Summer placement student Review

by GSK

Best Student Employer

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

3.9/5
  • The Role
    4.6
  • The Company
    4.1
  • The Culture
    2.8

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
  • I have greatly enjoyed having the responsibility of managing my own project, its daunting at first but you build up to it and there are lots of people to help you find your way. I have learned so much in the short space of time that I've been here and found it to be a worthwhile and rewarding experience.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
  • Coming in as a student you can feel a little out of your depth, but the warm welcome you receive immediately puts you at ease. From day 1 you are expected to be an active member of your team, once you're settled in expect to provide regular updates to your team about what you've been getting up to.

    4/5

  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
  • When you start you will meet with your supervisor who will give you all the information you need to get started. If you need anything they are your first port of call and always available to help. I have also had regular guidance and tips from my colleagues and project lead whenever I needed help.

    5/5

  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
  • Initially, expect to be a lot of reading! When you start no one is expecting the finished article, so initially your days will consist fully of training and SOPs to equip you for your project. Once you have started your project the workload can vary, but expect to do a mixture of experimental work followed by analysis, with days lasting around 8 hours.

    5/5

  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
  • You are treated as a member of the team and not as a student, after you have found your feet the onus is on you to make the most of your placement. You will find yourself responsible for your own project, if there is anything else you hope to get out of the placement its down to you to make it happen - but there are many people who can help you on the way.

    5/5

  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • Depending on your project some of the skills you gain, and training you receive, will be very niche. But the bigger focus here is on more general skills like: managing your time effectively, communicating with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and different levels of experience, and for me the biggest one has been networking! These more general skills are things you can take with you wherever you go.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
  • Everyone in the office is very friendly, with the introduction of "hot desking" you can sit wherever you want each day allowing you to be as sociable as you like. Every week there are training events, conferences and activities like BBQs, picnics and walks that you can attend if you wish. I have had a great time in the office - some days don't feel like work at all!

    5/5

  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
  • From the get go I have had a set plan of what I am meant to be doing. Initially, my first 3 weeks were allocated to training and I had the flexibility to tackle that work how I liked. Before starting my project I had meetings with my supervisor and study lead to come up with a plan of action and timeline for my work. The important thing is to be realistic about what you can achieve in a set period of time and account or the unexpected.

    5/5

  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • I received basic training to equip me for life in the workplace and specific training which would be essential to carry out my project. GSK also offer training programmes that you can undertake in your spare time, I personally got to do some defibrillator training at no cost to myself. There are numerous different training schemes on offer... if you can find the time!

    4/5

  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
  • Flexi Time

    Subsidised Canteen

    Sports and Social Club

    Subsidised/Company Gym

    Staff Sales/Staff Shop

    4/5

  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
  • A placement at GSK by no means guarantees you a future role at the company. However, by spending time here you soak up a lot of the values and competencies that they are looking for in successful candidates. I have had several opportunities to register my details for future work and also had opportunities to apply for vacancies from within.

    4/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
  • I got to meet my fellow summer placement students on the first day, it really helps to settle you in. Study days with different games and ice breakers have helped us get to know each other and we have lunch together each day. There have been a few opportunities to go out together as well - but this will be limited by where you are staying.

    4/5

  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
  • N/A - didn't live in area

    3/5

  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
  • N/A- didn't live in area

    3/5

  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
  • Outside of work you can go to the onsite gym and there is also a sports and social club which you can join. I personally did not as I was commuting to and from work, but my colleagues who did had a great time going for drinks and watching the football.

    3/5

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Details

Internship (1 Month+)

Pharmaceutical

London

August 2018


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