CAREERS & EMPLOYABILITY GUIDEwww.ljmu.ac.uk/careers 1A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCES, INSIGHT & SUPPORT CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES Read student and graduate case studies from the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Internship opportunities will be advertised via Unitemps, LJMU’s own recruitment agency.
What does your current job role involve?
Please tell us more about the prescribing course which you have completed? This year I completed an Independent Prescribing Course with LJMU, mainly to ensure I keep my qualifications up-to-date with changes that are happening within the pharmacy profession. The 6-month course was flexible so I could continue with my full time job. I attended a number of study days at the university and after completion of directed study and a portfolio of learning undertaken with my designated medical practitioner, I took a written assessment and OSCE. I found the course very accessible and now I have applied to the GPHC for annotation to become an independent prescriber.
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 2 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
In my current role, I am a branch manager in one community pharmacy and I also work as a regional manager supporting ten Day Lewis Pharmacies in the North West Region. My role in the branch involves: working in the dispensary, counselling patients who attend the pharmacy and providing services such as medicine use reviews, new medicines services and minor ailments schemes. I also use PGDs to provide eligible patients with specific prescription only medication.
LJMU DISCOVERY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
EIMEAR HENEGHAN GRADUATED WITH AN MPHARM DEGREE AND NOW WORKS FOR DAY LEWIS PHARMACY, A LARGE INDEPENDENT PHARMACY CHAIN, AS A REGIONAL PHARMACIST MANAGER GRADUATE CASE STUDY
www.ljmu.ac.uk/LJMUinternships
Please tell us more about your pre-registration year and your career so far: I competed my pre-registration year with Boots Pharmacy. I attended regular training events with Boots and enjoyed working in a very busy pharmacy in Liverpool. I thoroughly enjoyed my pre-registration year and the environment I worked in provided me with a vast amount of experience. After completing my pre-registration exam I worked with Boots and then left to work as a locum pharmacist. I really enjoyed this role, as it gave me lots of flexibility and allowed me to enjoy earning an income for the first time. I again gained a lot of experience, working in a variety of pharmacies e.g. late night and out of hours, as well as local and city centre pharmacies and supermarkets. I also had the opportunity to work for a number of different companies. It gave me an idea of what type of company I would like to work for in the future. After a time working as a locum, I became a regular locum for a small chain independent. I worked a lot managing their pharmacies despite not having a contract with them and often helped out in their head office. Eventually Day Lewis purchased this small chain and offered me the job as branch manager where I have since remained.
In my regional manager role, I visit other pharmacies in the area to support and advise the pharmacist in the running of their branches. This is often to support the provision of services or to ensure the standards of each pharmacy are maintained in the event of a GPhC inspection. I also regularly carry out audits on the systems within each branch.
Three things which you like about your job: I really enjoy the relationships that we build with our patients in the pharmacy. It is great to be a part of the community and patients trust our advice and really value the service we provide for them. I enjoy working with a multidisciplinary team. We have a great relationship with our local GP surgery. The administration team, the GPs, the nurses and the pharmacists there are really great at communicating with us and it’s great to have such a variation of knowledge and experience within the Iteam.really like the variety you get in pharmacy. Each day can be very different. I really enjoy the new services we can now provide and our expertise is widening every day. I feel our clinical knowledge is being utilised and developed a lot more and this definitely gives me more job satisfaction.
PHARMACY
A fixed number of 20-day funded internships are available to level 5 and 6 students. In a range of disciplines, the internships will be with local employers, working on graduate-level projects.
Pharmacy is constantly evolving and as a result it is a very exciting field to work in! What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Say yes to every opportunity because that is how you will gain experience. I did some summer placements in my final two years of university. They were well worth it as they give you some real-life experience of what it’s like to work in pharmacy before your pre-registration year.
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What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? Due to the nature of the MPharm undergraduate course, there was a large area which underpinned my knowledge, to support the selection process. The use of different teaching mediums exposed me to how businesses operate, rather than focussing on a traditional lecture model. I believe that small group work with presentations to both small and large audiences, helped me to build confidence and communication skills which I use on a daily basis. Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?
Always align your skills with the needs of the company to which you are applying to. Make sure that you sell why you are different to other people from a similar background or degree course. Although a degree will help to ensure you have the necessary knowledge, the other skills which you learn will help you apply that knowledge in a way that makes you an attractive employee to a business.
Three things you like about your job: ❙ I have a great relationship with my pre-registration tutors and manager. ❙ I encounter different experiences and situations.
❙ I enjoy working with and helping patients directly.
Three things you like about your job:
university years which led me to apply for a pre-registration position with the company. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Work experience is very important! I would advise students to obtain a part-time job or a summer placement at a pharmacy whilst at university. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? I would try to make the most of the university experience. I would also ask for help sooner and search for answers if I don’t understand something rather than leave it for later. What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 3CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES CAREERS & EMPLOYABILITY GUIDEwww.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
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I attended support sessions on CV writing and interview techniques run by Laura Aldridge which helped me to produce a CV to a high standard and the improvement with my CV helped me feel more confident with application forms. The interview technique training helped in terms of the best way to answer the most difficult questions. I would definitely recommend these sessions to current undergraduates as they can really boost your employability and confidence.
CRAIG WHITELOCK-WAINWRIGHT GRADUATED WITH AN MPHARM DEGREE AND NOW WORKS AS AN INSPECTOR FOR THE GENERAL PHARMACEUTICAL COUNCIL (GPhC) GRADUATE CASE STUDY CASE STUDY “ OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones? I took advantage of an interview practice session and a CV review. I received support both during university and after graduation.
What does your job role involve (e.g. main duties) I perform duties such as dispensing, BP monitoring, demonstrating inhaler techniques, CD register monitoring and ordering specials.
What does your job involve (e.g. main duties)? My duties fall into two categories: systems regulation and professional regulation. System regulation involves the inspection of pharmacy premises, which can vary from high street retail pharmacies, to hospitals, to high-volume dispensing hubs. Professional regulation involves the investigation of concerns which we receive about registered pharmacy professionals.
What did the application and selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? My application was via a CV and covering letter which I prepared by relating my experiences to the GPhC’s business plan, and other information published on their website. The selection process was a panel interview followed by a written exercise of a mock inspection.
I carried out summer placements at PCT Healthcare throughout my FAREEHA NIAZI GRADUATED FROM LJMU WITH AN MPHARM DEGREE AND IS NOW WORKING AS A PHARMACIST AT PCT HEALTHCARE
The various workshops, law lectures and dispensing activities were very useful in preparing me for the pre-registration year. A graduate says ...
GRADUATE
❙ The autonomy. ❙ The flexibility.
ANDREW MEREDITH, PHARMACY GRADUATE
❙ The variation in the type of work which I do.
Tell us more about your pre-registration year: My pre-registration year was very busy as I had a full-time job and finding the balance between work and revision is important.
What relevant work experience activities did you use during the selection process?
Three things you like about your job: The diversity of regulatory affairs The numerous challenges with obtaining a licence The interaction with the various other aspects of a pharmaceutical company (eg the safety, marketing and medical departments etc).
