felt supported by everyone.

About halfway through my placement I was much more comfortable within my role and as a result given more authority. This even enabled me the opportunity to travel to the US site to conduct research at our sister facilities there. Although daunting at first it was fantastic to be trusted and manage a project.

Although it sounds silly I learnt skills such as how to use outlook, book meetings and other soft skills that are necessary foundation to most jobs. I also improved my confidence, presentation skills and communication skills through my placement. These are all vital for any job and will help hugely for my last year of studies.

I worked at 2 different sites during my placement which were very different but equally great. At one of the sites I was based in a really small office with my team and another. This was great as I got to know everyone there really well. The other site was bigger but still a relatively small site.

There was not really a plan for my placement but this is because studies crop up and there can be a lot of changes. However, when a colleague needed help with a study or had too much on I got involved and even lead a few studies. I always felt that I was thought about before each study started and whether it would be relevant for me to work on.

Throughout the year GSK gave many opportunities such as careers talks from people in the company who have had highly successful skills. I was also fortunate enough to volunteer at the GSK IMPACT awards which I got to meet some of the amazing charities GSK are supporting here in the UK.

I would love to be able to work at GSK again after my year as an IP. The future leaders programme there is fantastic and hugely competitive due to this. Even if I did not get on I can definitely see myself returning to the company at some point in the future.

GSK has an IP run society for IPs which is designed so other placement students can get to know one another. They also held events such as a Christmas party and a boat party in summer. It was nice to be able to socialise with some people more in my age group.

The downside to a placement at GSK is chances are you will be based at GSK House. The company headquarters which are based in London. London is notarially expensive, especially as a student. On the flip side you do get to live in London for a year and there’s definitely lots to do!

Although GSK house is in London, it is west London and a considerable way out to central. There are a few good local pubs which we frequented more often and saved going to central for special occasions. Again this wasn’t too much of an issue as I would not go clubbing with my colleagues.

Just to list a few, whilst on placement I: Volunteered at careers fairs at uni and colleges Set up netball and rounders for IPs and played weekly Was on the IP unite committee Volunteered at the GSK IMPACT awards Hosted and went on site tours Went to the Christmas party and team lunches/drinks