Associate Study Manager Review

I really enjoyed my year at GSK, the hardest part of the placement was adjusting to a full time job whilst all my friends were still at university.

As the year went on and I became more competent in my role, I felt they viewed me less as a student and more as a proper member of the team. They were all very helpful in answering all the questions I had when I was new, and gave me much good advice with regards to careers in the pharmaceutical industry as a graduate.

My line manager was brilliant and was always available to me if I had a problem or question. She was excellent at helping me resolve any problems I was having and helped me identify where I could improve. She gave me some good careers advice, and really encouraged me in all I did throughout my year.

I found that I would have a couple of really busy days and a couple of much quieter days each week, and so got better at managing my workload so it was more evenly spread. I found as the year went on, my workload increased as I was given more complicated and time consuming tasks.

At the start of the year I would sit in meetings and struggle to follow what was going on, and by the end I was chairing some of these meetings! As my colleagues saw me settle into the role and become more familiar with it, I was given more responsibility. By the end of my year, the manager I worked with directly on one study had faith in my abilities and so had me cover for him whilst he was at conferences and on A/L.

I learnt much about general professional behaviour in an office environment, something my course would never have taught me. I have received a great insight into the pharmaceutical industry and am aware of the different avenues open to me as a graduate and how to go about pursuing them, which I know many of my course mates were unaware of. Whilst I did not learn anything specific to my degree, the time management skills have greatly aided me in my final year to balance all the work that is expected of me.

The atmosphere in the office was very industrious as everyone was very busy. Due to the hot-desking set up of the office, there was a good flow of ideas and a good community feel.

The placement was well organised, with all the training we were required to do set up for our first month. We knew from early on the projects we would be involved in, and when things didn;t go to plan, my line manager was quick to arrange an alternative. Throughout the year we received much further training, and I gained a broad experience of the role.

The training at GSK was really good, with regular courses we could attend. I had regular meetings with my line manager discuss my personal development, and I feel these helped me experience a range of opportunities throughout the year.

I would love to work for GSK again in the future as they are an excellent company to work for.

As I commuted to work from my parents home, I did not live with other students and so did not socialise with the others as much. There was another placement student in my department, and we became really good friends.

From speaking to students who did live nearby, cost of living is pretty average for the outskirts of London, but the proximity to London meant it was good for socialising.

I don't really know much about this, but from other students I heard that they mainly went into central London for the nightlife.

GSK operate an 'Orange Day' scheme where departments volunteer at a local charity for a day, and this was good as we were able to interact with colleagues in a non work environment. We also had a couple of department events such a meals out, at Christmas and at other points throughout the year.