Category Archives: Science

Lakshmipriya, Science

Agriculture Farming and Animal Care, Biosciences, Science

Lakshmipriya, Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn about the opportunities for postgraduate students in the industry, but also find uot about daily working life. Through the scheme, Lakshmipriya was matched with a mentor who holds a BSc, ARCS, PhD and DIC, and was a Group Leader at Syngenta with extensive experience within his field of science.

Lakshmipriya tells us more about the experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Lakshmipriya achieved many objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector
  • Received help to improve CV
  • Widened contacts and networking opportunities

Lakshmipriya also found our more about using online platforms, such as LinkedIn, effectively.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

Being able to talk to an experienced person about the workplace environment was really helpful. It also helped knowing what they thought about my experiences, skills and their advice on specific areas of personal development helped.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chosen sector as well as advice about achieving entry into that sector.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

The beauty of the scheme is that the more you put in, the more you get out of it.

 

Barnaby, Environment and Natural Resources

Agriculture Farming and Animal Care, Environment and Natural Resources, Geography, Science

Barnaby, Geography student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to develop confidence with attending interviews and gain an understanding of working in this sector. Through the scheme, Barnaby was matched with a Biology graduate from the University of Exeter who is now an Associate Director at Atkins Plc.

Barnaby tells us more about his experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Barnaby achieved all of his objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge in finding internships and work experience in this sector
  • Improved personal development skills
  • Increased knowledge of sector entry requirements

Barnaby was also able to improve his understanding of key legislation affecting the industry.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The noticeable increase in my confidence when attending job interviews, largely due to the unique insights into the sector my mentor was able to provide me.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The opportunity to ask industry specific questions about the application/interview process that would be difficult to ask while networking.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

The scheme provided me with an amazing opportunity to gain unique insights into my desired industry, and helped me to stand out when attending interviews. I’d advise every student to take part in the scheme to gain new contacts and an understanding from professionals who have been there before.

 

Emily, Science

Biosciences, Science

Emily, Zoology student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to improve her employability, receive advice in finding work experience in this area and gain some useful contacts. Through the scheme, Emily was matched with the Principal Research Scientist at Rothamsted Research. This mentor specialises in the agricultural inventory of greenhouse gases and research on gaseous emissions from agricultural soils.

“It gives you an idea as to whether you want to go into that”

Emily achieved all of her objectives including learning how to write effective applications, receiving help with her CV and increasing her knowledge of sector entry requirements.

Emily told us more about her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

Got to know more about the jobs that I would potentially be interested in going into and got an offer of doing some work experience with my mentor.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Work experience and getting an idea of how she got into the profession.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Apply for something you are interested in and learn more about the sector and try and get some work experience with them as it gives you an idea as to whether you want to go into that sector as well as giving you networking opportunities.

Nicola, Science

Geography, Science,

Nicola, a Geography student, was looking for guidance through the job hunting and applying process, along with building a professional . Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Nicola was matched with the Head in the Centre for Research Services for Forest Research, the researching agency of the Forestry Commission. This mentor has many qualifications including BA Geography, MSc Environment Forestry, PhD Remote Sensing of Forests and Fellow Institute of Chartered Foresters.

“A valuable experience which I fully enjoyed”

Nicola achieved all of her objectives including receiving help with postgraduate education choices and the application process, widening her contacts and networking opportunities and increased knowledge of good and bad aspects of the profession.

Nicola shared her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

  • Gaining an insight into the Forestry Commission, including a tour of the research centre.
  • Help with gaining an internship in Iceland through advice from career mentor in a subject related to my academic dissertation.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Postgraduate advice
  • Insight into possible future profession
  • Help with gaining an internship

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

I would express the importance of always staying in contact with your mentor, and using the opportunity fully. For example visiting the work place and asking questions about their work. This was a valuable experience which I fully enjoyed and appreciated.

Callum, Science

Geology, Science,

Callum, a Natural Sciences student, was interested in a career that provided skills and training and supports developing areas of science, such as the Civil Service. He was also looking to increase industry knowledge and work on personal development. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Callum was matched with the Vice President, Primary Business Planning at GSK which involved the development and implementation of strategic plans. This mentor’s previous employment includes Planning Executive, Respiratory Product Stream Director and Senior Research Fellow.

“Create an action plan so that you achieve your aims and make the most of your six months on the scheme”

Callum achieved all of his objectives including receiving feedback to improve applications and CV’s, increased knowledge of sector entry requirements and increased knowledge of good and bad aspects of the profession.

Callum gave some insight into his experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

  • Recognising weaknesses, e.g. overlooking some of my previous experiences in applications
  • Looking at career progression and choices, what is fundamental to progressing in a career once you have started one

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Having somebody to give impartial career advice has been really helpful.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Start with knowing what exactly you want to get out of the scheme, then create an action plan so that you achieve your aims and make the most of your six months on the scheme.

Joanna, Science

Law and Legal Services, Medical Sciences, Science, , , ,

Joanna, a Medical Sciences student, was passionate about the science and technology industry and wanted to investigate a career in computational biology and law. Her aims of the Career Mentor Scheme were to receive guidance on how her two passions of law and science could be combined into a future career. Through the scheme, Joanna was matched with a Chemistry alumnus who is now the Head of Unit at the European Patent Office based in Austria. Nigel has also worked for the Ministry of Defence, at the University of Surrey after completing his PHD and as a Research Scientist.

