Industrial Placement Student Review

Overall, I found out is not a career I want to go into after I graduate. I didn't find the field interesting, although I appreciate the variety which was provided by shadowing experiences and the wealth of scientific knowledge I was surrounded by. Ultimately a question of personal preference rather than placement quality.

Senior members of staff continuously iterated how important the results I was generating were to the overall project. They also helped put the findings into a wider clinical context, which made my work feel more meaningful. My immediate colleagues treated me as an equal whilst giving me advice in areas I was less experienced in.

Due to structural changes and personal differences within the management team I was moved from one supervisor to another halfway through the year. This left me in limbo for some months, during which I had very little guidance. Given that I had not yet been able to start a project fully before the change in management, I was on my own for some time. When I sought a secondary supervisor with lab experience (as my principal supervisor had very little) I got plenty of help.

The first three months were very slow and consistent primarily of reading papers. This was mainly due to the lack of supplies in the lab and the inability to start experiments as a result. When my project got going, some days would be non-stop but manageable, with some time left for data analysis on other days. The overtime on busy days compensated for the quiet first months.

At the start I was given too much responsibility, as I had not yet learned the required skills to be able design and carry out successful experiments. After voicing my concerns I was given some more guidance, but the expectations to deliver remained the same albeit more manageable. Overall the responsibility balanced out.

I did not develop a vast range of technical skills, as the experiments were limited and repetitive. I did learn some data analysis skills. More importantly, I learned to look at my results critically and make decisions based on them. I developed my interpersonal and influencing skills through collaborations with other departments.

Very amicable work team. No overbearing feeling of hierarchy, but a friendly relationship with everyone. Communication across all levels of management and across disciplines. Relaxed attitude to work as long as it gets done. Colleagues willing to help each other and everyone passionate about the goals of the department. Good team spirit.

The placement year was well organised. The department itself had also invested time in building a support network for students and organised careers talks to encourage networking. The organisation of individual placements was very much dependent on the supervisor and the smaller working team, which made for very different placement experiences for each student.

I was not singled out for personal development, but was allowed to take time out of my day to attend interesting lectures and talks on the site. Training sessions regarding communication and career prospects were also organised for the students by the recruitment company, which were cross-discipline and very informative.

Ample networking opportunities were provided within the company. There are several avenues to join the company following graduation, from grad programmes to fully funded PhD studies.

With so many students around there is always someone to hang out with. Students are quick to build their own community and although cliques form just like anywhere else, the overall atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. Very comparable to uni life. Lots of day trips and nights out planned together.

Stevenage was very affordable to live in, particularly as the wage is adjusted for London prices.

Stevenage is not pumping at night, but with so many students around there will always be someone to have a pint with. Houseparties also become a common occurrence and students know how to make their own fun. London is nearby, although the last trains back are at around 1am, which limits the nights out there.

Despite its reputation, there is plenty to do around Stevenge. There are several gyms and a swimming pool, as well as a leisure park and boxing gyms. There are opportunities to volunteer locally. And of course London is half an hour away, with every activity under the sun. Ideally located.