Technologist Review

I absolutely loved my placement. My manager developed me in the right way and respected the fact that I also had work for university to complete while working there. The team I worked with was great and I got to work with a lot of different people and departments. The only downside I would say was that the work I was doing was not very chemistry based (although I don't think the position I was in could be chemistry based!) which I missed. But apart from that I couldn't fault anything else.

From day one the respiratory technical team made me feel welcome. I built great relationships which several members of the team and every member was happy to help me whenever I had questions. Even when times in work were tough, everyone picked each other up and helped to achieve our set goal.

I was given amazing support by both my line manager and supervisor. As above they developed me in the right way, giving me tasks to try and improve my weaknesses while still giving me tasks which I would enjoy. And together with respecting my university commitments as well. I was allowed to attend a conference to try and build my network and they also allowed me to help on tasks which I took interest in.

There were only a few occasions where I wasn't busy, however this was only due to the fact that projects were quiet at certain points due to other members of staff, which no one had control over.

I was given several projects to lead and from the first week my supervisor was trusting me with important tasks with short deadlines.

I didn't learn any skills on the technical side of chemistry degree, however I did learn valuable skills in team work, personal development, time management, organisation and project management. These are skills I can apply to any job in the future.

There was always a great vibe in the office, only on a few occasions when there was a serious amount of work needing done that there was no fun during the day.

Very well organised, however there was a slight lack of communication between the placement team and university and my supervisor/manager.

My supervisor invested a great deal of his own time, as well as doing his own job, to make sure I was happy and getting on OK.

I was offered a job with my team! Which is fantastic!

Myself and the rest of the placement students at GMS Ware became very close.

It was extremely expensive to life in Hertfordshire!

There were some good pubs, not many nightclub though. However, London was very close.

There were plenty of clubs in the local towns around work for various sports and activities.