"During my time here I have found that no matter who you talk to, people try to help and assist you."
Joined GSK in September 2007
What made you apply to GSK?
During my time studying for my degree in Process and Chemical Engineering I was aware of the opportunities to develop as an engineer in the pharmaceutical industry. Towards the end of my time at University College Cork I wanted to explore further the opportunities that were available within the pharmaceutical industry, and this is where I learned of GSK’s Technical Development Scheme.
What made you apply to the Manufacturing Development Programme?
I decided to apply as I felt that it offered a great opportunity to develop professionally as well as give a great spring-board for the start of my career as an Engineer.
What was your first role?
My first role was as a Continuous Improvement Project Leader in GSK Dartford. This role involved the day-to-day support of a manufacturing process. I was entrusted to ensure the smooth running and to improve the manufacturing process of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient. This involved some of the following aspects:
This role gave me a lot of responsibility and was a great way of learning and really understanding how a manufacturing operation works.
What have been your subsequent roles?
I am currently two months into my current role in GSK Ware, where I am working in the Process Engineering Department. As part of my role I support the implementation of on-line technology as well as the interpretation of data in relation to product quality. As part of my current role I work with particle scientists, chemometricians and technologists. I will work in Ware until the end of the year when I return to work in Dartford.
What kind of support do you get?
All graduates have a Personal Development Plan (PDP). This is used to set yearly objectives, and all development needs are identified. This is reviewed and updated throughout the year. GSK actively supports all Graduate Scheme members getting chartered.
A mentor is provided and together a plan to get chartered is developed so as to obtain chartership. On the graduate scheme there is an emphasis on training and development and a training budget is provided in order to focus on development needs that have been identified.
When moving from one site to another there is also support to be got from talking to other graduate scheme members in the site that you are relocating to. Having an instant source of contacts in another site can prove to be invaluable, when it comes to moving site, dealing with situations that involve another site or even when looking for training opportunities it shouldn’t be taken for granted just how important it is to have a network of people in different areas to that of your own.
What is the company culture like for you?
GSK has fostered a culture of learning and personal development, this is done through the use of PDP, chartership and mentoring. One of the best things about working in GSK is that you never stop learning.
There is a friendly atmosphere in all departments and areas that I have interacted with in GSK and other people are always quick to help out. During my time here I have found that no matter who you talk to, people try to help and assist you, this is very important especially when new to a particular area.
