13th Annual GSK Residential Chemistry Training Experience A short summary and reflections of my experience at the RCTE

Who am I and what did I want to get out of my time there? Full time OU student BSc in Natural Sciences-final year! PhD progression Insights into Pharma Networking opportunity A chance for comparison and some peer to peer interaction

What did the week include? One-to one lab sessions Interview skills and a chance to be interviewed by GSK staff Networking event, opportunity to meet academics from other institutions as well Presentation skills Finding out about the opportunities a degree in chemistry can bring A talk about the GSK-Strathclyde University PhD programme Copious amount of food and drink and free travel and accommodation-we were really looked after!

What did I take away from it? Peers and GSK staff alike were impressed by the discipline and motivation I had as an OU student From a potential PhD candidates perspective, I am stronger in certain areas than my brick uni counterparts (time-management, independent study, determination and resilience as well as general ‘life’ skills….comes from being ‘mature’) balances out weaknesses (lack of labs, not doing an Mchem) Useful contacts A continued drive and ambition to learn more about chemistry and to work in this field as a researcher