Expert Marketing 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

3.1/5
  • The Role
    3.5
  • The Company
    3.6
  • The Culture
    2.0

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

    • People were lovely, very nice environment to work in, not sure how essential I was to the team, work was not particularly challenging but fun and varied, given a lot of different responsibilities - would prefer to have a few more 'meatier' projects.

    4/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • Everyone was very friendly and always happy to help. There was a large emphasis on no question is a stupid question which made me feel comfortable there. I'm not sure how essential my role is to the team as my workload isn't huge and therefore I'm not sure how much of a valued team member I am but very friendly and supportive people.

    5/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • A lot of support given at the beginning, with for example setting up or getting access to the internal systems/laptop. A large focus on my personal development however my role was not really well-established before I arrived - they were unsure of what responsibilities I should be given/ tasks and projects to complete. Manager was very very nice, really understanding of problems outside of work - eg. taking the morning off to get the wifi installed at our house etc

    4/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • At the beginning not busy at all, felt like I was begging for work a lot and quite bored at times - especially when my manager wasn't in. Now my workload has picked up a lot and I'm enjoying it a lot more. I have a broad and varied range of projects so that is good. Don't feel I'm as busy as some of the other IPs at GSK.

    3/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • Quite a lot! I've been given the resposniblity of project managing 2 dental events where GSK will have a stand. This includes deciding what our stand will look like, key messages, training to the team. I was also given the opportunity to review point of sale material and design the field team business cards.

    4/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • Assisting to my degree studies; not that much. I study Chemistry and my role is in marketing so I knew that before I started. There is some focus on science in the mode of action behind the products but apart from that, very little science focus behind my role. In terms of other capabilities like project management, time management, outlook skills, interacting with different peoples at differenet corporate levels my placement has helped me hugely! Feel a lot more like an adult now aha.

    3/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • Really fun and buzzing atmosphere! We have multifunctional teams so there's a lot of moving around and chatting to everyone to keep all aligned. Definitely not stuck at the desk all day! A lot of fun activities to get involved with in terms of lunch and learns, charity team and snack o'clock!

    5/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • A lot better than others! My scope of work hadn't been fully set up so felt I had little to do at the beginning except learning modules. However they had got my laptop for me on my first day and setting up all the systems was relatively smooth just took a while.

    4/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • A lot of training was made available to me. These courses cost a lot but they pay if you ask. For example an active listening training, excel course etc. Make you feel valued and help with grad scheme application.

    4/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • Subsidised/Company Gym

    Company Parties/Events

    Staff Sales/Staff Shop

    Working from home
    2/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • Appealing! Very nice environment to work in and a lot of room for progression - people constantly seem to be changing roles and getting to a better 'grade' of pay. Pay is appealing - a lot better than our IP wage! Maybe in a differnet area of the business but still GSK.

    4/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

    • Yes - IP Unite but I did not like their application process - it felt like a popularity contest like at school and was quite demoralising! Haven't had any events yet but look forward to it. Also charity team on our floor - seems like a very social scene - about to start int he next few weeks!

    4/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • Expensive! But that's anywhere in London! Local pubs give GSK discount which is good for works drinks. Rent is £600 a month and bills £50. Drinks are the most expensive. Travel okay -bus is £1.50, tube is standard pricing. I found the student oyster card was rubbish and provided hardly any discount! Overcharged me all the time if I didn't scan properly! Once £13 for one journey!!!!! Supposed to be capped at £8!

    1/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • Brentford is quite a dead area - just full of head offices! But commuting to central London/ areas like Richmond/ Fulham not too bad! Having our first IP night out tonight!

    3/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • Not many - I can't think of any apart from any charity team events like tough mudder or 3 peaks challenge.

    1/5
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Details

Placement (10 Months+)

Advertising, Marketing

London

August 2018

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