APIM Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Review

I really enjoyed my placement. I have not worked in such an environment before and it gave me an insight into what an industrial environment is like. It also allowed me to gain experience into what I enjoyed doing within the workplace, which will prove invaluable when progressing from university and applying for jobs.

I felt extremely valued by my colleagues. Being one of the younger members of the department, I felt I settled in quickly and felt like I was an integral part of the team. This was the longest period I have lived away from home before, and I felt supported in both a personal and professional sense and have met some friends for life.

My manager offered me support throughout my placement. Initially, she helped me a lot and supported me in everything I did to increase my understanding, mainly of all the acronym use during meetings! As the placement progressed, I felt like I was able to gain more independence, whilst my supervisor was always available to offer a helping hand. I felt like I could freely express any concerns or worries I had too, and Pfizer encouraged that.

On a daily basis I was very busy. However, I like to be busy and through it I have been able to be involved in a wide range of work activities. No two weeks were the same during my placement year at Pfizer and I am grateful for that, as it provided a substantial work load across the placement.

I was given a lot of responsibility during my placement year. I felt colleagues trusted me and allowed me to progress the work, but then were able to offer me feedback on potential improvement areas. I was able to devise a plan for the work, run it by my manager (mainly to check I hadn't missed anything) and then given the responsibility to execute.

I have developed both soft skills and expanded my technical knowledge. Aspects of my placement have allowed me to develop a further understanding of topics explored within university and have the opportunity to put them into practice. This has increased my learning and allowed for a greater appreciation of the theory. In relation to the training I received this will assist me beyond my degree, as I have a better idea of what is expected from me from a training point of view, which before I was not aware.

The atmosphere within my office was calm, tranquil and friendly. A correct balance between professional work and catching up on activities from the weekend was achieved. I found it easy to get on with work at my desk, and people were always available located near to speak to should I need help. I worked in an open office area which I enjoyed, as all the different contributors to the department could come together as one. It also gave the opportunity to talk to people who would require minimal contact from a work point of view, day to day.

I felt my placement from day one was very organised. I arrived and had a week of introduction, which was communicated through a timetable. It was clear where I needed to be and when and provided a gentle introduction into the company. It is clear that Pfizer are excellent at planning in advance, and it pays off. I felt I was always aware of activities occurring, and was well informed.

I have had multiple opportunities to develop as a Chemical Engineer, with the company allowing me to be involved with multiple internal training days on site. Personal development was supported through 5 payed volunteering days which allowed me to become a STEM ambassador. Development was also achieved through regular coaching sessions, which allowed me to talk with a person independent from my department about career development. This was useful as it offered an independent insight into other individuals career paths and gave me food for thought.

Future employment prospects within the organisation are promising, with the department I am situated within actively hiring during the placement year. Seeing first hand what is done on a day to day basis gave me an insight of what I could be involved in, should I wish to apply for a position within the company, and it makes me excited for the future. My manager also assisted with CV development, which will help me when beginning to apply for jobs.

The social scene with fellow ITs was good, with us meeting up at least once a month. There was also a good variety of social events happening, which gave breadth and the social events where fun to attend. Time with colleagues was enjoyable, and I took up a new hobby whilst down in Kent. I bonded with two colleagues in particular, with them meeting with my family when they visited. I have also said they are welcome to travel up north and I will host them anytime!

Cost of living was much cheaper than I anticipated. Being up north I thought the cost of living would be much more expensive down south, but in all honesty I haven't noticed any alarming differences. My rent per week was competitive, and included bills so there were no worries regarding late payments. I didn't have to ask for any support from my parents during the year, and managed to save a good amount too which is always a bonus! Socialising was actually cheaper than up north, especially during the summer months, as there are a lot of outdoor (free) activities to take advantage of. Being a 20 minute walk from the seaside was a bonus, and something I haven't had the opportunity to experience before. I took advantage by going for long runs along the coast!

The nightlife was reasonable, with plenty of pubs/restaurants to visit after work which could go progress into the late evening. I mainly spent my time at friends houses socialising, and it was cheaper too! If you're into nightlife and the clubbing scene, Canterbury is definitely worth a visit being quite student orientated and is quite lively on the weekend.

I took the mindset of taking advantage of every opportunity during my placement year. After all what is there to lose? I made regular visits to London, meeting up with friends. I also went to my local gym a lot, taking part in a variety of classes. The department had a Christmas social event in December, and the department also held regular socials once a month.