Recent Graduates

Pharmaceutical Sector Engineer – GlaxoSmithKline

A passion for technology led Mohammed to a role at GlaxoSmithKline. He tells us about the excitement of working in a huge team and achieving amazing results that can improve the lives of millions.

Why did you decide upon a career in engineering?

I’ve always been interested in science and technology. Engineering encompasses so much in our day to day life and I wanted to understand how things worked. Whether travelling on a plane, crossing a bridge or using a mobile phone, these are all engineering achievements.

What does GSK do and why is it a good place to work?

GSK is a research based pharmaceutical and healthcare company that discovers, develops and markets medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products.

There are a number of reasons why I enjoy working here. Firstly, it’s a great feeling to be working in an environment where the end product has a direct effect on the well-being of millions of people.

From a career point of view, GSK has such a wide range of manufacturing operations that there’s always the opportunity to learn new skills and further develop as an engineer. The other main draw for me is that there is big emphasis on people development. I’m always being supported in pursuing my chartership and developing my management skills.

What did your training involve?

Being on the Technical Development Scheme means that there is great focus on training and development. I have regular discussions with my manager regarding suitable training from both a technical and behavioural aspect. I have for example attended specialist courses for engineers in the pharmaceutical industry looking at good manufacturing practise and health and safety. I have also found courses on leadership and management very beneficial.

Ultimately though, I think the key is to retain the things you learn on the job. I’m continuously working on new projects and as such gaining new knowledge.

How did your degree help you in the workplace?

My degree has given me is a solid foundation to build upon. In most cases, working in industry allows you to see much of the theory you learnt in your degree being put in practice. I think having an engineering degree has given me the ability to pick up on technical matters quickly.

What is a typical day like for you?

On a typical day, I will be in the office for 08.30. The majority of the time I will split my day up between two or three projects. Currently, I’m working on a project to validate newly installed equipment and as such I spend a large part of the day testing on plant.

Throughout the day, I’ll also go and check on contractors working on jobs for me. This is to ensure that there are no issues hindering their work and to check on progress. The time spent in the office is usually on documentation, reports, project plans and for communication. I will usually finish work between 17.00 and 18.00.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy doing the problem solving – well, most of the time! Whether it’s a broken down production line or a leaking valve, it’s always a great feeling to fix a problem and get production back up and running.

One of the main draws to my current role as a project engineer is that I get involved in very different projects at the same time. For example, I’m currently working on a large construction project at the same time as I’m involved in technical projects in complex production facilities. This variation makes the role very interesting and rewarding.

What’s the most challenging part of the job?

The challenges I face vary from day to day - some are of a technical nature but those are there to be overcome and are part of the job. The other challenge is working on a big site with over 1,000 employees. As a project engineer, my work involves planning and coordinating activities involving staff from many different departments. Getting the relevant people together at the same time and place can sometimes be a real challenge.

What has been your biggest achievement so far?

Last year, I worked on a large project as part of a multi-disciplinary team tasked with improving packaging line efficiencies. It was a great experience for me as the team included very experienced and skilled colleagues and I learnt a lot.

It was also great to be a part of a project from the very start, to plan and set the strategy for implementation. The success of the project required us to technically improve the production lines, but more importantly to introduce better ways of working for the operators of the lines. The project achieved a high level of success.

What qualities do you need to succeed in your sector?

I think attention to detail is an important quality to have in the pharmaceutical sector. We are a highly regulated industry and the safety of patients depends on our products, so it’s vital to follow good manufacturing practices.

What lessons have you learned since graduation?

The most important lesson I have picked up is that learning really doesn’t end when you leave university. University will hopefully equip you with a good foundation and, as you start your career, you need to continue building your technical knowledge and developing your personal skills. The combination of technical and personal skills will allow you to progress in your career and be successful.

What does the future hold for you?

In the near future, I plan to complete my three years on the GSK Technical Development Scheme and obtain my chartership.

In the next five years, I would like to take on roles with increased responsibility and the opportunity to manage others.

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