Undergraduate Research Placement Review
at AstraZeneca
Placement (10 Months+)
Science
Cambridge
Review Submitted: July 2022
Overall Rating
4.9 /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
5/5
-
Support and Guidance
5/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
Overall Experience
4/5
-
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 has been working in the neuroscience department at AstraZeneca. I have undertaken in vitro work to investigate pathway mechanisms for a project, in order to identify the effects of modulating this pathway.
At the beginning I received a lot of guidance, but I have increasing independence, meaning I can design experiments, analyse and interpret data and carry out practical work relevant to my project. I have also presented my work to the department.
At the beginning I received a lot of guidance, but I have increasing independence, meaning I can design experiments, analyse and interpret data and carry out practical work relevant to my project. I have also presented my work to the department.
Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
Yes. Although there are always people happy to help if I am stuck, I am mostly allowed to work independently and follow my own lead, reporting back to my supervisor whenever necessary. I am given work to do, but how and when I do it is largely up to me - which is why my organisation skills have had a little boost!
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?
From working in the lab, I have gained and developed practical skills which will help me with future laboratory work. I have also learned how to communicate data and complex information clearly to others, and how to gain efficient and clear feedback in turn. I have also develop my organisation and time management, as I often have multiple jobs to keep on top of.
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?
I receive a lot of support and guidance. The expectation for me to work independently increased over time, as I gained confidence in working, but whenever I am stuck or need help everyone in my team is more than happy to help. I have had help with every aspect of the placement and have had guidance to help with my university work from my supervisor and the rest of the department throughout.
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?
5/5
Company Culture
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
It was really supportive and inclusive. There are regular emails and training/feedback modules to ensure people feel comfortable and included at work. On a personal basis, everyone I have encountered has been kind and supportive. Whenever there is an issue, you feel heard and taken seriously, with people willing to make active changes if something isn't right.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the social opportunities?
5/5
How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
5/5
How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
5/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
I really enjoyed it. It has given me an insight into what working in industry can be like, and having this experience before I graduate is like gold dust, and I feel more informed going into whatever next steps I will be taking after my degree.
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 AstraZeneca
4/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
What advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca take their values very seriously, throughout the company people always refer back to the company values. Make sure you understand what they stand for and ensure that you are following those values yourself. It's a really great experience to have, so if you do manage to get a placement here, try to soak up as much from the place and the people as you can - but most of all enjoy it!
