Industrial Placement Student Review

by GSK

Best Student Employer

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

2.8/5
  • The Role
    4.0
  • The Company
    3.7
  • The Culture
    0.0

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

    • I really enjoyed my placement year, as I have learnt many new things, and been treated as an equal. I have been taught many new things. I have also been able to put into context much of the work I was taught at university.

    5/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • I felt very valued, as I was shown how to use a lot of equipment in my first few weeks, so was able to independently run them from this point onwards. This meant I was able to carry out work when others were busy. I was given a very good project, which I am grateful for, and was given much of the control for this, but I still knew I could ask for help when I needed it.

    4/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • My supervisor was very supportive, and gave me help whenever I needed it. He also gave me feedback on hwo to improve my techniques, which meant I knew how to improve.

    5/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • The area I work in involves very busy lab-based days, followed by very busy office-based days when the results are being processed. When waiting for results, I was able to get on with some other work, but sometimes I didn't have much to do (especially when the intrument was down for a few weeks). But more often that not, the balance was about right.

    4/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • I was given much responsilbity of my project, so was able to have a large input into what work we did next. I also helped to organise the IP Poster and Presentation Days, so had a lot of involvement in sorting this. This required much time.

    4/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • The skills I have learnt will undoubtedly help me throughout my final year, as I have been exposed to much equipment that I never would be at uni. If I am lucky to get a job in this industry after I graduate, I am sure the skills will help me then, as they can be transferred to other labs.

    5/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • Everyone was very friendly and supportive, and welcomed me into the team.

    5/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • We weren't told that we were managed by SRG, so this was very confusing at first. I think this should have been explained clearer earlier in the process. Also, little information was given about the arrangements for the first day (time to come in). However, the rest of the year was much better, as you were in contact with everyone constantly.

    4/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • As contract employees, there were certain limitations - we couldn't access some databases which would have been useful. But where possible, I was given training in everything possible, so that I could be as useful as possible to the team.

    4/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • Subsidised Canteen

    Sports and Social Club

    Subsidised/Company Gym
    3/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • Unknown currently. There has been a fast track graduate process we have applied for, but the R&D scheme hasn't been set up yet, but hopefully will be when I graduate. However, little details on this have been given.

    3/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

    • Not able to comment fully on this, as I lived at home and commuted.

    0/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • Not able to comment fully on this, as I lived at home and commuted.

    0/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • Not able to comment fully on this, as I lived at home and commuted.

    0/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • Not able to comment fully on this, as I lived at home and commuted.

    0/5
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Details

Placement (10 Months+)

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical, Science

South East

July 2013

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