Industrial Placement Student Review

Really enjoyable workplace - i had the chance to deliver really interesting science at a fast pace, and gain very valuable skills. Working in R&D at a company like GSK gave me a really good insight into the process of drug discovery and helped me decide what my future career in science will be.

Placement students are for the whole treated like full time staff members. It was my responsibility to plan my experiments, carry out the lab work, analyse the data, draw conclusions and write it up to a good standard. While your supervisor gives quite a bit of help, they will only help the minimum they think needed to allow you to adhere to standards of the company while allowing you to learn the skills on your own.

Always given guidance when needed both Academically and pastorally. Very hands on at first to ensure I knew what I was doing and backed off as I gained confidence. I would never feel that I couldn’t go to my supervisor to ask them a question, they were always willing to help and provide expertise.

Fluctuated between being busy enough to keep the days going quickly and busy to the point of nearly too stressed. Workload can be managed by yourself - if you feel you need some time to analyse data, your supervisor is happy to delay further experiment to allow you to get through work. I only took work home On a weekend once.

Carrying out experiments was entirely our responsibilty -you’re expected to know the workings of the lab and equipment once taught and after a few months you’re expected to carry out experiments independently. When it comes to deciding experiments and making protocols, supervisor always on hand to make sure you’re on track

Large increase in confidence in lab work - I can carry out a protocol now without just following instructions with no understanding. Definitely highly skilled in designing experiments now, compared to before. Better skills in literature review, communication and collaboration in terms of soft skills gained on the placement year.

It was quite an intense office - often very quiet and you didn’t feel you could have a causal conversation with someone without being overheard. However the quiet office means it’s a great working atmosphere and always get plenty done. There are spaces that allow for more causal conversation outside the office.

The company has been carrying out placements for years so it is skilled in knowing what to do when it comes to giving students the best opportunity to grow. While the actual third party employer can be disorganised GSK as a company knows exactly what to do with students. No doubt in their ability to deliver a successful placement.

Instead of actively investing the company gives you enough freedom to generate your own development path and learn your own skills. Most is picked up whilst working, but the company does have development plans available for students and staff if you wanted more guidance on how to make the best of your time.

For students doing a sandwich year it’s hard to get a job on the placement year as they don’t know what will be available in a years time. However if a hiring manager knows you worked at GSK they know you have experience in what the company is like and how drug discovery works and this could count equally against someone with more academic experience.

Company sets up a group called IP Unite who organise social events for the student population. Usually two big events a year including New Years ball and boat party (boat part cancelled this year). Generally there are plenty of students so it’s easy to socialise with others without having to go too far.

Living is cheap - £99 per week for my rent and bills including WiFi. Socialising is also cheap around Stevenage and access to larger cities like london and Cambridge is cheap and easy by train. Given the pay of the placement you are never short of money in comparison to expenses.

Plenty of restaurants and pubs but minimal nightlife - one mediocre club and bar. Also spread out so hard to reach places without driving. But cheap travel to London means it’s not hard to go to London for a night out and get back on the late train. If you want a night out it’s not hard to find.

Some volunteering days, including a full day of the whole department volunteering. For students not a huge amount is presented but if you go searching the gym and sports clubs allow a lot of sport outside of work. Gym is cheap and sports membership is cheap as well so easy to access.