“A new perspective”

Joanna achieved all of her objectives including help with interview preparation, advice on pursuing a PhD and received academic support from her mentor.

Joanna talked about her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Help obtaining a new perspective on my future career plans.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chosen sector, and how many paths there are into this career.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

You will not regret it.

Hannah, Science

Biosciences, Healthcare and Wellbeing, Science, , ,

Hannah, a Biochemistry student, was interested in learning more about scientific careers in different sectors, widening networking contacts and learning about the job application process. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Hannah was matched with a Health Research Scientist for the Met Office with qualifications including PhD in Surgery and Civil Engineering, PGC in Workplace Organisation, CPhys, PGCE in Physics and Science, MInstP and MPhys in Physics with Astrophysics. This mentor also has previous experience as a Physicist, Lecturer and Product Development Scientist.

“My mentor gave me some great feedback and tips”

Hannah achieved all of her objectives including increased knowledge of sector entry requirements, increased knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector and received help to improve CV.

Here is what Hannah said about the scheme:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

I had a mock interview which was very helpful and my mentor gave me some great feedback and tips on how to improve.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Improved job application skills

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

If it will take you out of your comfort zone then it’s a sign that you should do it. Also, it is something you can add to your CV!

Anna, Science

Geography, Science, ,

Anna, a second year Geography student, took part in the Career Mentor Scheme in 2013 and was assigned a Scientific Consultant for the Met Office. The mentor had a BSc in Geography from the University of Birmingham (2011) and an MSc in Applied Meteorology from the University of Reading (2012). Her role for the Met Office involved working on meteorological consultancy projects across a range of sectors, and she was also a member of Weather Analytics where she was responsible for supplying historical weather data to clients.

anna

Anna said she felt she had achieved all of the objectives she had set for the Career Mentor Scheme, including:

  • Developing professional contacts and networking opportunities
  • Gaining knowledge of how to get in to the environmental sector
  • Improving her CV and getting help with application forms, cover letters and interview techniques
  • Gaining professional work experience

We asked Anna a few questions about her experience. Here’s what she said…

What was your highlight of the scheme?

Gaining two days of work experience at the Met Office and having the chance to network with people who work there and build contacts.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Apply, as it can lead to valuable work experience and the chance to have 1:1 career advice and guidance from a professional.

 

 

Alice, Science

Biosciences, Science, , ,

Biochemistry student Alice was matched with a Biochemist at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This mentor has completed a Biochemistry degree at Exeter and then pursued a PhD in Biological Sciences. Her main responsibilities include conducting seed Biology research at Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, publishing work in scientific journals and training and supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students.

botanic-garden-1171468

We talked to Alice in more detail about her experience of the Career Mentor Scheme.

How do you feel the career mentor scheme has helped you overall?

  • Improved my confidence to seek graduate level employment
  • Improved my personal skills needed for graduate level employment
  • Helped me prepare for my next steps – graduate level employment / further study
  • Professional experience to put on my CV
  • Gained work experience / internship
  • Made a friend / future professional contact in my mentor

How do you feel the mentoring process has enhanced your employability?

By participating in the Career Mentor Scheme, I have picked up valuable skills which will improve my chances of finding employment within the Science sector. Specifically, the opportunity to participate in a 6-week summer internship not only taught me important lessons in how a lab is run, but it also prepared me for my third year research project within my degree.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

For me the most useful aspect of the mentoring scheme was the opportunity to carry out the internship. This gave me time to get to know my mentor better and learn more about her experiences within the Biochemistry sector. It also allowed me to undertake my own research, giving me a level of independence I had not been able to gain through undergraduate lab sessions. The time working with her allowed us to build up more of a rapport and build a long lasting relationship.

Why should students apply to have a mentor?

Students should apply for this scheme as it gives an opportunity to experience the sector they are interested in hands on. It allows you to meet an alumnus from the University who can share their experiences with you, plus give you advice on steps to take to get further in your chosen career.

 

Lucas, Science

Geography, Science,

Lucas, a second year Geography student, was interested in Science and Geography. He was assigned the Head of Centre for Research at the Forestry Commission in Farnham. This mentor graduated from Exeter in 1998 with a BA (Hons) in Geography. From there he went on to further study an MSc in Environmental Forestry and then a PhD in Remote Sensing of Forests. He has been working at the Forestry Commission in the department of forestry research since 2007 where he has worked his way to the post of Head of Communications and Operations.

Lucas said that he achieved the objectives he was hoping for in taking part in the Career Mentor Scheme.

  • It improved and required management skills, it was down to Lucas to set up and organise meetings with his mentor at a time that was suitable for both of them
  • The mentor scheme improved the students confidence for seeking graduate level employment and gave guidance to help prepare for the next steps after University
  • The mentor scheme gave a useful insight into the profession with helpful advice on good/bad aspects of a career from someone in the know
  • Useful to understand if your current career ideas are right for you and how you can go about getting into that career

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

  • Meeting with someone who is employed in the field you are interested in to give you useful insights and information about the career field to explain real life positives and negatives
  • Having someone to discuss your future career with is very useful with someone asking specific questions about what sort of business size and team dynamic is important to define exactly what direction you want to go in and what kind of company is most suitable for you
  • Expanding network and encouraging and helping student to find internship opportunities
  • Mentor discussing University work with student and discussing ideas and progress to help with perspective of degree in career path

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Getting advice on the career I wished to go into from someone in the know and the wealth of resources and people I could talk to about career opportunities.