Industrial Placement Student Review

Overall, the placement was very enjoyable. I found the first month or two to be quite challenging, but once I had gained some experience in the lab and with the computer systems I felt much more comfortable. I was exposed to some really interesting science and was able to use well equipped labs.

My immediate supervisor was great and did make me feel like my work was important. I am unsure how much the wider team valued my contributions; I did occasionally do some routine work, but I sometimes felt this was just to keep me busy or hone my skills, rather than to help them out.

Support by upper management is fairly limited. However, personally I cannot fault my immediate supervisor; a lot of time, support and mentorship has gone towards me this year. I always felt I had adequate guidance. This will obviously vary depending on your supervisor and how much time they are willing to give to their student .

Most days I had at least enough to do, and some days I felt too busy. The one exception to this was at the very beginning of the year; as it takes a few weeks to become independent in the lab and to get up to speed with your project.

I was given some input in decision-making. Everything was checked and I couldn't really do much without the say-so from my supervisor, but I think this is more normal in science, as doing something drastically wrong could result in wasting a lot of expensive reagents. I didn't necessarily feel limited by this.

I have learned so many skills this year! Lab skills, data analysis skills and more general 'soft skills'. I feel confident returning to university for my final year and I know that even if I do not follow a career in science, I have picked up some really invaluable skills during my placement.

There are always lots of people around, there is a culture of working hard and collaboration.

Well organised. The familiarisation day before starting the placement was very helpful and gave lots of information on both the work and living in the area. IT equipment was also all sorted out on the first day, which was good. There is a dedicated team that handles the placements, so there is always someone to contact if you need them.

The company clearly spends money on its placement students. You are provided with a laptop and have use of all necessary lab equipment and reagents. Students are not sponsored to go to conferences abroad, but if not for the covid situation, there would have been a trip to the site in Sweden.

I would definitely be interested in working with AZ in the future. I would imagine the placement programme would help a future application, but a job is definitely not guaranteed. There were careers talks which gave an overview of future opportunities in the company and I am considering following up with the graduate programme.

There are lots of industrial placement students, so there was a lot of socialisation outside of work. There is also a group specifically for students that organise social events.

Cambridge is relatively expensive when it comes to housing, but this can be managed by living with other students. Plus you will be getting paid while on placement, so it isn't too bad.

There are quite a few pubs around, but nothing huge. The nightlife will be what you make it.

There were a few opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work. Mostly these will be events organised specifically for students. Personally my team at work were not that sociable and we did not do any activities outside of work together, but this will obviously depend on the team that you are put with.