Laboratory Scientists Degree Apprentice Review

Research scientist working in a laboratory, on upcoming and current drugs on the market. Working as a crystallisation scientists to perfect and purify the process of making the drug compound for manufacture. This involves the crystallising and isolating crude material to assess the outcome using a combination of different characterisation techniques, such as the Optical Microscopy/ G3 Morphology/ Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Powder Diffraction. I use these to assess that the crystals grown, are the “right particle”. This includes looking for the correct form, purity, size and shape etc. I have been responsible for supporting high importance projects for both manufacture and development, regularly presenting my work to project leaders and other teams in the department.

AstraZeneca offers so many training courses and encourage employees to always better themselves, since I started, I have attended presentation skills and “meeting behaviour” courses and learn such simple but effective techniques to become more professional. I have developed these along the way surpassing way further than my own expectations. While working at this company I have developed many of the skills that I already had from college and school. My skills have come so far and I can see how much further they can go. I have developed countless new skills that I didn’t know I would be able to and improved on skills such as soft skills and people skills, these have excelled further than I thought they could. I already saw myself as confident, friendly and easy to talk to but I am extremely happy with how far I have come since working here. I can still see room for improvement which I see as a goal to work towards. My professional Lab independence has developed beyond anything I could have imagined, I am trusted and left responsible for high value experiments and extremely sensitive pieces of equipment without question.

I really enjoy my programme as a whole and feel so welcome and comfortable with all my team in the workplace. I enjoy coming to work every day and love the environment I work in, this is faultless. There is so much to learn and enjoy every day and so much support available. The education provider can make it very difficult to get the support and understanding you need but often all criticism is taken on board and amendments are sometimes made the ease situations. The course style provided by the university is not consistent and can often make this side of the apprenticeship not as enjoyable as it could be, I feel the university could improve a lot.

The University work and the on-the-job work does align sometimes making it very useful to link the two experiences but for the most part, I my job is very distant to my education programme. However when looking at the bigger picture I can see how both parts will eventually pull together to give me the best possibilities. The structure of the workplace learning is hard to plan as this often needs to align with company demands but I feel my on the job work is as well structured as it can be. Sometimes the education provider lacks in organisation due to many different online platforms being used by multiple tutors making it hard to understand what is being asked of us students, but this can usually be solved each time by a exchanging a few emails for clarification. The communication between the students and the university could improve much more, I feel the course can be hard to follow and university forgets about the online students and we can often feel disadvantaged.

I receive all possible support I would ever need. All team members and fellow colleagues help me both with my practical job and my university studies. They allow me to have access to any personal tutoring and resources I may require. I also have many contacts willing to provide advice and tutoring as and when I need the support. Although always being reassured that the support is available, I don't always want to ask for it as I may seem as underachieving for needing help but this is only down to personal preference. In terms of my job, the employer is exceptionally supportive of my training and development, always encouraging me to learn new skills and progress continuously.

The university provides a lot of the materials needed to work towards your qualifications though they could be better organised sometimes. There is often gaps in the learning that you may have to ask for help with though you are expected to do a lot of your own learning too. Whenever I have ever asked for help I have always been provided with a contact to ask for advice or a source of help, this can often be delayed or you could be made to feel you should already know this. On the odd occasion, tutors are asked numerus times before the question is answered in enough detail to be helpful. Tutors and University staff are proactive in providing skills workshops throughout the course and for each module there is tailored help available to access.

Some modules that I am required to complete at University teach me information that I would not have known otherwise, such as safety data sheets, COSHH and workplace regulations. These all became very useful when having to do my actual health and safety assessments at work. I have briefly touched on Spectroscopy, some instrumentation and basic crystallisation at university which is all used at work. The chemistry education at university definitely helps ground a base for the chemistry we do in the lab at work. Some of the modules and units teach the basics of chemistry discussed in work but due to the constant high level of science in the workplace, this is often too late and I have already learnt what I need from the employer.

In my workplace I have lots of opportunities to join groups and extracurricular teams to learn about new things. I am currently part of the culture connect team which involves organising charity events and fundraising in the workplace. In this team we also organise workplace social events and get togethers. I am also quite proactive in organising meetings with people Who I see doing things that I would like to learn about. I often sign up to extra learning courses to find out more about other parts of the workplace. This has allowed me to network much more across the department. The apprentice community is also very big, we often meet up in large groups for a coffee and a catch up.

Yes

During my time at AstraZeneca so far, I have been made to feel part of such a huge community so quickly And I was so overwhelmed by my welcome from everyone in my team and in the wider workplace. I settled in pretty quickly and started to thrive and learn straight away. AstraZeneca is an amazing place to work and you are always made to feel comfortable and open about any issues you may have. I feel safe and looked after while at work as well as feeling privileged to call myself an AstraZeneca employee. I have learnt so much since working at this company both physically and mentally and I truly believe I am a better person since working here.

Always be honest to yourself and show any interviewers who you really are. AstraZeneca don't expect anything more than you are and they don't ever want you to pretend to be better. I feel comfortable with the level I'm at no matter how much higher someone may be. AstraZeneca wants their employees to be honest, caring, motivated and proactive. Make sure you always do and follow what your enjoy and believe in.