Laboratory Science Apprentice Review

Going into the lab and counting cells then carrying out experiments or being trained on a new technique. Analysing data and being trained on different software. Writing up experiments in the laboratory notebook and presenting data you have generated. Attending meeting to get a wider overview of the company or to get an idea of what other departments are doing.

I have learnt so many new skills, I was never the most confident presenter but now I can do it with almost no problems. The amount of new skills you learn in the lab is incredible as I had done none of it before at college, so everything I did was new.

I extremely enjoy this programme, I love working with established scientists who are so knowledgeable and eager to push my learning by offering to teach me new techniques in many different areas. I love the fact that we get the same employee benefits as the permanent employees as it makes me feel even more part of the company.

It is very well organised, but structure could be better. When I joined, I was just helping around the lab and becoming familiar with using the equipment, however this is what I was still doing 4/5 months in. It would be nice if there was a project already planned out for us that we can get stuck right into, like there is for the university placement students. However apart from this, everything is very well organised, with plenty of meetings to catch up on how things are going and we are given time off to study for uni.

My manager and other members of the team are so friendly and always happy to help if I'm struggling with something. The early talent team are also there for any other support and we have a mentor who we can talk to confidentially if we are having any other types of problems. However, they don't give any help or support if you have to move when you begin the apprenticeship

The academics almost always answer any questions and mark work and provide feedback very quick, usually less than a week. We are given past papers to help with exam prep and the study guide gives all of the information we need to know for the exam and we all know what we need to do to achieve high grades.

Experiments in the lab make a lot more sense when you understand the theory and biology behind them, so it makes it working a lot easier and easier to explain when presenting. Understanding the biology is also necessary for troubleshooting, so if something goes wrong, you need to know the processes inside of the cell to try and determine what the problem might be.

Yes, there is an on site gym which holds classes and sport events. There are a few lunchtime clubs e. walking or bootcamp (training for tough mudder). There are also departmental coffee mornings which allows us to socialise with people in the department that we don't see too often.

Yes

The apprenticeship is great and I would fully encourage anyone to do it. You come out of it with 3-5 years of industry experience and a Foundation degree or a bachelor of science degree whilst being paid, it makes you extremely employable and puts you above people leaving university with a BSc and 1 year industry experience.

Read up on the GSK values and really think about your motivation for joining the company: why do you want to be a scientist/ work for a science company, how do your own views match the GSK values, what do you think you have the potential to do within this company and what do you want to achieve?