Industrial Placement Student Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at GSK. Each student receives a project that they work on for the entirety of their placement. Often this is to benefit both GSK and the student because many students have to produce a report for their university. It is very well organised and I received a journal article to read before my start date, to prepare me for the subject of my project.

Particularly by the second half of the placement I felt I was more able to give back to my colleagues from the things I had learnt along the way. As I became more independent I felt more valued and able to contribute to the team. They also make you feel special by providing a placement student 'graduation' ceremony at the end of placement.

My project started very late - not until after Christmas. And not much guidance was provided until I took initiative and organised weekly one-to-ones with my manager. Then I was able to bring a list of questions to him every week and understand more the direction of my project as it was quite open-ended. This allowed me to plan my time as I liked, and take control of the direction of the project which felt daunting at first, but was very rewarding.

I was very busy during my first few months at GSK helping with another project. When I started my project, initially there it was a slow start involving lots of practical training before I could properly begin. Once in the middle of my project I became very busy but was still able to plan my own time accordingly.

I was given complete responsibility over my project and the direction I wanted to take it in. I was also responsible for some data analysis early on during the year for another project.

My university required me to write a report in the form of a journal article so I feel prepared for my final year dissertation. My placement has enabled me to grow in confidence in the lab and plan my own experiments in the most efficient way possible. I have also grown confidence in myself, showing myself I am capable in my abilities.

I worked in an office of hot-desking office of >100 people. Despite this, people are often quietly working so it is a good environment to concentrate. There are regularly cakes left in the kitchen for people to enjoy. Overall the atmosphere is very friendly. There is also an admin desk where you can ask any queries to do with the lab etc.

Each placement student has a project assigned to them. These are planned well in advance of the student beginning their placement so it is very well organised.

I requested permission to go to a conference in London that was of deep interest to me. They kindly paid for my registration to go. Any training I wanted was provided. Even people in other departments are willing to help show you something, or let you shadow them if you ask nicely!

I would love to work for GSK again one day. Having a placement year with them greatly increases your job opportunities with them. Many previous placement students now work permanently with GSK (normally after having done a PhD).

The students has a group, similar to a student union, that organise socials including the likes of a Christmas ball and a boat party. We also regularly meet up with groups of students in our own free time.

For me moving from the midlands, I noticed a price increase. However, I think overall places are available for reasonable prices. I lived in a house that was advertised for GSK placement students. The area is quite boring however you are close enough to London it doesn't matter too much.

The nightlife in the area is quite poor, but London is a 20 minute train away.

I don't recall opportunities to engage in outside of work except a Christmas do. This differs between departments as I know of other students having regular socials with their colleagues.