Microbiologist Review

I learnt many different skills and each day was different tasks. I enjoyed the people I worked with and the relaxed, yet important working environment.

I was considered a member of the team as any other employee, with the same responsibilities and rewards. By the end of the year I was in a position to train new members of staff and left responsible for running certain areas of the department.

My manager and colleagues provided exceptional support both within work and outside of work. I was able to rely on them when I had problems and never felt uncomfortable or unsure about talking to them about anything. Management across the site in different departments were also supportive and able to answer questions I had to aid my personal development and understanding.

To begin with, as I was being trained in the department I felt very useless and unable to help. However, as I gained experience and confidence in the ways of working I began taking on more jobs, tasks and projects which filled my time and made my working experience much more fulfilling and valuable. My colleagues and manager were great in making sure I was never taking on too much or working over hours.

As I said above, I was given as much responsibility as any other member of staff. I was assigned important projects alongside the day to day routine work that meant I was made responsible for multiple tasks.

The technical skills I have developed on my placement will not directly aid my degree, but have given me a great insight into my future career opportunities and will help to to interview for future jobs. Transferable skills I have improved such as time management, leadership and communication will help me complete my final year at university efficiently and successfully.

The general atmosphere in my laboratory was mainly positive and open. I was able to talk openly to my colleagues, ask questions if I was ever unsure and never felt a severely negative vibe whilst at work. When the workload was high the atmosphere sometimes felt busy and frantic, but never negative.

Initially there were some issues with lack of communication before starting, but once I started the work was well organised and flexible. It was very much driven by my ambitions and desire for my own personal development. However, once I expressed the areas in which I wanted to develop the management were great at tailoring my work to this. However, personally I had no issues with the payment system but have spoken to colleagues who were taxed more than they should have been and sometimes paid double for holidays. This could have been organised better.

They invested an exceptional amount in what I wanted to learn and develop. As long as I was contributing to the routine workload, the rest of my time could be spent on developing my personal understanding of the business functions and developing skills. They were very good at adapting to my goals as well as the needs of the business.

I have applied for the GlaxoSmithKline future leaders program (graduate scheme) which I was also recommended for by my manager. This means that I will be fast tracked through the application process and straight to the interview stages.

The student social scene at my site was lacking slightly with only 7 students on placement, and the rural location didn't help. Colleagues were always organising and inviting me to social events, highlights being the Christmas party, my 21st celebrations and a meal for when I left. Other sites within the company had much livelier social scenes within the student communities. Unfortunately I was in a quiet area, but there is still plenty going on if you look for it.

The north in general is cheap but where I lived was quiet and inexpensive, allowing me to save money and also enjoy my earnings on the weekends. I was close to Leeds and Newcastle which allowed me to be in bigger city when not at work.

Nightlife was quiet compared to big cities, but again it is what you make it. Colleagues would always arrange nights out in nearby cities and towns - with the only downside being long taxi journeys.

Plenty of opportunities for those looking for more extra curricular. From school and university events to sports teams or just local events to go and enjoy. Although rural, there were plenty of farmers and other markets and events on the weekends, plus the company events at the sports and social club.