Industrial Student Placement 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

4.4/5
  • The Role
    4.6
  • The Company
    4.6
  • The Culture
    3.8

    The Role

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

    • It was very enjoyable, a lot of students were at GSK so it was a great opportunity to meet a lot of new people. The daily work in the lab was also enjoyable.

    4/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • My colleagues treat everyone the same. They listened to what the students said and so I felt very valued as a placement student.

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

    • My supervisor could not have given me more support. He would always help out whenever needed. Both with the practical work, setting an experiment up, and with the theory, explaining what was actually happening.

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

    • There was always something to do so you couldn't be sat around bored! The work balance was good though, I was not overloaded.

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

    • I was responsible for setting up and carrying out the experiments, and communicating the results back to the team.

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

    • I learnt so much about chemistry and this will help me so much in final year. But I also had the opportunity to understand what work will be like after university, and see how a company operates and the sort of work I could be involved in. This was the most useful aspect of the year out, as it helps you to decide what career you want, and maybe don't want. I also learnt a lot about the working environment and further developed communication skills.

    5/5

    The Company

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

    • Great atmosphere. Small team of 6 in the lab, but everyone was very supportive and took time to help you.

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

    • Very well.

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

    • There was many opportunities for personal development - lectures were regularly available for all to attend, tutorials out of work hours were set up, and chats in the lab about chemistry also helped to develop me as a chemist.

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

    • Flexi Time

    Sports and Social Club

    Subsidised/Company Gym

    Company Parties/Events

    Subsidised Canteen

    Financial Bonus

    Staff Sales/Staff Shop
    5/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • I don't think I will get the degree they are looking for - a first.

    3/5

    The Culture

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

    • They took on a lot of placement students so there was a lot of social events set up.

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

    • I paid £335 a month rent for a very nice 4 bedroom family house. The cost of socialising was average, standard Spoons prices.

    4/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • There was one club in Stevenage, so nightlife wasn't that good. But it is on the door-step of London, so that's a winner!

    3/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • I didn't really look into that.

    4/5
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Details

Placement (10 Months+)

Chemistry

South East

September 2014

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