Industrial Placement Student Review

There were good and bad aspects of the placement. The bad being when I didnt have a lot of work to do and struggled to find much that I could get on with. The enjoyable parts were being able to see all the different things that go on at GSK and speak to different people.

There were times when I could help with the routine work my team does and get things done not only to make their lives easier but also if they couldnt do something as they were too busy. My project did not have a great deal of value to my team but was a good exercise for me to do.

There was always help available, sometimes it was just a case of either being patient or knowing the right person to ask. I felt like everybody did their best to be helpful and were considered in the advice and support they offered. It was a comfortable learning environment which made the year much better.

Highly variable through out the year based on how buys the team was and how much project work i had. I didnt get a project for quite some time, then I picked up two quite quickly which occupied a lot of time and kept me very busy. Apart from these I was subject to the workload going through my team.

Once I was trained to do something I was given a nice level of independence and responsibility to get it done. While this was never a major piece of work it was a good level for someone at my level, being very junior. I was also able to take on responsibility by helping others out and finishing up when they were double booked or such the like.

The experience of managing my own project will be directly useful next year for my degree where Ill have to do something very similar again. As for the insight into the sector, this year has given me an invaluable and unparalleled look into big pharma, a perspective that will help me make decisions about my future.

Relaxed and quiet. There was hot desking which was a bit annoying when your desk got taken as you had to find another one. Moreover, it made other people hard to find and there weren't always enough desks so you had to get in early. It was a comfortable environment with lots of cake.

Quite well organised, though they tried a new structure so that students got more integrated in the teams. This was good as it gave me more of a feel of what the day to day of the job was like, however it meant there was poorer planning regarding a project for me and it took a while to get a project in the end.

Everybody gave me plenty of their time, be it for hands on training or more pastoral advice. I was exposed to and trained in a range of new things, opportunities I likely wouldnt have had otherwise. Moreover, when I asked to do/learn something specific I received very good help and support.

It is a huge company with so many different facets that its hard to answer. IN terms of the department I was in, there seem to be some new hires but the chance of promotion is not as good as I would like. Perhaps other departments or sections are different, but on my experience not exceedingly high.

Yes and no. There were a few social events organised through work but most socializing was just organizing to meet up with friends. however stevenage is not very good for this and it was probably to do with the location but the social life side of the placement has not been great.

Being just outside london it was not a great price for what it was as most accomadation was not very good and there were not many places to socialise. While not great value, the prices weren't extortionate. Rent about £400pcm and about £4 for a pint. Going to london for something nicer is even more expensive!

Non-existent. There is no real student population so the closest thing to a night out is a seedy wetherspoons with a few chairs cleared to one side, a dodgey disco ball, and some even dodgier old men underneath it. Definately need to go to london for decent nightlife which is expensive and quite a trek.

Again, there was plenty going on in london if you didnt mind travelling but not loads in stevenage itself. There are a few running clubs and I have been learning to drive to fill my time but outside of the gym there aren't a great range of activities available. Especially if you cant drive.