HR Industrial Placement - Talent, Learning & Organisational Development Review

It was really enjoyable, the culture is great and relaxed enough that you are trusted to do your own work and still have fun with other IPs. The year is what you make it- the more IPs were willing to put in (i.e. get involved outside of their workload, meet other people) the more they got out of it.

My managers were really supportive and definitely made me feel valued (i.e. would send recognition awards, go out of their way to say thank you).

All of my managers were supportive, and willing to help or be flexible. I was on 3 different projects, so I had to contract a times where one project was particularly busy. All of my managers understood this and were willing to help me and adapt to this. They also were willing to give me feedback, which I found really helpful in terms of personal development.

I would say this varied. Some days I would get in early as meetings were scheduled before 9, but other days it was more relaxed. Day to day I would say I had an average workload, it was stretching but not so busy I had to stay late.

I was given a significant amount of responsibility very early on, as I was placed on projects where you essentially have to own the project (i.e. setting up and running workshops, running your own focus groups).

Other than time management, the skills I developed aren't necessarily applicable to my degree (i.e. essay writing is very different). However I feel I developed interpersonal skills most over the year (i.e. better confidence, better communication, better contracting), which will set me up as a person outside of work.

It was great- everyone is very friendly and there is 'hot desking' where no one has a set seat so you are able to move around and choose where you would like to sit (i.e. if you would like to understand a different are of HR, you can go and sit with them).

I was brilliant line managers who made sure I was well set up for the placement.

I felt really invested in- everyone took the time to help me understand new things, and there is an emphasis at GSK to 'keep growing' (e.g. take time to do some learning that is unrelated to your day to day job).

To be transparent, very few HR IPs come back to GSK on the graduate scheme known as 'Future Leaders Program', though we are encouraged to apply. However, it is more likely to come back through direct entry upon graduation (i.e. into a role).

Great social scene- some IPs were really social and knew everyone. Again, this is what you make it. If you are willing to put the effort in, you can have a great social life. I think there can be a misconception that on placement your social life won't be a good as university- I didn't find this to be the case (i.e. we're all still students and still living together).

I was in London, so the cost of living is really high.

Brentford (i.e. where GSK House is based) is not good. There's very little to do there. However the majority of students lived in either Ealing or Acton and then travelled into the centre of London, which of course has great nightlife.

Yes, I was able to take an 'Orange Day' off work to volunteer at a charity, Over the Wall, which is supported by GSK. There are several things like this happening.