Process Engineering Industrial Placement Student Review

I have really enjoyed my placement year. I have had lots of opportunities to work on projects that have stretched me both technically and professionally. Working in R&D has allowed me to get a variety of experiences, with a good balance of lab, written and manufacturing work as well as getting an overview of the business.

Everyone on my placement has always been willing to help and support me, even though everyone is busy with their own projects and work. There is a great team spirit, with team events and nights out throughout the year. The support amongst the placement students was also great and many of us will keep in contact after our placement has ended.

Despite my manager being very busy and having to travel on business on several occasions, I still feel that I was supported throughout my placement. I feel an effort was always made to catch up in person when possible or through email and phone when not. I was also able to reach out to other colleagues in my team whenever I needed extra support. I felt people took my concerns seriously and I was always listened too.

The workload definitely depended on the week, with some weeks being very busy, trying to finish work/documents to a tight deadline and other weeks more relaxed, giving you time to catch up on training or plan work. Having spoken to others, this tends to be the case for everyone. I felt that I didn't have enough to do at the very start of my placement as I was just completing initial training and shadowing others, but as soon as I started project work this got better.

At the beginning of placement, I supported a larger project so initially did not have much responsibility. However, a few months in my responsibility grew as I planned and completed a number of experiments and had a more active role within the team. During the second half of my placement, I planned and led my own project which I was ultimately responsible for delivering, giving me ownership.

Technically I have developed as an engineer as I have a better understanding of how what I have learnt at university can be applied to real-life situations within the consumer healthcare industry. I have also learnt new technical skills such as validation. However, I feel I have developed more professionally/personally from my placement year giving me the confidence to lead projects/teams, speak up, work better in group situations, plan and organise work more effectively - all of which will benefit me during my last year at university and beyond.

Depended on the day and who was in. We do not have set desks so could sit anywhere on site, but have certain days where we sat as a team which was helpful if you have any questions/needed to talk to people. Could get a bit quiet if people were working in the lab/pilot plant but generally the atmosphere was good.

The initial training was well set up using an online programme and, although there was a lot to get through, it was clear what needed to be done. There was a number of in person training sessions that needed to be completed and some of these could have need organised quicker. The overall placement was organised well, we were given a choice of what projects we wanted to undertake and there were also opportunities to support other work within the team. Catch ups with supervisors/mentors were regular to ensure we kept on track. The offboarding process could have been more organised but this was due to other project work going on at the same time which took priority.

The level of interest in personal development surprised me for employees who are only working for a year. A lot of time was spent talking through personal development goals, putting together a plan of how to achieve this and having monthly reviews. I was also given a lot of support in applying to the graduate scheme.

From completing my placement, I really like the overall values of the company but also understand that it varies a lot depending on which site/department you are in. I have learned that working in this industry is definitely right for me. Although the graduate scheme will be a very different experience from my placement year, I am still excited to apply as I know it will push me both technically and professionally. There is also the option of direct entry into a role which also appeals to me.

Yes! There was a good number of placement students on site (15), and we all got on well and managed to meet for events/dinner on several occasions. Throughout the year there were several work parties that were good fun and always opportunities to go for a drink on a Friday! Always felt included, despite not living with the other placement students.

The town closest to the office is extremely expensive so placement students tend to live in cheaper areas where there is more of a student population. Being close to London, a lot of people commute, but again the cost of living in London is extremely high. Prices of drinks/night out are also very expensive.

The town is very quiet/residential so there was not much apart from pubs and restaurants. Luckily, we are only 30 min from central London which has endless options for food / drinks / events. Where some of the placement students lived was a student area so they had more options, although difficult to travel to and from if you don't live there.

Generally the area around work are quiet so not that many opportunities. Getting involved in sports/gymming was popular and a number of placement students took part in events such as running, cycling etc. to raise money for charity. There probably could have been more activities promoted for people to get invloved in.