Industrial Placement Project/Electrical Engineer Review

Really enjoyed it, invaluable experience. Working alongside engineers of a variety of disciplines gaining a true insight into engineering in Industry.

One of the group. It was great, welcomed in, seen as one of them rather than just a student. Friends not just colleagues which made the experience more enjoyable.

Anything I needed, any queries or problems I may have had, there was always someone who could help.

There are always days at work that go slow, but I always had some work to do. From creating to carrying out protocols, researching and wiring current transformers. A variety of work, always kept busy, but perfect balance really.

My responsibility grew throughout the year, firstly assisting on jobs. Then towards the end, I was taken responsibility for projects of my own. It was a good chance to see what is involved in project management, and leading others.

Everything I learnt I believe I can use, one way or another. Whether it be hands on engineering for a future job, being able to put theory into application for my degree or the confidence I gained just for life in general. Invaluable!

I think the office I was in was one of the more serious areas but members of the team were always up for a laugh. Good working environment, but not too tense.

GSK have been providing students with placements for years, so they know what they are doing. the training we receive and the overall development as an engineer makes the placement worthwhile. Organised so that the placement student receives an insight into the various engineering disciplines, and how one another work together within projects. Personally, only problem was I was the first electrical student so not completely sure of where to put me, but it worked out well and I gained a lot.

You are one of their employees, so any training that my colleagues were having to do, I did too. From understanding the business, to fire extinguisher training. If there is some training more specific ad applicable that comes up during your time on placement I believe they would put you forward for it.

Very, I'm trying to go back! They offer a graduate training programme which being on placement will aid in the recruitment for, plus if a job comes available outside the programme, I am definitely applying.

Definitely. Amongst colleagues we had a few nights out, great fun, but most fun was amongst fellow placement students. There were 7 of us during my year, and we decided to do Halloween as the seven dwarves, such a laugh.

Really cheap for me as I was living at home. The site is in a village really so not a lot to do if you chose to live there, although a lot of people commute and the cost isn't ridiculous. Always money spare to socialise! My fellow placement students were in contact before commencing the placement and found somewhere to live together, which worked out well.

Not really a night life, few nice pubs/bars and restaurants. Closest town wasn't too far though, so taxi with a few people was easily justified and those nights were great!

I know some of the lads played football together, people in the office liked cricket and had a local team. There were activities at the sports and social club.