UK Charitable Partnerships Industrial Placement Review

My placement year at GSK was everything I could have asked for and more. I worked in a team who worked on issues I was passionate about, such as charitable partnerships and employee engagement, and the role offered me opportunities I would otherwise have no access to at this point in my career.

My line manager and those I directly reported into gave me accountability and development opportunities throughout my year at GSK, and allowed me to push myself in various different scenarios and projects. I had regular check-ins about how I felt I was doing in my role and the progress I could make in terms of personal development. By the end of my placement, I felt like a secure member of the team, and I am sad to be leaving after just a year.

My management and those I directly reported to supported me through challenging parts of my role, but helped me truly understand my capability in the team, and the effect I could have through my job. If I ever felt unsure, my team were always there to help guide me through processes and systems, and support me to believe in my ability.

My role was very demanding as I was split across three different areas of my team to constantly help deliver on projects or content. Sometimes, especially during extra busy periods of the year, I would find myself stretched and at some points I had to speak to my manager about my workload and the way to manage this. After 6 months of being in role, I felt comfortable enough to push back on workload and manage expectations.

During my placement, I helped to run two national external events from start to finish, and in the second half of my year was left to organise, develop and lead on different projects/events. After proving my capability when assisting on different projects, I felt comfortable enough to have higher accountability and confident enough to prove this to my managers.

Not only do you develop professional skills that are important for the workplace and degree studies, but also the personal development you receive is second to none. Before starting my placement, I thought I was a confident person, but my year in role helped me to believe in my capability and what I can achieve when I focus on the job in hand. Going back to university, I feel that the skills I have developed will give me an advantage on being more focused, efficient and successful in my degree.

I was lucky to have a personable, fun, and lighthearted team, who valued relationships outside of the office that contribute to having a successful team. It was chatty, and people always had time to have conversations - however, when deadlines were tight or it was a busy time of year, there was always an appreciation to focus and have a quiet office space.

Overall, I felt that my placement was well organised and I had all the information I needed for my start date - the only thing that I felt let my placement down was working for SRG, as I found that as an agency they could be a better support for placement students.

I was able to attend seminars and training meetings that focused on personal skill development, and I feel that I have benefited massively from these. I was able to attend external events and meetings what helped me to improve my communication and personable skills

The graduate scheme is difficult to get onto, and it is advertised as an extremely competitive situation for current IPs. There is a lot of stress that comes with the prospect of working towards the grad scheme, and I was put off by this. Direct entry is always an option, but this may not be what you are interested in doing, and prefer the idea of a grad scheme.

There were a variety of socials put on for industrial placement students, with a variety of different activities.

It is extremely expensive in West London, where I was based, and with a low income this can be difficult to do.

With direct links to central London, there is always a night out and a good nightlife scene, however it is very expensive.

There were sports clubs/events, and fundraising teams to get involved with, but you had to find these for yourself rather than them coming to you.