Case studies: Biomedical scientist: Victoria

Victoria works at Southend Hospital NHS trust. She studied microbiology at the University of Kent. 

I chose my degree course because, although it was broad based, providing a wide overview of the subject area, it also gave me the option to specialise and biotechnology and medical microbiology were my particular areas of interest.

I had a wide range of opportunities on my course to develop my practical laboratory skills, as well as communication, time management, leadership, problem-solving and team-working skills. The variety of the teaching modules, including laboratory modules, training sessions, presentations and the option of a final year lab-based project, made this possible. My final year project gave me the opportunity to develop my project management and laboratory skills and a taste of research and also made it essential to develop problem-solving skills.

As part of the course, we had sessions with outside lecturers from specific disciplines, for example biomedical scientists from routine hospital labs. This was one of the most useful aspects of the course and gave me a real insight into the world of work. I felt that gaining as much practical experience as possible was essential both to find out whether a career in science was for me and to help me put into practice the theoretical knowledge I had gained on my course. I spent one summer on a laboratory-based placement at my university - typing organisms from deep sea trenches using molecular techniques.

I believe my enthusiasm and practical experiences helped to make my initial job application successful and I was appointed at Colindale Health Protection Agency (enteric pathogens). I wanted to work in a hospital setting rather than a reference lab, so I went on to apply to Southend Hospital NHS trust for a position as a biomedical scientist. My application was successful and, with funding through my work, I was able to study and get a Postgraduate Certificate in Biomedical Science and an MSc in Medical Microbiology. I’m now a biomedical scientist, managing a small section of our virology/serology department.

I’d recommend that students should make the most of sessions at university and use their spare time and holidays to gain experience - it really does make a difference when applying for work. Employers want to know that you can do the job successfully and practical experience is a great way of showing this.

AGCAS

Sourced by Nikki Abbott, Durham University

Date: 

October 2009

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