Tag Archives: Science

Kathryn, Science

Psychology, Science, ,

Kathryn, a final year Psychology student, was interested in going into the Scientific Research and Development sector and applied for a mentor in this industry. She was matched with a UX Research Consulant at cxpartners. This mentor has recently moved from academic research into user experience research in the private sector.  Her main role is to carry out research on technological problems and to suggest solutions and designs to improve the experience for users by making the interaction simpler, effortless and enjoyable.  11139355_10155516572190181_484725343416135809_n

Kathryn gave us an insight of the benefits of the scheme to her career development:

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Getting reassurance throughout the year when I didn’t get a graduate scheme or bouncing ideas off them about what I really want to do.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into the different roles Emma had had and whether I was suited to them; guidance with career paths and graduate schemes.

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

Do it – you will gain so much from just a few emails, whether it is reassurance, advice, networking opportunities. It will all help you even if you don’t realise it at the time.

Anna, Science

Biosciences, 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.

Alice, Science

Biosciences, Science, , ,

Between May of her second year and October of her third year, Alice, a Zoology student was mentored by a Career Development Fellow 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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Alice shared the way in which the scheme was beneficial to her. She developed professional contacts and networking opportunities and gained an insight into further education and professional courses. Alice also developed an understanding of the route to a career in research and the difficulties that she can expect and gained academic support.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I gained a unique insight into my chosen profession, with both good and bad aspects of the job itself and the application process being discussed.

Her mentor said:

“It was nice to hear about my mentee’s career plans and to see how they crystallised during the scheme.”

 

Sophie, Science

Science, Sport and Health Sciences, , ,

At the end of her penultimate year Sports and Health Science student Sophie was matched with a previous Vice President of GSK.

This mentor’s range of experiences is extremely wide. 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.purple-pills-1-1539648

Sophie had some excellent feedback to give about her experience of the scheme. She achieved every single objective she had set, including gaining professional experience to put on her CV and developing her interview techniques.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Really useful to guide me in the right direction and increase my confidence about my future.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into the sector and help with CV, covering letter etc. Very useful to talk through future plans with my mentor.

Her mentor said:

“It was so rewarding to share my experience”

Peter, Science

Mathematics, Science, , ,

Interested in the Science sector, Peter was at the end of his second year of doing Mathematics when he was matched with a Research Scientist at NASA.

After completing his BSc in Mathematics at Exeter, this mentor red an MSc in Computation Modelling and then a PhD Mathematics at Exeter. His previous employment includes being a Postdoctoral researcher at the Engineering department at the University, investigating the use of Open FOAM to research the optimal positioning of a wind turbine.

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Peter achieved many objectives, such as received help with his CV, getting academic support and increasing his confidence to seek graduate level employment. Here is what he shared with us at the end of the scheme;

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Really enthusiastic and helpful emails from my mentor. He came across as a person who genuinely wanted to help.

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

It’s a really helpful scheme for anyone seeking career/academic guidance and support.