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What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? My final year module called “industrial pharmacy” was particularly useful as I was introduced to the various aspects of the pharmaceutical industry. A lecturer invited guest speakers from various aspects of the pharmaceutical industry to talk about topics such as regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, clinical trials, quality assurance, research and development etc.
Unitemps at Liverpool John Moores University is our very own on-campus recruitment agency, based in the Student Life Building. The Unitemps team provide recruitment services to both departments within the University and external clients, who are keen to source talented staff from our pool of students, from a vast spectrum of degree specialisations and backgrounds. We offer great rates of pay, a huge range of roles, holiday pay accrued for each hour worked, jobs on and off campus, flexible work, and the chance to develop new and existing skills for your CV. So what are you waiting for, register today and start looking for that perfect opportunity to fit around your studies! HERE TO REGISTER & Alternatively, visit www.unitemps.com, email us at unitemps@ljmu.ac.uk or telephone 8888
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Submitting applications to the applicable health authorities such as European Medicines Agency (EMA), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (UK Health Authority), to obtain licences for the company’s products and to maintain those licences over the product lifecycle.
PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE AND MCHEM/ BSC APPLIED CHEMISTRY
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Any other advice you would give to students about their employability? I would advise students to be enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the job which you wish to pursue in the pharmaceutical industry. Prior experience is also advantageous. If you display a good attitude and a sound knowledge of your future career path, this will also endear you to future employers. If you wish to follow my career path, then there are a lot of resources out there which can help you to do further research.
LJMU recruitment agency
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What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Research the area you want to get into and be aware of the potential career paths within it. Be clear to yourself on what you want to achieve in your career and don’t be afraid to pursue those dreams.
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Unitemps
This module was invaluable as at this point of time in my degree I was unsure what I wanted to pursue in my future career, and whether to go onto further study or a job in the pharmaceutical industry. I was not overtly keen on going on to a formulations scientist role and being alerted to different aspects of the pharmaceutical industry really broadened my horizons.
Providing regulatory input and expertise to local and global project teams to ensure that the company’s products get licenced from EMA and MHRA.
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Please refer to the www.topra.org.uk for further information. TOPRA is the professional membership organisation for individuals engaged in regulatory affairs for human or veterinary medicines.
RICKY RADIA IS AN APPLIED CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS A REGULATORY AFFAIRS SENIOR MANAGER AT OTSUKA OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures
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What does your job/graduate scheme involve (e.g. main duties)?
Global and regional responsibility for assigned medicines which the company develops and plans to sell.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY SCHOOL
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? Not particularly, it was not my intention in my first year to get into regulatory affairs although I learnt about it in my final year. However, when I graduated regulatory affairs was not that prominent.
Obtaining a licence for the medicines which I am responsible for from the European, International and National health authorities, so that the company can sell these medicines and patients can benefit from them.
After graduation I decided to go for a career in regulatory affairs and I secured my first job with AstraZeneca. Ironically the guest lecture delivered on regulatory affairs was delivered by the head of regulatory at AstraZeneca at the time, which I think really persuaded me to apply to AstraZeneca.
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My job entails the following tasks:
I am the type of person who likes a challenge. Following various conversations with past colleagues (who completed postgraduate research) and seeing the opportunities that a PhD has provided them with, there was no doubt in my mind that this was the route that I wanted to take. As I have played competitive sports for many years, I have always enjoyed being part of a team. However, following my year in industry I found a real passion for individual research. During my industrial placements I was able to direct three individual research projects along with my industrial supervisor, giving me a real feeling of accomplishment. Postgraduate research allows me to combine the two. I will work within a research group giving me the opportunity to interact with other colleagues and collaborate on certain projects, yet I will also be able to focus on my own project making the whole situation really exciting.
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones?
What relevant work experience or volunteering did you use during the selection process?
I personally wouldn’t do anything differently as I feel that I am in a good position after completing the course but I would recommend that undergraduates try to gain as much experience as possible during their time at university. It is very difficult to obtain a placement but there are opportunities available for those students who work hard enough to find them. I would also recommend that current students utilise all of the services available, whether that be the library support to help with report writing and maths, or the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team to help with CVs and covering letters. What are you your plans after finishing your PhD?
PHD CASE STUDY ANDREW CASHMORE GRADUATED IN 2018 WITH AN APPLIED CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE DEGREE AND IS NOW COMPLETING A PHD AT STRATHCLYDE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures
What does your current role involve?
I work with pharmaceutical companies to orchestrate clinical trials. I am involved in packaging design, document preparation as well as global distribution.
What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare?
GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AT CATALENT PHARMA SOLUTIONS AS A PROJECT MANAGER OF CLINICAL TRIALS
I was a student representative for two years of my course and used this as valuable leadership training. It is very important to have transferrable skills such as taking meeting minutes and representing a group. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? I would say get involved in a number of activities, as it all counts on your CV to portray the person you are. Social skills can sell just as well as technical ones to an employer. Take on board all of the technical skills which you are using in the laboratories. The experience of dealing with laboratory equipment and computer software on a weekly basis can give you a competitive edge. What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? My final-year project helped a lot in my interviews as it was a large task that took discipline and organisation skills. The presentation at the end of it all also gave me a good insight into delivering a professional presentation on a given topic. A lot of my lectures were very work-orientated.
The application process involved completing a cover letter to explain why I thought that I was the right candidate for the PhD and then an online application. I applied to several different PhDs and generally the process was that I would send an email to the supervisor with my CV and cover letter, along with some information about myself prior to completing the online application. Once my qualifications and experience were deemed suitable I would have one or two interviews before being offered the position.
HOLLY CHRISHOP IS AN APPLIED CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
The application process started with an online application, which was a questionnaire about past experiences. This was then followed by a telephone interview, which involved questions about leadership skills and my knowledge of the company. I was successful through this round and invited to a face-to-face interview, where I was asked to prepare a tenminute presentation on project management skills.
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What did the application process involve for the PhD?
I am currently pursuing a career in research, but I have many interests in different roles within the pharmaceutical industry. One of my biggest aims is to work internationally and I believe that the route that I am taking will provide me with the best shot of completing that goal.
Why did you decide to apply for your PhD study?
Please tell us about what your PhD involves? The title of my PhD research topic is; ‘’Understanding, measurement and scale-up of secondary nucleation” and I will study for my PhD at The University of Strathclyde.
At the start of the academic year, prior to applying for PhD positions I wanted to get my CV completely up to date and set out in the correct format. Therefore, I booked a careers meeting and went through what I wanted to include with the adviser. I received a huge amount of valuable information and support from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team. We then also spoke about the correct formatting for a cover letter.
Would you do anything differently in terms of career planning if you were a first-year undergraduate student again?
