Assoicate Study Manager - Infectious Diseases Review

Highly enjoyed my placement year at GSK. My team were extremely welcoming and understanding, they have students every year so know how to help you develop and what to expect. The office had a good atmosphere and everyone was friendly.

I had the opportunity to take ownerships of tasks, then when a query or request was made my team valued my input into the decision as I had a fair understanding of the situation. The work I did helped towards the teams goal hence was valued as a colleague and not seen as a student.

My supervisor was very welcoming and supportive. She valued my development and when I expressed a desire to work on my public speaking and presentation skills, she actively looked for ways that this could be done through out the year, e.g. in STEM activities she was also contactable to answer questions and the rest of my team were as friendly and open to questions

The study I was assigned to help on initially experienced delays, hence was occasionally not very busy. However, when I expressed this to my manager she escalated it up to higher management to see if other teams needed support. Therefore, you need to be proactive about it as if I hadn't have said anything nothing would have changed.

The majority of my tasks were completely my own, to develop and complete. There naturally had to be some reviews prior to finalisation by the study accountable person, however I felt accountable for my work.

My experience was extremely positive. I have certainly left much more experienced in all aspects of general office life as well as specifically within my role. The time management and lifestyle is certainly one I will look to take into my final year My Biological Science agree didn't directly help that much, my manager expected me to have little knowledge prior to arrival.

The team was generally a bit older, hence less social scene but they were all extremely friendly. Asked about my weekend etc and had genuine interest. There were other students based at Stockley Park (SP) as well hence could socialise with them at lunch. The office is all open plan and light hence a relaxing place to work

there are placement students each year hence the line managers at GSK know how the student you feel etc. upon arrival. They plan the first week accordingly so it is a gentle introduction, after that you are within your teams and work alongside them accordingly. The students also get an induction day a month or so prior to starting to give a good picture of what it will be like

I was encouraged to take leadership, I was given training like any other member of staff. I could join all the work group e.g. Women in Leadership Initiative who ran classes for example public speaking confidence, all I could do alongside my general day job. STEM was great in allowing me to develop individually in project management

Would happily come back to GSK A lot of my team have been rehired since being an IP in the department, normally a couple of years post university. Update to access to the FLP scheme - as a IP you don't skip rounds anymore you just skip the online question assessment.

Large number of students in GSK. a student body IP unite helps to organise large events, e.g. Christmas ball and a summer boat party. Each site has a representative in the committee and it is there role to organise events for individual sites. SP is very close to GSKH therefore it was common to join their social activities also as students from both sites lived in the same area. SP has around 8 students GSKH ~70

Not too awful for London prices, my rent in Ealing was £660 per month not including bills. The annual train pass cost £1300 for zones 3-5, and there was a shuttle that ran from the station to the office. alternatively there is a shuttle bus between GSKH and SP if you live nearer GSKH you can walk and save money that way

No nightlife in Stockley Park, very little lunch options outside of the canteen - which is a little pricey GSKH however is more in London hence has a fair few pubs etc. by it, through social activities you can get to know about those at GSKH who go out with their teams much more regularly. Ealing has a lot of options as well: pubs/shops/restaurants

Lots of opportunities for students in Stockley (seemed to be more than at GSKH) STEM: Students led the insight events that took place in school half terms, from planning to presenting during the events allowed opportunity for personal growth Orange United: the charity committee within GSK, you can suggest your ideas, if approved you have the opportunity to project manage and own the task yourself