1. 13th Annual GSK Residential Chemistry Training Experience
A short summary and reflections of my experience at the RCTE

2. 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

3. 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!

4. 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