Project Co-ordinator Review

I have enjoyed all aspects of the placement and especially the high level of responsibility that it involves. I have particularly enjoyed working with the three work streams involved: Organisational Development, Continuous Improvement and Project Management. Being involved in the project from it's beginning has enabled me to whitness it's evolution and been a great learning experience. Moreover, I always enjoy the more active aspects of the role, including setting up for workshops either on or off site. The building I work in is amazing and the culture of the company makes you feel welcome and happy.

My colleagues always say thanks for the help I provide them for workshops. They often give positive feedback which motivates me to do even more. A particular high included a broadcast from the Chief Executive, in which he talked about the project I have been working on; proving the projects importance within the company and how fortunate I have been with this placement.

My line manager and other manager have been extremely supportive and are often spending time with me to explain company restructuring or transformations that are going on. Members of the Project Management Office are always willing to help me and teach me how to carry out tasks given. This sometimes includes hourly sessions used to teach me how to use specific computer systems.

This varied on from week to week, according to how many project workshops were going on at any one time. Usually I was very busy, but this was not to the level of causing stress and there were always others to support me and take some of the load. I share my job role which means that we spread the workload between us. If there is a period with fewer amounts of work, mangement and members of the project will give me new and interesting things to do to increase my learning.

Managing the 360 feedback for over a hundred employees of a very high level was a huge responsibility. From day one the team trusted me to complete important tasks without feeling as if someone were watching over me. The responsilibity has since then increased and they are keen to use all of my skills and knowledge around the content of the project and invite me to all team meetings.

The skills I have developed at GSK will help me enormously when I return for my final year of studying. In particular skills that I have learnt around teamwork and project management can be applied to any group work projects I do in final year. This is from the smaller methods used for decision making, to tools used to help plan work, manage time and solve problems.

An excellent culture within the office building of GSK House. Everyone has a great approach to life including various members of staff who offer advice to employees and life coaching. You always feel as though you are valued and everyone seems happy and relaxed in the office.

The assessment day was extremely well prepared and smoothly run. Although I was the first person to be placed in this role within the oragnisation they were extremely clear from the beginnning about what my role was and the training they gave me.

GSk could not have done more to develop my skills in the corporate environment. Constantly finding me new tasks and new areas to get involved in promotoes my learning in all areas of the company. Often I am invited to attend workshops or training sessions merely to develop my knowledge of other areas of the business so that I have a broader understanding of the strategic goals.

I would love to work for GSK again in the future, however at the moment during the HR transformation there are no HR graduate schemes running. There are however graduate schemes in all other areas of the business which is something to think about.

Yes there was a good social scene such as IP nights out, however I have been inable to attend most as I am living with fellow University friends from Bath. It would have been enjoyable and more inclusive to have an IP induction week or event, as many of the IPs live together and this means that it is hard to get to know them if you do not live with other GSK placement students.

Living in London is extremely expensive and I had to find a second job to afford the living costs of rent and socialising.

There are a few pubs but not many clubs or bars around this area, however it has been easy to go into central London where the nightlife is amazing!

The Placement students nights out were run every few months. There were also various sports classes available subsidised at the local gym. Other than this we are given a day out to attend a charity. Living near central London means that you can always find activities to do.