Oxford Learning Lab Placement Student Review
at Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Placement (10 Months+)
Teaching
Abingdon
Review Submitted: August 2024
Overall Rating
4.3 /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
-
Support and Guidance
4/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
Overall Experience
2/5
-
Future Career Prospects
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.
My role was to support the function of the Oxford Learning Lab, a dedicated space that brings in local students from underrepresented backgrounds, allowing them to experience hands-on activities in science. I am in charge of logistics for these class visits, as well as volunteer organisation, communication with schools and partner organisations, lab infrastructure, and was involved in curriculum development, data analysis and tracking, event organisation, article writing, expenses and more.
Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
Yes - after I had spent the first few months learning and gaining experience in my role, I was the lead in communication with teachers to book class visits, order and organise logistics, setting up and cleaning the lab, organising room bookings, leading teaching on multiple lab activities, and given experience of a line manager during our Summer Internship Programme.
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?
I have gained a lot of pedagogic skills, understanding of the meta of global corporations, effective communication, presentation skills, use of Excel, Powerpoint, Smartsheet and Teams, experience of being a line manager, use of CAD-based software and 3D printing, critical eye skills and self-confidence.
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?
A lot of support and guidance. My manager was incredibly helpful in teaching me so much, and many people on-site and in the wider global teams helped support me.
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?
3/5
Company Culture
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
The R&D site I was located in was full of many leading scientists in this area, yet all of them were so lovely, and with my fellow 8 placement students and apprentices, it was a very comfortable, supportive and welcoming atmosphere. The company culture itself pushed for excellence and was a nice balance of support and pressure.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
4/5
How would you rate the social opportunities?
4/5
How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
4/5
How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
4/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
Immensely. I have had one of the best years of my life working at this company and in this role. I have learnt so much and am incredibly grateful to have experienced such a brilliant year in industry. I feel so much more prepared for a post-university existence, and appreciate how important networking and establishing connections can be.
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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals
2/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Vertex Pharmaceuticals to a friend?
Yes
What advice would you give to others applying to Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Show you are willing to strive for excellence and push for an inclusive, thriving working environment. That you bring so much more to your role than academic ability, and are willing to throw yourself into it wholeheartedly. That you work hard, but also know how to balance work with enjoying life outside of work too.
