Perimeter Operations Analyst Review

I extensively enjoyed my Placement Year at GSK for numerous reasons. Not once did I feel like I was 'just an Industrial Placement student'. I felt valued. I was able to contribute significantly and participate in a multitude of events with other regular GSK employees. This included being able to host conferences, training seminars, and attending award ceremonies with GSK. Even meeting the CEO herself.

I felt very valued. Within my regular, day-to-day job, I was always aware of the contribution I was making within my daily job. My team were great at recognising effort and achievements, as well as my colleagues outside of my regular day job too. I am very grateful to have been the recipient of numerous awards from my colleagues for my hard work and determination within my regular day job and beyond - all which helped to further my motivation and determination to excel and be the very best that I can be.

My line manager was incredible in providing support. Despite his tedious and tiring schedule, he still made time to schedule weekly one-on-one meetings with me to evaluate progress, see how I am doing, and address any concerns. This proved instrumental in my growth at GSK, because it meant that I was able to reflect on my strengths as well as work on my weaknesses. Moreover, my manager was also great at giving me advice on navigating my career and personal life. Likewise, my mentor at GSK was brilliant too - offering sound advice on my future career paths, and a lot of information about GSK and its different departments, job types, and so on.

I was usually very busy, particularly because I had my regular day job as well as a multitude of extra-curricular activities too. I felt that both complimented each other superbly. My regular, technical job was stimulating and challenging enough, and my extra-curricular roles and activities helped to round-out my growth as when my regular job was less busier, I always had additional work. I was able to manage both with relative ease, although sometimes it was a challenge, yet I was able to build resilience and develop my time-management skills in coping with both my regular day job and other opportunities - my line manager was brilliant at offering advice and support here too.

I was very grateful to be given a lot of responsibility during my Placement. Be it through projects, I was assigned two incredibly critical projects to direct, which provided me with limitless growth and learnings and experiences. The projects were of significant value to GSK, so I felt a lot of responsibility in leading them. Responsibility that was honourable and a rewarding challenge. Outside of my regular job, I was given further responsibilities that were instrumental to my growth at GSK - through leading teams, organising events, hosting events, and so forth - I was able to significantly improve my leadership and responsibility skills at GSK.

The skills and learnings that I developed will undoubtedly benefit my aspiring career and future studies. The leadership and responsibility that I gained from my placement year at GSK will help me in assuming positions of leadership in my future career. Most importantly, it taught me that I actually ENJOY leadership; it motivates me. Secondly, the technical knowledge I learned will benefit my return to university as I can apply what I have learned. Not only this, but the skills in communication, resilience, team-work, project management, will also extensively support both my studies and future career endeavours.

The atmosphere was ever-changing. Sometimes quiet, sometimes very lively and engaging. The mix was perfect, as it allowed me to sometimes buckle-down and complete my projects and work tasks when the office was more quiet, but then also enjoy myself and talk to those around me when I had perhaps less work to do. I found that in each conversation I grew as an individual, particularly an individual with introverted characteristics, which helped me a lot.

The placement year was very well organised. I was plunged straight into my role with support and training. I received regular advice and feedback, from both GSK and SRG. The extra-curricular opportunities available at GSK were very well organised and laid out, with all information available to you well in advance.

I received numerous opportunities to train and develop my skills at the hands of GSK. This includes obtaining an ITIL qualification - this was paid for by GSK - and, in obtaining the qualification, I taught me a lot of the 'background' knowledge of my field, and significantly boosted my employability as it taught me some instrumental industry-relevant skills that I can apply at GSK and beyond in the future.

This question is challenging to answer due to the fact that GSK underwent numerous transitions and changes in my time there, especially to my department. However, the graduate scheme does look somewhat appealing, despite it changing significantly. However, there are still numerous other venues into GSK too that look appealing, such as contracting, or in a direct entry role. This was all well-communicated to me, so I had pretty much all the information that I need. The end decision rests in my hands I guess.

The social atmosphere was okay. There was a committee called IP Unite which organised the 2 big events of the year - the Boat Party and Christmas Ball, which were a lot of fun. However, I found that most of the placement students, because we were at a big site, didn't really want to do much? However, my colleagues (not fellow placement students) were pretty great in supplying great social events for myself and my teams.

I didn't live out, I lived with my parents during my placement year, so I cannot vouch for the costs. However, London is incredibly expensive. So for socialising, often it hit me quite hard. The costs are very dear. I appreciate GSK for helping to lower some of their costs - be it with their own consumer products, or the gym, which was offered at a discounted rate to IP students.

I worked in GSK's HQs in Brentford, West London. There was no nightlife. As there isn't much in Brentford. The majority of the night life scene was in Central London. So, when I did go out, it was mainly into Central London, which was fine. There is never too little in Central London! But in terms of Brentford, absolutely nothing.

The opportunities for myself outside of my role were limitless. Thus, I made sure I got involved in everything, and I certainly did. Be it in IP Unite, which was the GSK Industrial Placement committee, I was able to get extensively involved and I lead the 2 biggest events of the year: The Christmas ball and Summer boat party, both of which were attended by over 300 Placement Students. There are also other opportunities such as GSK's Employee Resource Groups, of which there are many. I particularly got involved with Spectrum, GSK'S LGBT+ Employee Resource Group. With Spectrum, the opportunities were limitless. I hosted a conference for the CEO of Diversity Role Models, I also hosted an LGBT+ Harassment and Bullying seminar. I attended the Stonewall Equality Gala, and met the CEO of GSK herself. In terms of extra-curricular opportunities, at GSK they are limitless, and it's because of this that I was able to grow and achieve so much whilst on Placement.