I spent a week at Pharmora, where I had the opportunity to shadow medical scientists at various stages of their careers, ranging from trainee medical scientists to experienced professionals who had worked in the industry for over 10 years. 

During my time at Pharmora, I was exposed to a wide variety of projects, which gave me valuable insight into the company’s day-to-day operations. I observed how different team members collaborated, shared ideas, and supported one another throughout their work. Senior members regularly reviewed the work of colleagues in training, offering constructive feedback and guidance to ensure high standards were maintained. 

I was also given the opportunity to contribute to several projects, and the team consistently encouraged me to ask questions and engage with the work. One aspect that particularly stood out to me was the exceptional attention to detail demonstrated by the scientists. They carefully cross-checked every element of the data, including dates, laboratory values, adverse events, and any deviations from the study protocol. Their ability to identify inconsistencies in patient datasets highlighted the importance of accuracy in maintaining the integrity of clinical trials. 

I found the team meetings especially interesting, as they allowed individuals from different professional backgrounds to share their perspectives and expertise. For example, Dr Jones provided clinical insight into the data, while other scientists contributed their own specialist knowledge.  

I was also assigned a buddy for the week, who was incredibly supportive and regularly checked in on my progress. We held daily meetings to discuss what I had learned and worked on each day. She was always happy to answer my questions and provide further clarification and examples whenever needed. 

The team worked extremely well together in the office and seeing them spend time together outside of work helped me understand why they collaborated so effectively. They also organised badminton sessions, which were particularly enjoyable and quickly became quite competitive. 

My buddy also took me on a casual tour around the scenic town of Macclesfield. Although the cobbled streets were beautiful, they were certainly not the easiest to walk on in heels! She also was a great baker and kept me well fed! 

Overall, my week at Pharmora was not only insightful and engaging, but also highly enjoyable. It really felt like one big family, where everyone was genuinely happy to help each other, and worked hard for a common goal. This experience reinforced the importance of collaboration, communication, and teamwork within a professional environment.