IP Molecular Geneticist Review

I believe that the placement gave me invaluable technical and soft skills. I was involved in a very stimulating project, I presented at meetings with project partners, and really felt like I was contributing to GSK as a business. I really enjoyed the environment and the atmosphere in my department too.

I felt treated as part of the team from day 1. They gave me responsibilities, and listened to my opinion. They tried to meet some requests that I had, and they always helped me when I needed training or advice. They gave me the opportunity to present in meetings with team leaders, the head of the department and external partners.

Initially, I was trained by a single member of my team, who showed me all the basic techniques in the lab. They asked me if I felt confident carrying on the work, and I started organizing my own time and experiments. However, whenever I had a question or uncertainty about something I was able to ask for advice and get help.

I was fairly busy all the time. Sometimes, because of the nature of lab work, I would have to wait for materials to be delivered or for reactions to run. Therefore, I would spend more time at my desk. However, it was also easy to find myself something to keep me busy.

Because my team is fairly small, and it's the only Molecular Biology team on site, we have many projects going on, and I was able to take on one of them. My team trusted me with doing all the practical work, as well as presenting the results. I followed the project I was working on up to completion.

First of all, I gained many practical laboratory skills, from using the machines, setting up reactions, gaining confidence with the technology. As I will be working in a lab for my third year project, this will certainly help me. I felt very clumsy working in a lab in my first two years, I feel like I will be a lot more confident now. I would also like to continue my studies with Masters and PhD, which will definitely require lab work. I also became more aware of how industry works, and how research and industry are related.

The atmosphere in my office was relaxed and cheerful. We often end up chatting about general topics during breaks, and I got to know most of them very well. I would consider my team members as my friends. We saw each other also outside the office, for a meal or drinks.

I was initially supposed to join the Microbiology team in the Department. However, because they did not have much work to give me when I joined due to problems on site, I started working with the Molecular Biology Team. I loved working there, so my manager agreed for me to move there. The transition was quite smooth, but for a couple of months I was not sure if I'd have joined the Molecular Biology team full time or not.

I am not sure what is the investment from GSK. In my Department, they gave us opportunities of development, for example by allowing us to take part in careers fairs in a local school, and engage kids into pursuing a career in GSK and STEM subjects. I feel like most of the investment came from my Department only, rather than from above.

I do not think I would return in my Department, since it is quite small and I'd not be able to cover a position that I haven't already have. However, I could return as a graduate with direct entry in R&D, for instance, in GSK Stevenage, Ware or Weybridge sites.

As I already mentioned, the atmosphere in my Department was very friendly. I was able to bound with my colleagues, during breaks and meals out. I became very close with other placement students. Since our site is quite small, there are about 30 IPs, and most of us were frequently organizing meals out, outings, bbqs and even two weekend trips. I think the social scene was very lively.

I study in London, so I am used to very high prices. The South of England it is still quite pricey, in terms of costs of drinks or clubs, but much cheaper than London. Rent wise, Worthing is fairly cheap, especially if you can find a house to share with other colleagues.

Worthing is a small town, where most inhabitants are old. There are only three clubs, a few bars and pubs. However, since the IP group was so tight, we still had fun going out here. Also, it is only a short bus or train ride to Brighton, which has a great nightlife.

As I have already mentioned, there were plenty of occasions to socialise, both with people from my Department and with other placement students.