Marketing Brand Executive Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement at GSK. The work was varied and insightful within marketing. I was able to lead and get involved in a variety of projects in marketing and then also encouraged to try other projects in different parts of the business in the second half of my placement. My manager was very helpful and keen to help with my development and career progression.

All colleagues always encouraged me to ask questions if I was unsure of anything during and after meetings. I had regular check-ins with my team to share learnings and best practice in which every member of the team was listened to. I was leading projects soon after starting placement and was always respected and valued as a team member.

I was given strong support throughout my placement. My manager and I had official one hour 121 meetings every week, as lots of ad hoc catch-ups. Particularly at the beginning of placement, my manager always made time to go through anything I was unsure of or needed support on.

I was kept busy throughout my placement, with some weeks being more demanding than others. GSK has a good work/life balance so it was never expected that you had to be in the office really early of stay really late, but fairly regular hours. I was busy enough to stay stimulated throughout the year.

I was given full responsibility on projects. If there was anything I was unsure of or needed support on my manager would always help. But, I was given the trust and freedom to run my own meetings, agendas, presentations with colleagues more senior than myself. Although slightly daunting at first, this greatly boosted my confidence and gave me lots of skills to take on in my future career.

The skills I have learnt this year have been invaluable for my future career. I have gained knowledge of what marketing is like in a large pharmaceutical company and what this looks like day-to-day. The communication, teamwork, leadership, time-management, prioritisation, presentation etc. skills I have learnt throughout my placement mean I am so much better prepared for any future job.

The office atmosphere was always positive and friendly. Everyone is always happy for a quick catch-up and chat over a coffee. Meetings are easy to put in with anybody and everyone is always on hand to help in any way possible. Also lots of fun away-days and office events every week!

The placement was fairly well set up. At the beginning of placement the early talent team were helpful and set up a day for all new placement students to introduce us to the business. After the start, communication lacked and I didn't feel the early talent team were proactive in reaching out, had there been any issues.

The company was keen to make sure we had development plans, 6 month and end of year review and I had monthly development chats with my manager. I also had the opportunity to go on many training courses, ranging from presentation skills or negotiation skills to mindfulness and managing change. All employees, including placement student, were encouraged to attend these if they wanted to.

I still had to go through quite a thorough application process for the grad scheme, consisting of manager recommendation, job simulation and online interview and then assessment centre. I would definitely like to come back onto the GSK grad scheme, however it feels like doing a placement here doesn't put you at a high advantage compared to external candidates for the application process.

The social side of working at GSK was so much fun. I lived with other GSK placement students outside of my business area so it was very sociable and all the placement students got to know each other really well. Lots of work socials as well including a team day and night away, pub socials and the Christmas party.

I was based at GSK House in London so the cost of renting and socialising was pretty expensive. However, the placement is well paid so despite renting a fairly expensive property, I still had plenty of disposable income to spend on socialising and saving for my final year at University.

The Nightlife was great! GSK House is based in West London and on the Piccadilly Line so a short tube journey into the centre of London for all the major clubs and bars. The area is also surrounded by plenty of pubs for an easy trip after work with colleagues or other placement students.

Definitely. Within GSK itself there is a football team, choir and many other activities to get involved in. Living in London means almost anything else you could want to join is available. I took part in a Netball League in central London and there was also lots of more local Netball and Rugby teams.