Tell us about the industrial placements which you completed between levels 5 and 6 and how they have benefitted you? During my time at university I utilised every connection I had to try to gain as much work experience as possible. During the summer of my first year I completed a 3 month industrial placement at Bosch Manesty. Then, following completion of my second year I spent a year working in industry; 6 months in Germany working for BASF and 7 months working for BristolMyers Squibb. This gave me a valuable insight into how industrial companies work and what they expect from employees. This also gave me the motivation to undertake postgraduate research as I was able to communicate with people and see the benefits and opportunities first hand. As mentioned previously, I completed three individual research projects and was required to give oral presentations and submit full written reports. One of my highlights was completing a poster presentation on my work at an internationally renowned conference following my time at Bristol-Myers Squibb. The knowledge and confidence that I developed during my time in industry was invaluable to my final year at university. I am a student member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the UK and Ireland Controlled Release Society. This membership of professional associations keeps me up to date with what is going on in the industry and the hot topics at the moment.
❙ Gaining experience within the NHS. What did the application/selection process involve for your job role and how did you prepare for each stage? I applied for this role on the NHS jobs website. The application form included a supporting material section which required me to write an essay on how I met the role requirements and why I was suitable for the job. After this, I was invited for an interview which included a panel interview followed by a basic skills test. To prepare for each stage, I researched the NHS foundation Trust in detail, the role I was applying to as well as booking appointments and mock interviews in the Careers Zone. What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team when you were at university? Whenever I started applying for graduate jobs, I booked appointments in the Careers Zone to help me write the supporting material essay for the NHS applications. By doing this, I was able to gain an understanding of exactly what employers expected on application forms. I also attended a mock interview session which helped me prepare for NHS value-based interview questions. What relevant work experience did you use during the selection process?
Three things you will enjoy about your job:
NIAMH LONGWILL IS A 2018 BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES GRADUATE WHO HAS JUST SECURED A JOB AS A HISTOPATHOLOGY MEDICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANT FOR THE ROYAL DERBY NHS TEACHING HOSPITALS FOUNDATION TRUST GRADUATE CASE STUDY
Graduate Feedback
Start looking for laboratory experience as soon as you can as it really makes you more appealing to employers. Decide which discipline you wish to work in and then email pathology departments of hospitals asking if they are willing to take on a student looking for some experience. Additionally, hospitals will advertise for bank laboratory staff, which allows you to gain paid experience whilst allowing you to work around your lectures and assignments.
What will your new job involve?
A medical laboratory assistant working in a histopathology department within the NHS is responsible for the collection, validation and processing of a patient’s samples, such as skin biopsies or whole organs. They are responsible for ensuring that samples reach the correct laboratory station and are processed appropriately for their requested tests. Other duties include disposal of clinical waste and assisting biomedical scientists and pathologists with large sample dissection.
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year again? As I wish to complete my HCPC registration portfolio and work as a qualified biomedical scientist within the NHS, I would have gone down the applied biomedical science route of my degree. This involves you undertaking work experience during your studies and allows you to complete the portfolio by the time you graduate. Which aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? My final year involved a lot of group work assignments which really helped me develop teamworking, organisational and interpersonal skills when dealing with different work ethics of the students within the allocated groups. This aspect of my degree was very helpful as it allowed me to meet the essential requirements employers wanted for the roles I was applying for.
BIOMEDICAL
I had undertaken three unpaid laboratory experiences within the NHS and the private sector prior to applying for graduate level jobs. This experience was useful when filling out the application forms as it allowed me to meet all the essential and desirable criteria. Additionally, during the interview process, this experience allowed me to stand out as I had first-hand knowledge of the job I was applying for.
Do you have any advice for biomedical science students who wish to find paid laboratory work (or other laboratory work experience) within the NHS?
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LYDIA WATTERS, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE SCIENCE AND BIOCHEMISTRY “ “ SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures
❙ Working within a discipline I have a genuine interest in. ❙ Knowing that the work you are doing is making a huge difference to patient lives.
My advice to current students would be to gain any work experience possible. Use personal contacts to gain experience, but if you don’t have any, as I didn’t, be persistent and email as many companies as it takes before you get the experience you need. Don’t just email one or two places, email 20 or 30! You only need to draft one email and then target it to the individual firm. I would also advise planning work experience in advance; summer holidays are the ideal time to gain experience, so you are not trying to juggle it with your university work! Also, take any opportunity you can to use the support provided by the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team as they know exactly what to do to help you secure a job or a place on a Masters course.
What does your current role involve?
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Working in sales can be very financially rewarding, but there can also be some pressure at times. For example, I must meet targets for my product group that include a certain amount of profit, a certain amount of calls, meetings and visits.
I am currently working for a company that sells advance materials into the scientific sector. My role is to seek out new customers, build customer relationships, request quotes from suppliers and create and send quotes to the customer. I am currently working in the office two to three times a week and the remaining days at home but hopefully soon we can go back out on the road to visit customers and suppliers.
What relevant work experience or skills did you discuss during the application and selection process? During the application and interview process, I ensured I included all of the relevant experience I had gained through my three-year BSc degree, my MSc degree, placement at Allergan and year in industry as a laboratory and clinical trials technician. When writing my CV, I listed all the key practical skills I had gained and developed throughout this time and I realised that this mounted to quite a lot so I felt it was important to include this in my CV as it would be the first impression the employer would form of me. My experience outside education, both in a wet chemistry lab and also in the healthcare sector as a clinical trials technician, gave me a range of skills from both a more technical and a patient-facing setting. I feel that these contrasting roles gave me well-rounded experience that my employer found desirable. Having the opportunity to complete an industrial lab placement at Allergan was definitely a bonus in securing my current job. My current employer was particularly impressed by the fact that the placements required interviews and that I had been successful to secure my place with them. Although I was assigned a mentor in Allergan, the independent work I carried out there was also desirable to my current employer as it proved that even within a wellestablished company, I was able to integrate and achieve my goals. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? If I were to do it all again, I would try to gain as much experience as possible throughout my undergraduate degree rather than after I graduated. I am aware that trying to gain experience without prior experience is difficult, but be bold! Don’t be afraid to contact companies directly to ask if they have any volunteering opportunities or even a few days’ shadowing in a laboratory, as anything you can add to your CV is beneficial. Having a broad range of experiences will allow you to plan better which career you would like to pursue, and this could be through part-time employment or volunteering. ROLINSON GRADUATED WITH A BIOCHEMISTRY DEGREE IN 2018 AND NOW WORKS AS A SALES EXECUTIVE FOR PI-KEM LTD
There are a lot of resources out there, especially at the university, so try and take full advantage of these. Even if the workshops are not specific to your career path, there is usually a lot of useful information to learn about. Your lecturers are also a good place to start if you are not sure what path you want to take, as a lot of your lecturers will have been in similar positions.
Make sure you tailor your CV to each job application. You do not have to write a whole new CV but add a few points that reflect what they have asked for in their job specification. It is also important to prepare for interviews – it not only gives you sufficient understanding about the company, but it will also give you a sense of confidence.
As a biological product development scientist at Causeway Sensors, I am involved in the process of bringing our product from proof of concept through to biological applications. My tasks in this role vary from day to day and goals can change from week to week due to the early research stage that the company is in. This makes for an exciting and ever-changing role that requires me to be able to adapt and gives me the opportunity to explore many different avenues. As we are a spin out from Queen’s University and are based on site, with many collaborations in progress, I can further develop a range of existing skills as well as learn new ones, which is ideal for my professional development.
