Microbiology : Your skills

Microbiology students learn subject-specific skills which include:

• employing a range of investigative, recording and analysis techniques;
• preparing, interpreting and presenting data, using statistical programmes, qualitative and quantitative techniques and spreadsheets;
• conducting literature searches and critically evaluating information;
• undertaking practical laboratory investigations in a safe, responsible and ethical manner, using, for example, aseptic techniques, microscopy skills and microbial identification, and taking into account relevant health and safety regulations;
• applying scientific thought, rationales and approaches.

In addition to specialist subject knowledge, microbiology students also develop a number of transferable skills highly regarded by employers. These more general skills include:

• identifying, selecting, organising and communicating information;
• working on your own and as part of a small team, recognising the opinions and views of all members of the team;
• using adaptable and flexible analytical and problem-solving skills;
• communicating information appropriately to different audiences;
• evaluating your own performance and that of others, as well as carrying out time management and organising your workload;
• identifying your own targets and those of others and ensuring appropriate action is taken to reach the goals.

You may also be required to carry out an extended research project in the final year of your degree course, for which you may have to design, plan and carry out experiments within an appropriate timescale. This provides potential employers with valuable evidence of project management skills.

Consider the skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile. Take a look at job application advice for some useful tips.