Category Archives: Biosciences

Lakshmipriya, 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.

 

Emily, 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.

Katherine, Purchasing and Procurement

Kathrine, Conservation Biology and Ecology student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to improve her networking, receive advice on finding internships and learn about the different jobs available in this industry. Through the scheme, Kathrine was matched with the Senior Commercial Services Specialist for Cornwall Council. This mentor is qualified in Procurement and Supply Chain management, MSc Climate Change and Risk Management, and BSc Geography with Environmental Management.

“Transferable skills I am likely to use in the future.”

Katherine achieved all of her objectives including increased knowledge of public sector employment, widened her contacts and networking, and was offered a work experience placement.

Katherine shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The opportunity to work with the local council gives an interesting insight into management within the county. Getting to know my mentor was fun and he gave me some good networking opportunities.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Networking and internship in a field I would not normally have considered but will give transferable skills I am likely to use in the future.

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

It’s a useful insight into careers and a great way to improve and develop transferable skills, even if your mentor isn’t in your field of interest.

Sarah, Charity and Development Work

Sarah, an Animal Behaviour student, was interested in a career in the Charitable Sector after volunteering for multiple charitable organisations. She wanted to learn more about the specific fields that are available in her specialism. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Sarah was matched with the Volunteering Development Manager for Children’s Hospice Association Scotland. This mentor also has a Managing Voluntary and Community Organisations foundation degree and vast employment history in this sector.

“For as little as one skype session per month you learn so much about life outside university!”

Sarah achieved all of her objectives including increased confidence and knowledge into this sector, increased knowledge of good and bad aspects of the profession and received help to improve her CV.

Sarah shared her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

I have really enjoyed being part of the career mentor scheme. My overall highlight was the opportunity to connect with someone who was knowledgeable about the sector I am interested in. Through this I now feel a lot more confident in my ability to find and apply for a job.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

An insight into what employers look for in an application form. I have gained tips on how to clearly put my skills forward. Through this I now feel more confident when applying for jobs.

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

Definitely go for it! The great thing about this scheme is that it fits around your timetable. For as little as one skype session per month you learn so much about life outside university! I have gained so much from the scheme, and would encourage anyone to participate.

Alice, Media, Publishing and Journalism

Alice, a Biological Sciences student, knew that she wanted to pursue a career with the BBC and so applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to improve her applications and learn more about working there. Through the scheme, Alice was paired with the Assistant Editor for BBC Radio Cornwall. Her responsibilities include the day to day running of the BBC Radio Cornwall, overseeing staffing and campaigns, and programming.

This is an opportunity not to be missed

Alice achieved all of her objectives including received advice on application forms for work experience, increased knowledge of sector entry requirements and received work experience within the media sector.

Alice talked about her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Receiving feedback on my CV face to face was invaluable. The advice was directed towards the work experience I was trying to gain from somebody who knew what the application process was like.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

CV advice and job shadowing

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

Do it! If you know what you want to achieve (i.e. job or work experience) and there is a mentor that suits you then this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Angela, Agriculture, Farming and Animal Care

Angela, who is studying for a MSc in Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture student, was interested in a career in the private sector that involved raising global and local good security issues to attention. She also wanted to learn about the Fertiliser industry. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Angela was matched with the Director of Ammonia Services for Fertecon Ltd, part of Informa PLC. This mentor has also worked as a Shareholder and Director for the same company which specialises in providing information and analysis around the Fertiliser industry.

I pitched a report to one of the oldest newspapers in England and got a contract as a consultant

Angela achieved all of her objectives including obtaining a paid job or internship with the help of her mentor, improve her personal develop skills and increasing her knowledge of effective interview techniques.

Angela talked about her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

There are so many!

  • I learned about the fertilising publishing industry in great detail.
  • I applied to many internship positions.
  • I pitched a report to one of the oldest newspapers in England and got a contract as a consultant!
  • All this would not have been possible without my wonderful mentor Vivien Bright.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The industry connections provided by mentor.

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

Do it! There is nothing better for your self-esteem and career than personalised advice from someone who has worked many years in the field that you are interested to break into.

Hannah, 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!

Alice, 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.

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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.

 

Anna, Science

Anna, a Biosciences student applied for the Career Mentor Scheme and was lucky enough to be matched with previously a Vice President of GSK. This mentor has a range of experiences with some of her previous employment includes Head of Pathology at Unilever, Scientific Director at Quintiles England and Director of Non-Clinical Development at Oxford GlycoSciences.

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Anna was really positive about the experience of being mentored and gave us some really great feedback.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I loved working with my mentor as she was very friendly and open to help about everything. All conversations and discussions with her were useful and relaxed.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Being supported by someone who is important in the field. It is good to know that someone who has already established themselves in that area is willing to help you do the same.

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

It is an amazing opportunity and I do not regret taking it. I met an amazing person, who helped me focus on what I need and realise what it is that I really want to achieve.

Jessica, Agriculture, Farming and Animal Care

Jessica was interested in going into Agriculture, Farming and Animal Care. A Zoology student she successfully applied to the Career Mentor Scheme and was matched with Head of Marine Species Conservation at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

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Jessica shared some details with us on the advantages of the scheme.

What was the highlight of the scheme for you?

The mock interview I had with my mentor in London.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Receiving help with my CV and creating competency based questions and answers.

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

Learnt so much from the experience would definitely recommend to anyone.