How did you secure your current role? When I left university, I was still very uncertain about what I wanted to do but wanted something close to my degree, so I began applying for everything relevant. I secured a role as a formulation lab technician where I created and tested the formulation of new products. I quickly decided that being in a lab wasn’t for me and spoke to my boss about moving into another sector. I have always considered working in sales, so they moved me to their sales team. This is what helped me secure my current role - although the items involved are completely different, the skills I had were easily transferrable to the new position.
What tips would you give current students to improve their employability?
Coming into the world of work can be very daunting, but everyone has started somewhere at some point. There will be a lot of rejections along the way, which can be very demotivating, but do not give up! Something will come up along the way, even if it is a slightly different route to what you had originally planned.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 7CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
MEGAN HOPWOOD GRADUATED WITH A BSC (HONS) BIOMEDICAL SCIENCEAND AND AN MSC IN INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY FROM LJMU. SHE NOW WORKS AT CAUSEWAY SENSORS IN BELFAST AS A BIOLOGICAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SCIENTIST
What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? Interested candidates were required to send a CV. For my interview, I was asked to prepare a presentation on how my skills and experience would fit into a laboratory environment and in particular with the company. In preparation for my interview I researched the company extensively, and since it is a primarily physics-based company, I also familiarised myself with the core technology they use. For my presentation, I explained how my particular skills and experience gained from employment and university could benefit the specific needs of the company.
What help and support did you have from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team while you studied at LJMU?
What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team while studying at LJMU? I was recommended to use the services available in the Careers Zone by a peer while studying towards my Masters in Industrial Biotechnology and decided to utilise their expertise before applying for my 12-week placement as part of the MSc course. Although my initial CV included all my relevant education and work experience information, I was pleasantly surprised at the vast improvements I was able to make following my meeting with Anja, one of the employability advisers. I also sought help from her with my covering letter to ensure I was able to express my full range of skills to the employer, and close to the completion of my MSc I was also given extensive help with job applications. This allowed me to secure interviews, both for placement and employment opportunities. I was also given lots of useful information on how to prepare for interviews and how to answer potential questions, which helped me secure a placement with Allergan as part of my MSc course.
I attended a careers workshop which was extremely beneficial. They introduced me to LinkedIn, which has helped me stay in contact with people from past roles but also prospective roles. They also booked us 1-2-1 sessions with the careers advisor where I discussed potential career pathways and constructed a more suitable CV to access these areas.
What does your role involve on a day-to-day basis?
PHD CASE STUDY SHRULE
What did the application/selection process involve, and what support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team to help you prepare for each stage? I found out about PAREXEL through the LJMU Careers website and saw the clinical research assistant position advertised. The Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team was a big help during my application process. Researching the company and the role was essential to allow me to tailor my CV and cover letter to the role. Once I had submitted my application, this was followed up by a telephone interview, and then the final face-to-face interview. Before submitting my CV and cover letter, I made an appointment with one of the Employability Advisers from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team to review these documents and provide some suggestions for amendments. When it came to the phone and face-to-face interview, I looked up common interview questions and also asked the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team for tips on how to stay calm during interviews.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? It is important to gain as much experience as you can in a variety of settings in order to develop personal qualities and gain further ‘life experience’. Lancashire Constabulary have a huge focus on personal values, which are included in every application process, so it is a good idea to really concentrate on gaining varied experience in order to have a choice of example scenarios to demonstrate each characteristic. I took on many work experience placements and voluntary roles to expand on my own skills and knowledge, such as a weekly position at my local hospice, and a short term placement at a veterinary post mortem laboratory. I also contacted the CSI department directly and organised a few days shadowing a current CSI to see what the role involved, and to show an interest in the organisation.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
What advice would you give to students to improve their employability? Make the most of the opportunities provided at LJMU especially utilising the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team, as this allows you to enhance your CV and access personalised advice and guidance on what you can do to proceed with your interest in the scientific field. Raising your profile is another way to improving your employability. For example, having a LinkedIn account where you can maintain and establish a professional network. Also, through this, it will allow you to stay informed about current developments within the scientific field. Attending workshops or employer events can give you an insight into the requirements for different roles and employers’ expectations. Gaining more experience within the scientific field will be a benefit, as you can then use skills and knowledge developed from these to demonstrate your suitability for the roles you have applied for during future interviews.
2018, BERNADETTE IGLESIAS JOINED PAREXEL AS A CLINICAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT.
I had studied a few relevant modules (toxicology) which developed my knowledge of the disposition of a pharmaceutical compound in the human body. This was relevant because during my interview, I had to perform a mini test which included the background of how medication works in the body. There are also relevant skills you can obtain from completing your final year project such as time management; being able to balance your dissertation alongside other modules and learning to prioritise work depending on their deadlines, which involves careful planning. Other benefits from completing a dissertation are learning to pay attention to detail and flexibility, for example when adapting to the writing direction or being able to fit around the needs of the projects, which I have found beneficial in this role. It can also allow you to obtain knowledge of a specialised area and help with your career decision-making.
What does your role involve? As a crime scene investigator (CSI) I work alongside police officers and detectives to recover potential forensic evidence which can be presented in court to prove if a suspected offender is innocent or guilty. I attend a variety of incidents from common burglaries to the occasional serious murder case; however it is not quite the lifestyle as seen on the TV! Many of the scenes I attend can be quite distressing, so a positive mentality and strong stomach are vital. The main focus of my role is to search the area for material which could prove a suspect has been present at the scene or handled a particular item. I most commonly search for fingerprints, footwear marks and DNA - usually in the form of blood or saliva. A lot of the evidence we recover is invisible to the naked eye and requires extensive work to make it visible so that it can be photographed and retained for a court exhibit. For example, I use a specific aluminium powder to enhance ridge details of fingerprints, which works by binding to the amino acids in sweat to make them visible. The fingerprints can then be lifted off the surface using an adhesive tape, and then preserved on a plastic slide for viewing. The fingerprints can then be compared to a nationwide database to search for an identity match. What did the application process involve? Within a week of graduating I secured a job within Lancashire Constabulary as a public enquiry assistant, which involved working on the front desk at a local police station. The application process for this role was a simple online application form followed by an interview. Once employed by the constabulary, I could then apply for any internal vacancies that were advertised, and I was soon transferred to a CSI role. The application process for this was exactly the same, in the form of another online application form and an interview with two senior members of staff. The online application form consists of around five questions, usually asking for examples of when you have demonstrated a range of personal qualities such as teamwork, professionalism and reliability. The interviews were very informal and friendly and I was made to feel at ease straight away. If you are successful and given a conditional offer, you then enter the vetting stage where background checks are carried out before a final offer of employment is issued.
AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE BSC (HONS) BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE PROGRAMME IN
What relevant experience and skills did you use during the selection process?
BIOCHEMISTRY GRADUATE NAOMI FISHER JOINED LANCASHIRE CONSTABULARY AND PROGRESSED INTO A POSITION AS A CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR.
