Industrial Placement student Review

It was incredibly rewarding and fruitful. Learnt a lot not only in terms of the technical aspects of the role I was given but also in terms of gaining lots of transferrable skills, organisational skills, knowing how to work in teams. I can honestly say I feel I have grown and got to know myself better as well throughout the placement year, as I realised more concretely what my strengths and weaknesses are in a work environment, what the kind of work environment I feel most comfortable in is, etc.

My colleagues were incredibly welcoming and inclusive. From day 1, they made me feel like I was part of the team. And I was soon enough given a project which I could tell my supervisor truly cared for. Hence I genuinely felt my work and input throughout the placement was for a meaningful purpose. Although some formal thresholds were present throughout the year that made me avoid for instance bringing up a subject that may seem too personal, overall, I was super comfortable chatting with them about all kinds of topics, asking them anything and requesting for help if I needed it regardless of how embarrassing it may have been.

I would say I was given exactly the right amount of support I believe I needed. It was enough to help me find the backbone of my project, know what to do, why I am doing things, what the aims are, etc. But it was challenging enough in that my supervisor would at times when deemed appropriate purposefully leave me to figure certain problems out, or to troubleshoot by myself, so as for me to develop my critical thinking and problem solving abilities.

I believe overall I was given a perfect balance. There were successions of very intense and busy lab days but that were always followed by a few more relaxing office days to sort out data, do some analysis, research, sort other administrative tasks out and write up my university report. My supervisor always ensured I was not left to do nothing on end or be overwhelmed by work. When I would request for a quick 1:1 chat to discuss my next few experimental plans, he would always make the time for me.

I would say for my specific project, I was given the main responsibility as I was the only one of the team to be working on something that branched out a little from the work of the rest of the team. But overall, I believe I wasn't given too much other responsibilities.

I definitely feel that the lab practices and transferrable skills I earned throughout the year will be most beneficial for when I find work in the near future in the similar field of R&D. In terms of immediate use for going back to the final year of university however, I feel it may not be as useful, as planning out work and planning out studies seem to be two tasks with different expectations.

Within the team, there was a decent number of pub lunches or dinners, Christmas celebratory events, birthday cakes, etc. to suit what I believe is a healthy work-life balance. The office atmosphere was vibrant, fun and full of warmth, with approachable and friendly people who all know how to be serious at work and know to have fun when taking breaks from work.

The placement was surprisingly well organised. IP students were guided from day 1 of the placement and were given constant support throughout, to help us most when we started off and were perhaps a bit lost or had lots of questions, then as we became more independent and started fitting into our respective teams/projects, we were given more room for us to manage ourselves and come back for support when we felt the need.

I feel we were generally taken good care of in terms of obtaining needed, useful and quality personal training and development. IP students are made to feel like they fit amongst their colleagues and are looked upon by the company as workers that contribute to the company, rather than as insignificant students gathering a bit of experience.

I would be most interested in coming back to work within this organisation. The work ethics and environment are incredible and the people you work with are amazing and friendly. The work you are given are challenging and interesting and you feel like you are contributing, even though a tiny bit, to the bigger aims of the company. Also, their values align exactly with mine.

The IP students were very tight! I have met incredible people and friends whom I know will last for life! IP students would regularly organise events outside of work to socialise, meet up for lunch or a coffee break at work, and our office even organised events outside of for IP students to get to know each other better during the start of the placement.

The cost of living and socialising were much cheaper compared to the average you get in London. Going out with friends or colleagues for an event or a meal and to have fun was very affordable and easy to organise. As there are cycling paths everywhere, it was also easy to commute by cycling hence not having to spend money on the bus.

For what it is, the Nightlife was decent. In the absolute sense, the area is a barren land, with one club and a few good pubs/bars, but very minimal compared to what you would get on average. However, in the end, it's the people you are with that make a night out superb. Hence, personally, the lack of options didn't bother me as much as you could still have a blast with your group of friends in the emptiest of pubs.

There were plenty of activities you could pick up on (swimming, trampolining, gym, gymnastics, martial arts, dance classes, language classes, etc.) around the area, and there was plenty of time outside of work to try out something new or fit in a few weekly classes of your favourite activity. However, again, relative to big buzzing cities, there were of course much less options.