External Supply Review

The work placement of 1 year was fun, interesting, and most of all a huge boost to my knowledge. Also, seeing how my theoretical studies at university fit in with practical and real work is useful in provng (or disproving) what is true to life.

My team of 20 or so people valued me as a team member and not as an add-on to the team. So, very valued.

My direct line manager supported me by ensuring that I have enough work to do, and most of all that the work is mostly challenging and varied. He also ensured that I was involved with other team members in other countries. Further, my manager helped with any issues I had and made sure I was happy. Weekly catch-ups were a bonus, especially when just starting.

As busy as I wanted to be - during the start I was less busy, but after I was confident in my abilities I took on more and more work so that I was busy 9-5 with work that I had chosen to take on.

Similar to the work load - as much responsibility as I showed interest and confidence in. I looked after 2 external contractors as the single point of contact for procurement and relationship activities.

Not having returned to university yet, I can only estimate, but I would say that my degree is surely going to benefit from this experience. Also, my CV has a great placement as a key talking point. Students not doing a placement, or doing an uninteresting and irrelevant placement would likely not have the same employability and life skills. I've also got a larger network of friends and a more rounded personality from becoming more confident and being put in situations unfamilier at first.

Relaxed, motivational, and friendly. I felt as though I could approach anybody whether for work reasons or just for a chat - which helped me get great exposure to other parts of the business.

Integration was easy, however there wasn't a structure for the placement - apart from a general structure from increasing responsibilities. I wouldn't say that this is an issue though, due to my manager having been through this process a number of times. Altough I wasn't given a structure as such, as projects come along for other colleagues, becoming a part of that project could be seen as structured.

I went on various training courses and one 2 day 'GSK Experience', which was an introduction to the company. However, there wasn't much active investment - it was all whether or not I was required to do it for compliace or if I chose to do it. The placement as a whole has developed me in a considerable way though, so I wouldn't see this as a downside.

I'm applying for the graduate scheme and also for any direct recruitment roles - I'd defintely come back if there was a suitable role. It depends on good timing though, due to the limited budgets and level of staff already.

It was quite good, especially the end of year boat-party down the thames that the IPUNITE team put on (they act like a society for all UK GSK sites). They put on around 8 activities throughout the year, and although I didn't go on them, I had lots of interaction with other IPs.

£££. I lived in brentford, which was quite expensive and socialising was equally expensive. It's affordable though, just not great for saving money too.

Brentford has quite a few pubs, and enough places to eat, but no clubs - need to travel by tube to somewhere else such as ealing or central london.

Yes, there are TVs around the building advertising activities, and there are always people within the team that belong to social clubs that you can go along to. Also, GSK has use of a few sports halls around Brentford which is useful. Not a wide range, but good for all of the standard activities.