My biochemistry degree definitely gave me an advantage when applying for the CSI role, as it showed I had all the required knowledge combined with desirable skills such as laboratory work. Although many would choose a forensic science degree in order to become a CSI, the biochemistry course still contained many relevant aspects which are applicable to the role.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 8 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
I attended numerous career visit days where employers from a range of companies came and spoke to us about current roles. I found all careers events to be worthwhile, even if only to discount certain jobs that I definitely didn’t want to do! The Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team were all very helpful and knowledgeable about a variety of roles available, and offered great advice throughout the course. What aspects of your degree were useful in the selection process?
What does your role involve? I assist in Phase 1 studies across all therapeutic areas in accordance with ICH Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). In this role, I work with a variety of people: trial participants, external quality bodies, doctors, nurses and pharmacists. I am also responsible for preparing clinical equipment for areas of study and providing support to the clinical operations team. With this role, I am able to develop my leadership and management skills and ability to work in a developing team to ensure that both business and personal goals and are met and exceeded.
What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team?
Why did you decide to study medicine in Bulgaria and choose this career path? My reasons for studying here were because the course content was quite promising and because the tuition fees were much less than in the UK. Also, there is a vast amount of clinical work involved in the course which means you are in contact with patients a lot more, which aids your understanding a lot more.
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE GRADUATE NOSHIN RAHMAN IS CURRENTLY STUDYING ON A GRADUATE DENTISTRY COURSE AT UCLAN
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE GRADUATE NAZMEEN BIBI AFZAL IS CURRENTLY
What did the application and selection process involve for this course and how did you prepare for each stage? I applied to study medicine through an agency who took care of my application process. I was required to submit my academic certificates, medical certificate etc. after which I sat the university entrance test. No interview was involved in the process. I prepared for the entrance test by strengthening my knowledge in the three sciences. What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team? Whilst I was at LJMU I gained a lot of support from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team in terms of what skills I had, my strengths and weakness and how I could improve them. Moreover, I attended the lectures on studying medicine after graduating, delivered by Laura Aldridge.
STUDYING ON A POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE (MD) COURSE AT TRAKIA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY IN BULGARIA
The medical course involves two years of theory, which includes the three sciences as well as anatomy and medical ethics. From third year clinical work begins so we will be in hospitals more and applying our knowledge to patients, to provide a diagnosis. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? If I was a first-year student again I would probably organise my time accordingly, because in first semester I did feel like I was working under pressure to be ready for exams. Otherwise I have had a lovely experience and I am looking forward to the next four years of studies here. What are your plans after finishing your medicine course? My plans for after finishing my medical course are to start my training, which hopefully will be in the United Kingdom. I aspire to become a neurosurgeon so I will have to apply for the UK neurosurgical speciality training programme which consists of eight training years.
Why did you decide to apply for graduate entry dentistry? I have been interested in studying dentistry for a long time. For me it is a career that encompasses so many things that I am passionate about: caring for others, applying my creative ability, and most importantly my passion in eradicating oral health inequalities and improving oral health education. I was determined to apply again as I was unsuccessful the first time around during my A-levels. Following my initial rejection, I was determined to gain more experience during my biomedical science degree to strengthen my application and enhance my skills. What did the application process involve? Entry requirements depend on the university you are applying to and it’s important to do your research on this. Graduate-entry dentistry at Aberdeen, King’s and Sheffield required me to sit the UKCAT in the summer whereas at UCLAN this was not a requirement. I sat my UKCAT in July whilst working on my personal statement and gaining as much relevant experience as possible. After completing my personal statement, I submitted my UCAS application before the October 15th deadline. In terms of work experience, I began gaining as much as possible in the two years prior to applying to ensure I had a competitive application. I received my first interview from Aberdeen in December, from UCLAN in January and Sheffield in March. Prior to my interview at UCLAN I was also invited to sit the entrance exam. What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team? The Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team has been incredibly beneficial throughout the application process. I initially sought advice on my personal statement and I was given invaluable feedback on how to improve the structure and flow. After receiving my initial interview, I called the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team to seek advice on how best to prepare for it. The universities I applied to predominantly used a multiple mini interview (MMI) format to assess candidates and the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team provided me with more information on how to prepare for this style of interview. I also attended two mock interviews with the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team and the experience was vital in preparing and familiarising me with MMI. Following my mock interviews, the feedback I received allowed me to identify and discuss my strengths and weaknesses with the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team and how best to improve them. How did you benefit from previous work experience & career research? My previous work experience and career research was essential in both my UCAS application and during interviews. Whilst writing my personal statement, reflecting on a range of different experiences demonstrated my passion and enthusiasm for the subject. A wide range of experience makes for a competitive application as it shows your motivation to gain a thorough understanding of the career. My work experience and career research was also an excellent talking point during my interviews as I was able to evidence my answers with my own experiences. Having gained experiences in general dental practices, hospital dentistry, orthodontics, maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry I was able to reflect on a wide variety of settings and show that I had gained a wellrounded insight into dentistry. What advice would you give first year students? I definitely wish I had gone to the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team earlier as I only sought personal statement advice a few weeks before the UCAS deadline. Also, I wish I had taken advantage of the wide range of societies offered at LJMU. The best advice I can give for first year students is to be prepared. Don’t wait until the summer before you apply to gain experience. First year is the best time to gain experience and be proactive about it. I’ve found that emailing practices and hospitals isn’t always the best way to get experience. Show your motivation and enthusiasm by going to practices and hospitals in person or call them up to find out more about their work placement opportunities. Gain some voluntary work experience as this is excellent to reflect on in your personal statement and interviews. Finally, do your research and be thorough about it. Find out exactly what each university is looking for in prospective students and ensure you are prepared to meet their entry requirements.
If you are intending to study medicine abroad, and you wish to work in the UK after qualifying, then please make sure that any medicine course which you are intending to study abroad is recognised by the General Medicine Council (GMC). You can check this by going to the General Medical Council’s website: http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/registration_applications/evidence_of_qualifications.asp
How have you benefitted from previous work experience? Previous work experience made me more aware of the duties of a doctor. This enabled me to be sure that I was heading in the right direction to study something I would enjoy. What does your medicine course involve?
GRADUATE CASE STUDY GRADUATE CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 9CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
The continuous learning and training, the leadership role and the challenging work environment, are all aspects of the job that I really am passionate about.
I had my interview invitation in November and my interview was booked for February. The interview day started at 10 am and ended at 3pm. In the morning we were offered breakfast followed by a 2 hour session explaining what the medical degree entails and the interview process. We also practised ethical questions and PBL (problem based learning) style teaching. It was a very good day and it relaxed my nerves. We were also offered lunch and a tour of the medical campus. The interview process was in ‘multiple mini interview’ format.
There were 7 stations. Each station lasted 3 minutes and then I was allocated 3 minutes to read the next questions. It was a very quick process. The questions were all ethical style apart from one question was; ‘why do you want to be a doctor?’. What help and support did you access in the Careers Zone from members of the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team? The support which I accessed via the Careers Zone was excellent. When I enquired about help for medicine interview preparation I was booked in for an appointment with Laura Aldridge (careers adviser). She was a great help. We arranged several practice interview sessions. The first one was untimed, the questions were based around the role of the doctor and demonstration of qualities and skills that I possess that are relevant to the role of a doctor. There were also reflective questions about ethical issues. The last session was timed to make sure I didn’t go over the 3 minutes allocated to answer the question (to duplicate the timings which would be used by interviewers for the actual multiple mini interviews).
