IP Packaging Engineer Review

The placement has been very enjoyable though slow to start off with

I was highly valued by collegues and the majority of staff.

Initially support was lacking but later in my placement year the guidance was of high quality and support was given when needed/requested.

Day to day could vary from having little work to being rushed off your feet and having to stay late for a number of days.

I was given a project that i Headed myself and would report to senior management with my findings. I was fully responsible for this project.

The majority of skills I gained were mangement and project based skills though many statistical concepts were needed in addition to a baseline understanding of engineering. In addition to the skills base the experience and contacts made during the year will be invaluable in my future career.

Everyone is very easy to get along with and welcoming. The atmosphere is very friendly and genrally everyone gets along well with each other. A few team meals have been organised through the year.

Initially the organisation was lacking due to a site wide Audit. This meant for the initial period there was little work for me to be given. After this however I started to pick up smaller projects and once I had built up respect a more in depth project was given to me to manage and coordinate.

I was given several training oppertunities for site based training. I was also offered the chance to visit supplier sites to gain an understanding of additional manufacturing processes and was able to visit other GSK sites to see what else the business had to offer.

I have been recommended for the future leadership program and have been offered the chance of placement between my third and fourth years. These are University dependent but the prospects are good.

The Placement was based in WARE, HERTFORDSHIRE. Personally I lived too far away to join with the social events of the other students but I am aware of several evenst organised internally in addition to a governing body for placement students that put on several events both social and volunteer work.

The cost of living is moderate and the pay easliy covered it for most people. I lived with family so my outgoings were considerably less than the other placement students.

There is little nightlife in the WARE only a few pubs, however the nearby town of hertford had good nightlife and the trains to london make nights out there easy enough.

There were oppertunities as the company had a nearby social club that gave cheaper rates to staff, I however did not get involved with this.