Microbiologist Review

I am a Microbiology Apprentice currently working between two labs supporting sterility testing and Media preparation. This entails me to test inside of an isolator and manufacture in house media before sterilising it in an autoclave. My role entails me to communicate across site as well as between labs especially if my senior is off when in the past I have took on some of their roles too. Currently I am also improving the 5S standards of media preparation laboratory with a project set to take me a couple of months but once finished will have huge benefits to the lab.

I have learnt many new skills I the year and a half I have been at GSK. They include; effective communication, organisation, team work and the ability to adapt to difficult situations and solve problems. I have also attended resilience training and many web seminars about how to manage your finances ect now I have a wage.

I love my programme, it has many opportunities to develop and interact with new people. I will be sad when my Apprenticeship comes to an end but hopefully I will walk into a full time roll here at GSK.

I feel some what valued, sometimes I feel my efforts go unnoticed however I am working on being a stronger individual that is not afraid to showcase what I have done instead of relying on people to notice when they are busy themselves. I have also had 4 global recognition awards for things I have done as being part of a stem ambassador, these areas are where I feel very appreciated it is more the workplace scenarios where I don't.

It could be better. I overstayed my time as a full time sterility tester by 2 months. Training has also been slow for both placements whilst studying has also been rather difficult to get the time to do. I have occasional meetings with my mentor and a two weekly meeting with my manager which is usually cancelled due to them being too busy.

We have very little support from our University and not much consideration for our circumstances, I feel this is because we are so far away (Kent to Barnard Castle). If I have a problem however there are plenty people willing to help me whether that be with my degree or work however in terms of my degree I would say overall that I am not enjoying it.

My employer, I feel gives me as much support as they can spare the time to. A scripted day for a manager doesn't seem to leave much room for them to be with their teams however if there is a problem they will drop things to help you out with it.

Very well, I believe I am very well trained for an apprentice. I am able to save over 500 a month for a house etc in the future with my wage.

Yes plenty I have done a lot of activities off site as part of being an apprentice. I have represented glaxo and also just myself on numerous occasions. We are quite rural as a site but my journey home allows me to unwind and go to the gym etc after work. If I wanted to there are sports and social clubs as part of GSK I could join.

Yes

Good company, pay and opportunities.

Learn their values and be confident and smiley at the assessment centre where you will be presenting your own presentation, interviewing, completing a group task and a practical task.