I have always been inquisitive about science. I am fascinated by how our human body works. I want to learn about its complexity and at the same time be able to use this knowledge to help people maintain, improve their health and prevent illness. I looked at various health care professionals’ careers pathway and I decided that the role of the doctor inspired me more and fits with my personality.
The questions I practiced with Laura were excellent because they covered everything I was asked at interview. I was also given plenty of questions to practise at home and further website links to where I could find useful information. I had lots of information and I felt very prepared. I still can’t believe I managed to gain a place at medical school and it is a dream come true!
The application process was done through UCAS. It is straight forward: it involves completing an online form with personal details, university choices, a personal statement and reference. You won’t be able to submit the application until UCAS has received your reference. I would advise all prospective applicants to request the reference as soon as possible to avoid any problem with UCAS
LINE DJEOKENG COMPLETED A BSC IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE FOLLOWED BY AN MSC IN INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND IS NOW STUDYING A BACHELOR OF MEDICINE BACHELOR OF SURGERY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
What kind of work experience or employment had you done before getting onto this course? How did this experience help you get onto this course? I worked as a health care assistant alongside NHS professionals for 2 years prior to applying. It was a great experience as it gave me an insight into life in the NHS. I have matured as a person and became even more passionate about science and helping others. This job was a great opportunity to observe not only doctors but also other health care professionals such as nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians and how they work together as an interdisciplinary team. By working in a hospital I met so many patients from other countries around the world and it is a great opportunity to learn about different cultures and to respect their beliefs. I learned about responsibility toward patients, working with a person-centred approach. This entails involving the patient in decision making regarding their health and making the patient part of the team. My communication skills improved greatly both with patients and relatives. This experience enhanced my confidence and I now feel definitely ready to train to become a doctor. What does your medicine course involve? Medicine at Exeter is PBL (problem based learning) based. We are divided into groups of 8 and these groups change throughout the year to get us used to the fact that we will be working in different teams once qualified. Every two weeks there are clinical skills sessions. So far, we have learned basic life support, and procedures for examination of a pregnant abdomen and taking blood pressure. We have also had an assessment on these skills already. Life science is every two weeks and it involves anatomy and physiology sessions with anatomical models. During PBL we study a clinical case every two weeks. We follow the life cycle, we start from conception, infancy, and adolescence to adulthood. We also have a clinical placement of two hours every two weeks at various places such as in a GP setting, hospital ward, chiropractors, maternity department and in schools etc.
We are assessed through AMK (applied medical knowledge) throughout the year and also have SSU (special study units) where we write a 2000 word essay on a topic of choice. What are your plans after finishing your medicine course? It is early days to say which field of medicine I would like to specialise in, but at the moment I am fascinated by neurology and trauma.
Please note that usually applicants who have already completed a degree would apply to the four year graduate medicine course, but in this case Line took a place on the five year course at the University of Exeter.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY: STUDYING MEDICINE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 10 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
Oncedeadlines.the application is submitted applicants receive an acknowledgment letter and email. Some universities require applicants to complete additional entrance tests such as BMAT, GAMSAT or UKCAT, and usually applicants must sit the tests the summer before they apply through UCAS. When test scores are released (UKCAT, GAMSAT, BMAT, etc.) universities apply a threshold and applicants receive an invitation to interview or rejection, depending on their score, and the quality of their personal statement and references.
What did the application and interview process involve for this course and how did you prepare for each stage?
Why did you decide to study medicine & train to become a doctor?
What did the interview process involve?
www.ljmu.ac.uk/postgraduate
What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones?
Several members of the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team were extremely helpful in proof-reading my completed application questions and helping me to cut them down to within the word count. They also enhanced my understanding of the online numeracy and literacy tests. I had a mock interview as well with Laura Aldridge (careers adviser). I was supported throughout the application and interview process and I couldn’t fault the staff. How do you think that your BSc degree helped you to secure this job? It has provided me with the required understanding and also developed my passion for the job role. Although there is only a small haematology content within my degree, the way this has been taught (and the passion from the lecturers) fed my ambition to learn more about this field outside of teaching hours. The underpinning science and laboratory testing, specifically that which I studied in the final year, was also relevant.
What relevant work experience did you draw upon during the selection process? I worked as a medical laboratory assistant (MLA) within the NHS for over a year during my studies at LJMU. Within this job, my knowledge of clinical tests and the functioning of the laboratory was further developed, in addition to the knowledge which I gained from lectures. I feel that this experience was a massive advantage to me. Further to this, I undertook voluntary experience within the haematology department at Aintree Hospital. This provided me with more specialist knowledge to give as evidence at interview.
The Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team were especially helpful in providing both the moral support and equipping me with further information surrounding the STP, throughout the application process.
Whether you are looking to specialise, change direction, enhance your earning potential or boost your employability, staying at LJMU for postgraduate study is a great investment in your future success, with increased earnings of up to 18% for postgraduates compared to graduates.
My job entails the analysing, interpretation and understanding of complex clinical data over a wide variety of clinical disciplines, including that of further haematological investigations. This will involve clinical decisions and direct patient involvement to make decisions which are vital to diagnoses, and therefore treatment. I perform these duties whilst also undertaking a part-time MSc in Clinical Science at MMU. My Masters Course will be in block placements throughout the three years, with heavy emphasis on research and development, which is later used within the workplace to investigate potential new clinical techniques and/or treatments. These modules are both required for completion of the Scientist Training Programme, and registration as a Health Care Professions Council registered clinical scientist.
The four interview stations (general science, specialist knowledge x2 and NHS values-based assessment) were a series of mini-interviews with ten minutes being spent at each station. These were intense and demanding, with questions being difficult to predict. There was little encouragement given by the interviewers, so confidence and an up-beat attitude is key.
❙ The opportunity to have direct patient contact and observe clinical outcomes.
GET A 20% DISCOUNT OFF YOUR LJMU POSTGRADUATE COURSE To discover more, call 0151 231 5090, or go to: SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 11CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
JOSIE GOODWIN GRADUATED IN 2018 FROM BSC BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE AND GAINED A PLACE ON THE SCIENTIST TRAINING PROGRAMME. SHE IS NOW WORKING AS A TRAINEE CLINICAL SCIENTIST, IN HAEMATOLOGY AND TRANSFUSION SCIENCE. GRADUATE CASE STUDY
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? I would advise current students to undertake as much relevant work experience as possible, namely voluntary experience within the NHS if possible. Also, I would recommend that students do further reading around their chosen scientific specialism, especially on recent technological advances.
❙ The ability to make a real difference to a number of patients’ lives - by performing important clinical decisions and the researching of future technological advances
What does your job within the Scientist Training Programme (STP) involve?
