Synthetic Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Review
at Pfizer
Placement (10 Months+)
Chemistry
Sandwich
Review Submitted: August 2023
Overall Rating
4.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4.5/5
-
Support and Guidance
3.8/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
Overall Experience
3/5
-
Future Career Prospects
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.
Lab work using synthetic chemistry techniques for the development processes suitable for large scale manufacture of APIs as well as research for the development of new routes towards pharmaceutically relevant targets. Laboratory skills are essential alongside bookkeeping with experiments, planning them and presenting findings.
Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
Yes the projects I was involved in I was responsible for the planning and execution of them as well as presenting findings to relevant people including members of the leadership teams and other management.
Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was
4/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?
New skills learnt include using analytical techniques such as NMR, HPLC, GCMS, LCMS as well as separation techniques by crystallisation and column chromatography. Also soft skills including teamwork, project planning, writing up experiments and presentation skills.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
5/5
How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?
5/5
How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development
5/5
Support and Guidance
How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?
My manager and I had regular 1 - 1 meetings and they were always available to ask questions and ask for help. During the initial month of placement my manager would also observe me in the lab and was always open to correcting me and answering any queries I had.
How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?
5/5
How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?
4/5
Company Culture
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
Company culture is good as everyone here is always open to receiving and answering questions. The atmosphere is one which is very inclusive where everyone has the ability to have a say on their work. During busy periods, the atmosphere did feel slightly more stressful however it was never detrimental the willingness of colleagues to help me and eachother out when any of us required it.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
4/5
How would you rate the social opportunities?
5/5
How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
3/5
How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
3/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
This placement has been a very enjoyable experience filled with many valuable opportunities to allow my growth and development as a chemist as well as allowing for the development of my skills as a member of the workforce contributing towards a collective goal. The work done on this placement was always something new and there were always new challenges which, once solved, were very rewarding.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on your placement / internship
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Future Career Prospects
Please rate the future employment prospects at Pfizer
3/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Pfizer to a friend?
Yes
What advice would you give to others applying to Pfizer
During the application stage be yourself! Show off the relevant experiences you have had in your past and show off your enthusiasm for the job role. At interview stage go into the technical interviews ready to speak whatever is on your mind and always try and at least attempt the questions. During the managerial interview touch on your relevant experiences to show that you are a fit to the department!
