Oncology Apprentice Review
at AstraZeneca
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Science
Cambridge
Review Submitted: February 2021
Overall Rating
4.7 /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
4.4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
I am base in the laboratory most of the time and I work with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. I isolate these and use different lab techniques to study pharmacodynamics in order to determine dosage and scheduling of drugs in the early phases of drug development.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy being able to apply what I am learning in my course to my everyday work and love that I am able to see the difference my work is making for the patients.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have developed personal skills such as presentation, communication, time management and more.
I have also learnt a number of new lab skills including western blot, cell culturing, sectioning of FFPE blocks, constructing and sectioning TMA blocks, running Peggy Sue capillary western blot, isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells, preparing cell blocks, and more.
I have also learnt a number of new lab skills including western blot, cell culturing, sectioning of FFPE blocks, constructing and sectioning TMA blocks, running Peggy Sue capillary western blot, isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells, preparing cell blocks, and more.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
My programme is well organised and structured with lots of people there to support you with different needs.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
AstraZeneca has provided a lot of support for skill development. We have had workshops in personal effectiveness, presentation skill and in the use of social media. Along side this, my supervisor and team I work in all give me support and training when I need it.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
We have tripartite reviews with our academic supervisor in which we discuss short-term and long -term goals and any issues. For each module there is an allocated member of staff that we can contact with any questions and arrange real-time talks to go over any specific topics that we are unsure about.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
it gives me a better understanding of the information behind the different techniques that I carry out in the lab
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There are networking events set up for the oncology department quarterly and there is a group for early careers that arrange different socialising events through out the year.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is a very innovative organised and friendly place to work.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?
Be yourself!