The actual interview process which I faced, was very similar to how it was described on this website.
What did the application process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? The application form involved four short answer questions of 250 words each. I had to explain my motivation to do the STP, my current knowledge of healthcare science and recent developments in the field, as well as my experience of leadership. This was followed by online logical and numerical tests, which were challenging. The Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team provided access to some similar example tests, which helped a lot as the tests require a very different way of thinking. I would say these tests were the most difficult of the application process. I did lots of practice tests beforehand. It is also important to have a high level of concentration whilst doing the actual tests. The final stage was the multiple mini interviews, which consisted of four interview stations. The interview process is as described on the National School of Healthcare Science website (www. nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/).
Three things you like about your job:
❙ The end-point that this training programme leads to (as a clinical scientist) and career progression from this.
To prepare for these interview stations it is important to have a sound knowledge of the NHS constitution and STP programme details, as well as a thorough understanding of the specialism being applied for. However, the general science station is notoriously difficult to prepare for. Statistics and general scientific news was a large focus in my interview.
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I drew upon the skills which I gained from university practical laboratory based experience and upon my academic knowledge. I also used some of the skills which I had gained from my part-time job as a sales representative. Furthermore, I was able to describe what I had gained from extra-curricular activities, such as my Duke of Edinburgh Award and my roles as a biochemistry course representative, whilst at university. I learnt how to adapt my skill set to the job role in question, and that the experience which I drew upon did not always have to be scientific based. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?
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During my second year, I received support from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team when I was going through the application process for a year in industry. At the Byrom Careers Zone, an employability adviser checked through my CV, and also gave me advice about its layout. I also attended a workshop about interview skills which gave me details about frequently asked interview questions. This helped me to prepare prior to my actual interview. What relevant work
I would advise current students to make the most of the opportunities provided to them during their second year whether that be the year in industry option or a summer internship. These opportunities really helped me to excel in the pharmaceutical industry and to target the field which I wished to enter. A key tip for final year students is to always make sure that they have a current and up to date CV available so that if they see a job role which is of interest to them, they are ready to apply right away. Most importantly I would advise students to be focussed and productive in their job search as nothing comes easily! What aspects of your degree have you most benefitted from? One of the things was the sandwich placement opportunity. I always knew I wanted to participate in this opportunity as it would help me to decide whether I would need to stay on for further postgraduate study or whether I was prepared to go straight into a job within the field I had initially chose to study. I also found site visits extremely useful as this enabled me to visualise which type of environment I would be working in and if I would be comfortable in it. In addition, I found discussions with my lecturers about optional modules which were available in the second and third year, extremely useful. This helped me to select options which I knew were of interest to me and which I would excel in and where I could also play to my learning styles and academic strengths.
duringUnionskills/volunteering/Studentexperience/activitiesdidyouusetheselectionprocess?
What did the application/selection process involve for your job and how did you prepare for each stage? The application process required me to submit a cover letter and CV to the company and I was then invited to interview. I had an hour interview which included general and technical questions and a written assessment. This was followed by a half an hour laboratory tour whereby I was able to see the environment I would be working in, to meet the team and be exposed to the equipment I would be expected to use on a day to day basis. What help and support did you access in the Careers Zones when you were at university?
What does your job involve? Performing microbiology testing to support product development and current good manufacturing practice production activities throughout all stages of bioprocessing. Performing microbiology testing of facilities’ water points and raw materials, in process product release and stability, to lead the management of samples for projects assigned to me. I am responsible for interpreting and analysing experimental results, and communicating them effectively via study reports and presentations to the microbiology senior manager. Carrying out trend analysis of routine testing and ensuring test specifications are met for raw materials, water testing and intermediate or final product. I report those products which are out of specifications to the microbiology senior manager. Training in new microbiology methods and transfer of methods through to routine application, either internally or to external partners
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GRADUATE CASE STUDY For application advice for postgraduate study, head to the Careers website and download our helpful mini guide and www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfuturesfactsheets: SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 12 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
Please list three things which you like about your job: I am constantly exposed to new challenges and training opportunities which keeps me on my toes. I am passionate about my field of study and surrounded by a broad range of experienced and technical experts, all of whom have been exposed to a selection of different departments within the pharmaceutical sector. Through discussions with these professionals, I am able to further enhance and develop my knowledge which assists in building on my career progression. The site ethos is impeccable. Half the battle of a job is finding somewhere you feel comfortable and where you can enjoy your day.
REBECCA OLDFIELD GRADUATED FROM BSC BIOCHEMISTRY AND IS NOW WORKING AS A MICROBIOLOGIST FOR ALLERGAN BIOLOGICS LTD.
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What did the application/selection process involve for the placement? I sent my CV to Merseyside Police and was invited to an informal interview. After completing this process, I was offered a 12-month placement as a student laboratory technician.
What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? I found many aspects of my degree to be useful during the selection process. The forensic chemistry module and skills module helped me, especially with the mock search and recovery exercise, giving me experience in the use of AP, LMG and KM reagents (which I would go on to prepare and quality check). Another useful part of the degree was the knowledge of COSHH and practical skills I gained in the skills module. CASE
What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team? The Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team helped ensure that my CV was the best it could be. Has it helped you to clarify your career aspirations? My placement also helped me gain experience in other departments of Merseyside Police, which opened my mind to different career paths. Has the employer offered you a permanent job opportunity upon graduation?
What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare?
GRADUATE CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 13CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
I am currently employed as a DNA analyst. However I still assist with and carry out a selection of the tasks I had as a laboratory technician.
What did your placement involve? My role was laboratory based. I assessed items recovered from crime scenes and developed an evidence recovery plan, which utilises various chemical treatments to enhance latent fingermarks. These marks can then be used in the identification or exclusion of suspects in criminal cases.
How have you benefited from the placement? Working in the laboratory allowed me to acquire a more in-depth knowledge of both the practice and theory behind using chemicals to enhance latent fingermarks. I also gained an insight into other areas such as DNA recovery.
FORENSIC SCIENCE GRADUATE JENNIFER LARROSA SECURED A POSITION AS A FORENSIC LABORATORY OFFICER AT MERSEYSIDE POLICE FOLLOWING HER 12-MONTH SANDWICH PLACEMENT
The second and third stages were combined, and involved a face-to-face interview followed by a short practical assessment. Again, I prepared for the interview by reviewing my research notes regarding the company and potential tasks, as well as revising any relevant literature (such as COSHH or the Data Protection Act). The practical assessment is much harder to prepare for, as you never know what will be required of you until the day. I prepared for this by reviewing basic practical skills I acquired from university such as pipette use, preparing dilutions and anything else that seemed like it might be useful.
As a DNA analyst, I am currently involved in carrying out DNA extractions, PCR and setting up samples for capillary electrophoresis, but I am receiving more training on a day-to-day basis to build up new competencies. As a laboratory technician, a lot is required of me. I work to assist all departments on site. This can be preparing reagents, ordering supplies or conducting equipment calibrations. The job role is so diverse that there is never a dull moment. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Apply for placements that seem relevant to what you want to do; even if they are unpaid, chances are that it might lead to a job at the end of the line. Even if it doesn’t lead to a job, employers will see the experience and also that you’re committed. Do your research and prepare for your interviews. It’s all well and good knowing what you have been taught, but if you can’t apply the relevant parts to the employer’s needs, then you may go down in their estimations a bit. My final bit of advice is if you aren’t successful with an application, don’t take it to heart. All it means is that someone was better suited to that company and their position. Ask for feedback from the employer so you can improve and remind yourself that at some point in the future, you will be the person best suited for the job.
