Protein Degradation Unit IP Review

I had high expectations before I started here, but somehow my time here has managed to exceed them. It is not an over-exaggeration to say this has been a dream placement and my time here has only made me want to go into research even more than before. A fantastic year.

My supervisor was fantastic in helping find my feet initially and since then has allowed me such independence and many opportunities to expand my skillset and bolster my confidence. My inputs and opinion were also heard and discussed which is greatly encouraging. I also felt like if someone needed something done they trusted me to do it.

I was provided lots of training initially as well as regular catch-ups throughout the year. I was also encouraged to share ideas and plan my own work in order to gain the most out of my project. Even when the work has got hectic and reports required writing, feedback was always readily available to myself.

Overall the workload has been challenging but in a positive way. It has pushed me to work out time management and learn how to compartmentalise. I have never found myself with nothing to do but conversely if I had lots of work at once support was there within the team to get it done.

I am very thankful for the respect and responsibility that was given to me on my placement. This has brought its own pressures but going outside your comfort zone is something I believe is vital to allow me to grow and get the most of my time here as possible.

I have learned many transferrable skills and built my confidence throughout the year. Some of which will be useful for my degree but mainly they will be used for the rest of my career and life which is invaluable to me. I definitely feel as though I am in a better place to build a career now than before I started.

The atmosphere has been very inviting and encouraging. Even during a time of quite large change in the team, it has managed to retain a fantastic team spirit that has only brought more to my time here on placement. It all starts from the head of department setting a clear goal that everyone buys into.

There was a clear plan and structure for my time here from the moment I arrived. Initiallu I received a lot of support in order to find my feet and learn the ropes before I was given more independence and responsibility. Towards the end of my time here I have been pushed and encouraged to take on mor challenges.

There was significant time and effort invested in my training which I believe and hope I have been able to repay over the remainder of my placement by my work output. I was also allowed to train on a vast array of instruments using reagents which will benefit both my time here and future career.

I would love to return to the company and continue to learn here. I will be investigating the possibility of doing a PhD role and would recommend the company to many of my friends to work within, whether it be lab based role, like I performed or elsewhere in the business.

The social scene could do with improvement as engagement was pretty poor

The cost of living is quite significant however is manageable. It is not far off London prices and if you choose to take advantage of the area around you can get expensive. However the wages are generous and can offset these costs well. Being 20 minutes from London makes the social scene vibrant.

The nightlife in Stevenage is poor.

There are lots of clubs associated with the company. I personally am a member of the gym on site which has provides a range of classes. I also play 5-a-side football once a week with colleagues and am a member of the company golf society that tours the area's courses approximately once every 3 weeks.