Medicinal Chemist Review

I had an amazing experience in my chemistry placement. GSK has a well established scheme offering a years work in an exciting field at the cutting edge of research.

A very friendly atmosphere in the lab where I was treated like a normal member of staff, not just a student. Coffee breaks are a must and our office had weekly baking competitions to guarantee regular cake! :)

I was given a lot of help at the start of the year and throughout the year was allowed more and more independence in my work. But don't worry there will always be someone to make sure you're safe or if you just get stuck!

Doing chemistry, there is pretty much a continuous workload. Throughout the year I improved a lot on managing several experiments at once. If you're expected by your university to write a report/ sit exams during the year it can become a little stressful having to work full time as well as working in the evenings but I wouldn't say it was any more pressure than in any other year.

This can vary, depening on what kind of area you are wokring in. The more you pay attention and follow what is going on, the more you can input and suggest ideas. By the end of the year I was playing a much more active role in meetings and determining synthetic routes as well as suggesting some target compounds.

In just a few weeks of working at GSK I felt like I had learned more lab skills than I had done in 2 years of university. I also continuously felt like I had a real understanding of what I was actually doing instead of just following a prep and trying to finish as quickly as possible as I did at university.

The office had a really friendly atmosphere. But obviously it was also a place to do work so would usually be a quiet place to work (compared to the lab!)

Very well set up. On my placement there was even a week long lab training trip in Bristol Unviersity labs. The whole process seemed very organised,

I have had thorough training in medicinal chemistry and lab techniques. Regular seminars and lectures are optional but I have always been encouraged to attend them all to further my knowledge. Through GSK I have met several famous chemsits, including two Nobel prize winners!

To work in R&D in GSK in the future would be very appealing and I will definitely try to do so. Unfortunately, the job market is very challenging in every industry at the moment and these jobs are very competetive and very few are available at the moment.

Over a 100 students were working at the Stevenage site so it was almost like still being at uni.

Prices become higher and higher as you move towards London but you can always find things to do if you're wise with your money.

Stevenage night life is pretty dire but we still managed to have a good time. London is expensive but you're guaranteed a great night with some world famous clubs to visit!

I made the most of what was available to and joined the company gym and got involved with sports. Without being close to a university there is nothing like the amount of societies etc. you are used to at uni but you can always find things to do in London.