R&D Industrial Placement Student Review

I attend and participate in weekly meetings with my team to review the work we've all completed and collaborate with each other to plan the next steps in our project. I work in formulation so most of my time is spent planning and carrying out my own experiments in the lab as well as reviewing the data/results I've gotten from the lab.

I believe that this placement has helped me develop skills such as teamwork, communication, time management. Although the work I completed wasn't directly related to my degree, I still gained practical lab skills which are essential as a scientist as well as general skills that will help in the future regardless of the industry I chose to go into after I finish my degree.

I was given my own project to complete for the year, therefore I carried out my own investigation and experiments and presented my results to update my team along the way. The work I completed contributed to the team's overall project and helped in the progress of our goals overall.

Although I completed my project independently, my team were always there to support and help me whenever I was stuck. They regularly checked on my progress, how I was coping with my project and gave me advice whenever I asked. Despite coming from a different scientific background, my team made sure I understood the science behind our project, what our goals were and how my work fitted in with the wider team project.

Everyone was really friendly to me the entire time I was on placement. Employees were happy to help me out even if I wasn't in the same team or function as them. There are also many activities and volunteering opportunities that are organised inside and outside of work which provided opportunities to meet staff from other departments and to also have fun. All of the other placement students I met were really lovely!

Overall, I've enjoyed my placement year. I got to see and live in a part of the UK that I had never been to before. I've also made new friends and I've met some amazing employees who I've learned a lot from. I feel that this placement has helped me to grow my professional skills. I also had opportunities to volunteer and contribute to the local community.

Yes

Make sure to do as much research as you can about Unilever and familiarise yourself with the placement application process before you start it. Look through their website and check recent news/announcements from them. Make sure to demonstrate your knowledge of who Unilever are and their goals through the application process. Also make sure to be yourself and let your personality shine :)