Embedded HR Review

I had the best year ever on my placement. I enjoyed it all - even when I was given really challenging goals and tasks.

I felt like a full time employee. No coffee making or printing.

My manager coached me through situations and tasks when I needed it. I felt really supported by my manager and everyone in the business. There was always someone I could ask for help. GSK is a really friendly company to work in, when all the new IPs started, that was what they noted as the biggest surprise, that everyone was so welcoming and friendly.

I had a lot of work to do during my placement, sometimes I was under pressure to get things done, but that was when I really developed the most. If I hadn't been stressed at times, I wouldn't have learnt important lessons on how to prioritise important and urgent work.

I was given responsibility of managing a budget, being the core contact for external suppliers and internal stakeholders, coordinating important events and trusted to manage my own time.

I was lucky to get the opportunity to attend a fair few training courses, get coaching from my manager and develop a lot of skills by doing the work itself.

It definitely wasn't dull! I was in a really dynamic and busy department. As part of the 'IP' team in our business, we were given the target to raise £15k for our Charity team. We ran events for our UK staff, like the 'Jubilee Boat Party' and we had a Christmas party and 3 day conference. I was based in the HQ in Brentford, and it's a really amazing office building. I particularly loved Kix coffee shop down on the 'street'. There was always stuff going on - even Lewis Hamilton came in the other week as we have a partnership with Maclaren.

I can't quite give full marks, as my role significantly changed during my year as we had a large internal integration. I was given a full week handover with the individual in my role before, but was really given the opportunity to make my own path for projects.

I went on a lot of courses, visited a toothpaste factory and had a 'personality preference profile' completed for me. I was trained on all the systems I use.

GSK have a lot of graduate schemes, and as an IP, you can complete a 'Fast Track' form to get fast-tracked to a telephone interview or final assessment centre. You get scored against GSK Behaviours/competencies.

I had such a fun year - went out more than I did at Uni. I met a lot of the IPs from the building (there are over 100!) through IP Unite, the IP community at GSK.

It wasn't cheap, but understandable as it is West London. Moved in to a flat with another IP halfway through the year. It cost a fair amount, but it was worth it being closer to work and everyone else.

No nightlife in the immediate area, but plenty a 10 minute train journey or 20 minute tube journey away! Fez club in Putney was a regular haunt!

There was Run for Good which is a Charity event which we run each summer, a football league and a lunchtime running club. Also you get discounts for lots of things with your GSK security pass. A favourite of ours was getting a free glass of wine at the science museum lates from the corporate area - really good fun!