In Vivo Imaging Placement Student Review

My placement work was enjoyable and interesting. Working in the In Vivo Imaging facilities providing a fantastic opportunity to work with technology not commonly available in academia. I thoroughly enjoyed conducting studies and analysing the images produced. However, the workload (due to various reasons) was minimal after Christmas, which was disappointing.

My contributions to the team were valued and my opinions respected. I felt that I offered an alternative, if naïve, view on things, which contrasted my experienced colleagues ideas in a positive way. The physical work I did was valued, despite there being minimal work at times.

I was supervised in a independent fashion. My supervisor was always available for help and support, but allowed me to find my own work and manage my own time. Additionally, colleagues were always willing to help. I never felt like I was asking a stupid question nor wasting their time.

This is the main disadvantage of my placement year. After Christmas, the number of studies that we were conducting as a department drastically diminished, much to everyone's displeasure. At the beginning of the year, my days would be filled but manageable. However, the days became less busy and I did struggle to keep myself occupied at times. I used the opportunity to have insight days in different departments, which my supervisor was more than happy for me to take.

I had sufficient responsibility to work independently on some cadaver and in vitro studies. However, due to the nature of in vivo work, I was never accountable for any actual studies. On occasions, I had the responsibility of representing the team at presentations and seminars.

This year was undoubtedly useful for my career. It provided valuable insight into working in a big pharmaceutical company, and allowed me to work with technology that I wouldn't have experienced in academia. However, I do not feel it has aided my exact scientific knowledge as much as other placements.

Great! My colleagues were communicative and we got along well. They were always available for advice and discussions.

In retrospect, the team would not have hired an Industrial Placement student the year I worked, due to the lack of work. If I had worked at a different time, I feel it would have been a lot more organised but the distinct absence of studies meant I had too much time that was not contributing towards the department.

The company provided me with multiple opportunities to develop, through networking, seminars, working groups, presentations, insight days, etc. which will be undoubtedly useful in the future. It is a shame that I do not feel that I have earned my keep.

I recognise that GSK is a brilliant company to work for, and will strongly consider it in the future. However, at these early stages of my career, I wish to look for more exciting and novel careers.

Yes, there would a sizeable group of Industrial Placement students and Apprenticeships which would meet up after work and at weekends. While it was not as social as university, there were enough people to have events and it was nice to socialise with people from other disciplines/ universities.

Average, the salary I was paid was sufficient to pay my rent, food and travel in Stevenage. I enjoyed having disposable income to travel at the weekends and attend events.

Groups of students went out for drinks and dinner in the first few months and during the summer. We rarely went out partying during the week, due to the next day's work. Stevenage has a non-existent nightlife but London is close enough to go out for a night (Note: The first train back is 6:30 am, for the brave ones).

Absolutely. Stevenage may not be the most beautiful town, but it is certainly functional with many facilities. As a triathlete, I went swimming, used the gym, joined a running club and explored the countryside on my bike (5k in every directioin will get you amongst the fields).