Synthetic Organic Chemist Review

I loved working for GSK, and the year has been extremely valuable in my development as a synthetic organic chemist. The work is challenging, but pushes you to learn more and become more confident in decision making and technique. The site has many students, including industrial placement students and phD students, and is such a vibrant place to be!

I was immediately integrated into a project team, and given my own work. I presented my findings every week, and felt like I had real responsibility and that everyone appreciated my work as much as any full time employee. I wasn't given anything 'easy', and people always expressed their thanks in what I had done!

You are not completely thrown in at the deep end, my supervisor was very thorough in coaching me through the work near the beginning, which of course then faded as I became more and more confident to make my own decisions! My supervisor also reminded me of any opportunities that came around that could better my development.

The days can be very very busy, but it is really dependant on each individual. For example, hours at GSK (in terms of when you get in, when you get home) are quite flexible. Some people will want to get a lot done in a day, and work longer hours and try and juggle more things, and others are aware of how much they can do without being too busy. It is really down to the person and how much they want to get done!

For the second half of my placement, I was the sole chemist placed on my project, where I had clear aims, and I brought my own ideas to the table and performed the chemistry and made my own decisions about where to go next (of course after agreeing with the project lead). It meant I was able to design my own syntheses for a section of the project, and had complete ownership of my work!

The placement of course teaches you both practical and theoretical chemistry, which is invaluable. You also gain a range of new soft skills, such as interacting with a range of different people and personalities and the confidence to approach them. If it wasn't for this year, I also wouldn't have the understanding I have for the business and the industry!

The atmosphere in your lab/office really depends on each lab, some are filled with industrial placement/phD students and the lab can be more filled with people, but differently, some labs you may be just one of two people working in there. Nonetheless, the site is very vibrant, and filled with people to interact with a different times during the day.

I had no problems at all with the set up of the placement, everything was completely organised, and we were kept up to date with everything even before the placement started (i.e. being in contact with your supervisor). There was never a time where anyone was stuck not knowing what to do!

The company/supervisors are very invested in personal development in general, which is true for their IP students. I was involved in problem sessions, literature discussions, external and internal lectures, 'student community' sessions and training days. All of these were paramount in my personal development, were I would be involved in one or more of these each week!

The recruitment within the company is constantly changing, so it is difficult to tell what the employment prospects are like at the moment, or how they will be in the future. It is really very dependent on the company at the time, and what jobs are available in each department.

The social scene between the industrial placement studies was great, where there were nights out/parties to break the ice at the beginning and throughout the year. There is also a good social scene between the rest of my colleagues, where we went for drinks and organised pub lunches. There are also staff parties around Christmas and events organised within departments, such as Cricket games.

Stevenage is just north of London, but the prices aren't as expensive as London prices. For housing, it is worth getting somewhere quickly if you want somewhere cheaper, as I know that people that waited generally paid more money. The cost of going out also isn't too expensive, and London is only 20 mins on the train for somewhere nicer.

The nightlife in Stevenage is very limited, but there are clubs/bars around. It's also not too far from London, or even places such as Hitchin. This wasn't too much of a problem, as the placement can be very tiring, and depending on your uni you may have coursework/exams to complete, so nightlife wasn't too much of a worry.

There sometimes departmental outings, such as pub lunches, a cricket game and Christmas parties. Not involving work colleagues, I am not sure what was available, but I know that there were some sports venues around. London is also not far away, which will have lots of opportunities, so that is always available!