Associate Clinical Study Manager Review

The work is very varied - some tasks are very enjoyable and engaging, but some can be repetitive/basic. The majority of tasks given require responsibility, which is rewarding. As I was moved across several studies during my placement, I felt as if I never went truly in to depth in any of my study work.

The majority of people are very warm and make you feel valued - but as I was doing small tasks across several studies, rather than a larger project on one study, I feel as though I was not valued as much as I could have been if this was the case.

My manager was very supportive and offered guidance when needed, and actively sought out tasks on studies for me to complete that reflected my interests. However, I think that students that work directly with their manager (which I did not) were supported to a further extent.

Some days were very busy, and some not so busy - but overall a good balance. The work peaks and troughs, but alongside study work I was also a STEM ambassador and a social secretary, so that filled my time during any gaps in study work.

I was given a fair amount of responsibility - but other students were given a varied amount. Some had none, some had many more opportunities than myself to flourish. Overall I had a good balance.

I think my placement has definitely improved my communication skills and my ability / confidence to present. My written communication has vastly improved, especially my ability to read and interpret scientific literature and protocols and produce patient-facing materials, such as newsletters. Furthermore, through being a STEM ambassador, my project management skills have heightened through coordinating STEM events.

Overall the office was a very friendly place to work, and people were always more than willing to have a chat or answer any questions and I always felt comfortable. However, there wasn't much going on outside of work e.g. socials except for the placement students - so I knew the students very well, but didn't get to know permanent staff as well as we could have if out of work activities were organised.

The student on boarding process was really varied - some people were thrown in to work, and others didn't get much work and just trained for weeks/months. I personally enjoyed my first months as I worked closely with someone on just one study, so knew it in detail and had support and a mentor through that. Once I started getting spread across a few studies, I felt as though I lost my confidence in the work slightly as I didn't understand it as much as I had in my first project.

We were given so much opportunity for development - from development days at other sites, to being a member of the women in leadership initiative, to being a STEM ambassador and coordinating events and attending careers fairs and visiting research institutes such as the Crick institute - it couldn't have been better!

The company and department take on a lot of past placement students which is really nice to see. The future leaders programme (grad scheme) that GSK provide seems very good.

Socials with students were common, but not common / not existent with colleagues.

Very expensive - but it's London! We lived in Ealing, which was cheaper and had good transport links to both work and central London.

Fab! There's lots to do in Ealing (pubs, bars, restaurants) and the tube was 30 mins in to central.

Not really - there wasn't a huge amount organised outside of the office.