Trying out career plans
I hoped my placement would give me some real-world experience and help establish whether or not my current career plans are right for me. It did both.
I found the placement myself as the result of a personal contact. My role was similar to that of a lab technician, giving me plenty of practical experience and insight into the running of a small biotech company.
No regrets
The experience I gained and the people I met definitely made this placement worthwhile.
It’s shown me a lab-based career is not for me but I have no regrets about the time I spent there.
Establishing what does and doesn’t appeal within an area of work is one of the benefits of doing a placement and exactly what I wanted mine to do. I would recommend placements 100% and advise any student to use those who have already been on placement as a valuable resource.