HR Placement Student Review

I had an amazing time working for GSK on my placement year. Despite going into the role, a little unsure what to expect, and also beginning with a huge learning curve (due to the nature of the business), I felt fully supported and inducted on to the projects that I was working on. I learnt more about HR on my placement year than I am sure I will learn about HR in the whole of my degree! I had some fantastic experiences, was given plenty of opportunities, lots of responsibility and can genuinely say that accepting a role with GSK was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

By the end of the year I felt very valued, and knew the value that I was adding to the business. At the beginning of the year my confidence led me to believe that I couldn't contribute any value, but through working on my confidence with my colleagues I have changed my way of thinking, and can definitely see the value and difference a placement student can have.

I couldn't have asked for more support from my manager, despite him only being in the country 3 days a week, and a very busy man. I knew I could always call/email/text him if I was stuck, and that he would get back to me as soon as he could. Given that he may not always be able to respond immediately, he instilled in me the importance of building up a support network within the wider HR team so that I could go to them too if I needed support.

Again due to the nature of my role I was very busy, probably one of the busiest placement students on my floor. However this meant that I was learning lots, could experience many different areas of the business, could get stuck into different and varied projects, and overall could contribute more to the business. However, my manager made it very clear to me that if I was feeling overwhelmed at any point, I could speak to him and we would re-adjust my workload.

I had a huge amount of responsibility in my role which was great. I can say that I owned and led projects, I improved many skills, I was given the opportunity to present to our Leadership Team, and I could really see the results of my work in the business.

The skills that I learnt do not directly correlate to my degree, however the professional skills which I have learnt have changed the way I approach university work and assignments which is making me more productive and time-efficient. The skills that I have learnt will also support me in graduate applications as I will be able to talk about what I have learnt, and how that will change my actions in the future.

Due to the fast-moving nature of our business unit the atmosphere was fun, lively, exciting and motivational. The whole office would become involved in new product launches, we would have company breakfast meetings and celebratory meetings with drinks when we had achieved great results. There were many charity work nights out which were fab for bonding and networking, overall I had a really fun time in the office.

Due to the high numbers of placement students that GSK take on, they are very organised, and have a seamless process from start to finish for candidates and the successful placement students.

I did not receive very much formal training and development as GSK prioritise 'learning on the job'. Instead I was invited to attend meetings which would increase my knowledge about HR which were of great value to me.

GSK have a high number of graduate schemes although they are very competitive to get a place on. There are also a number of direct entry positions across the company which may be more attractive to some students.

There was a great social scene across the business. We had a charity team of 20+ placement students were we organised social events to raise money, and there were also company conferences and christmas parties etc.

I lived at home, but from what I know of friends accommodation, the area is definitely more expensive than what you pay at university, however the prices, for living in London aren't hideous.

There were a number of pubs and clubs around which employees often visited.

It depends on what you are interested, there are lots of opportunities for social/volunteering work, and some opportunities for sport groups.