GRADUATE
The application process for the laboratory technician position included three stages. The first was a phone interview. I prepared myself for that by researching the company, its history, achievements, where it was based and any other information I could find that might be of use. I also researched some of the tasks that were on the job description, such as reagent preparation methods. I made notes on all the relevant information and I kept that with me during the phone interview. It is important to be ready in plenty of time to avoid being caught off guard by the call and have all of your information organised to prevent you panicking or getting flustered.
BEN BUCKLEY GRADUATED WITH A FORENSIC SCIENCE DEGREE AND NOW WORKS FOR KEY FORENSICS AS A LABORATORY TECHNICIAN/DNA ANALYST
FORENSICSTUDY SCIENCE
Near the end of my placement, full-time roles were advertised and due to the experience I gained I was able to apply. I submitted an application and was invited to a panel interview. Fortunately, I was successful and secured a position as a full-time forensic laboratory officer. Have you got any tips for students who wish to get into a similar job area? Placements are a good opportunity to gain experience, and I would highly recommend applying if you can. In interviews, knowledge of the organisation you wish to work for is key. Each employer has their own values and targets for the future, and it is important to understand them and demonstrate that you can fit in well with them.
What does your current role involve?
What does your role involve on a day-to-day basis?
I work with a team of screening scientists to conduct viral diagnostics for schools, clinics, and the general public throughout the UK. BioGrad is concentrating its efforts on the detection and diagnosis of COVID-19; thus, as a member of my team, my primary responsibilities are: The correct handling of COVID-19 samples; Performing RNA extractions; Running pre-defined RT-PCR protocols; Data collection, and; ❙ Reporting and informing clients of their results within their allocated timeframes. I enjoy all aspects of my job, but in particular being able to put the knowledge and skills I gained throughout my degree to use in assisting thousands of people in recovering from the devastation caused by the multiple lockdowns of 2020/21. This position at BioGrad is not only extremely rewarding, but it has also heightened my passion for science by providing me with invaluable laboratory experience in a real-world setting, which aids my own professional development within the scientific industry – something that BioGrad encourages and supports as a company.
Transferable skills – Try not to focus on the negatives; if you lack work experience directly related to the role you’re applying for, it’s likely that the skills you’ve practised and used in a part-time job are transferable to the job you’re looking to do. I had a wealth of previous experience in waitressing and bartending – this demonstrated that I could work effectively within a team to contribute to objectives while also highlighting my problem-solving abilities through dealing with customer queries and complaints.
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Utilise your time – Make the most of your university experience. Your undergraduate degree is your chance to learn about the career you want to advance to; take advantage of all the help and opportunities that are available to you. Learn as much as you can from your lecturers, both in the laboratory and lecture halls; after all, they are experts in your field of work!
We gain a lot of knowledge and experience from the forensic science degree that can be transferred to other roles. This can be anything from a scientific role to an accounting role – the opportunities are endless. When looking for jobs after university, keep an open mind and be optimistic about new opportunities that arise in the scientific field.
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What help and support did you have from the Careers, Employability and Start-Up Team while you studied at LJMU? The team provides a wealth of assistance and support both online and on a 1-2-1 basis – all of which you should take full advantage of! When it came to writing my CV and cover letter, I had no idea where to start as I had only ever written a CV for part-time work before, so I used the team’s mini guide on CVs and covering letters to help me create a skills-based CV, as I had no previous industry experience that related directly to this role at BioGrad. After I finished writing my CV, I asked the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team for some feedback, and their suggestions for further improvement made me more confident in submitting my application.
After receiving such excellent assistance when tailoring my CV and cover letter, the team was my first port of call for advice on how to properly prepare for my video interview. I found modules like “Preparing for Interviews” and “Video Interviews” on Careers Zone 24/7 particularly useful, but having a chat with a careers adviser and creating an action plan was extremely beneficial for me because it allowed me to ask questions and discuss what my next steps should be to prepare myself for the interview. What tips would you give other students to improve their employability?
How had the COVID-19 pandemic affected you?
All of my final year face-to-face teaching had to be suspended, and while practical lessons were provided through online classes, I found myself feeling very disappointed that opportunities such as being able to conduct lab analysis myself had been taken away from me. Despite the fact that I had ensured that I understood each of the analyses demonstrated in online classes through my own extensive reading and research, I still felt a huge lack of confidence when it came to applying for jobs such as this role at BioGrad, because I had now been out of laboratories for about a year and a half. Having said that, I remained positive and focused on the lab work and research I had carried out as part of my degree, and I took advantage of the new job opportunities that the COVID-19 outbreak offered – after all, the job I have now would not have existed if the pandemic had not occurred.
After applying, I received a response within a month or so and was invited to attend a video interview; after a year of online university, the thought of a video interview was still incredibly daunting for me. Because this was my first interview for a professional job, I took as much time as I could to prepare properly. I looked through the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team’s online resources, I scheduled a 1-2-1 meeting with one of the careers advisers, and I also used TikTok – Tiktok is more than just memes and dancing trends; there are many accounts on there that are actually quite educational and helpful. One account I used helped me in elevating what would have been basic interview answers into well-structured and thought-out answers that I would like to think set me apart from other interviewees.
Work experience – This is one aspect of my university experience that I would definitely change! Due to the COVID pandemic, I was unable to undertake the placement year I had intended to take since beginning my degree. My advice is to gain as much laboratory experience as possible; in fact, any experience related to your career goals would be beneficial, whether through a sandwich year or summer internships, as this could help you to determine what job is best suited to you. There is no such thing as too much experience – the more, the better. Be open-minded! – I came to university with the expectation that once I graduated, I would be working in a forensic discipline – that wasn’t the case for me, and it doesn’t have to be for you either. My current position at BioGrad is merely a stepping stone towards my career in forensics.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 14 CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
ABBIE MOORES IS A FORENSIC SCIENCE GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS A PCR SCREENING SCIENTIST AT BIOGRAD
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What did the application process involve, and how would you advise students to prepare for each stage? I found this job on the Prospects website, which advertises work placements, internships, and graduate jobs for all fields of work across the UK, so when you start looking for jobs after university, definitely look here! The application process for my job was actually quite simple, as it only required me to submit a CV and cover letter via the Prospects website. Always tailor your CV and cover letter to the employer’s requirements, read up on the company itself, and demonstrate that you have put in the time to apply for this job – be interested in what they do and show that to them!
I also have to liaise with coroners’ officers, police officers, funeral directors, bereavement care and nursing staff, bereaved parents and users of the histopathology service ensuring the provision of a high quality, efficient service.
If you can email or chat to people who work in the same field then definitely do, you can talk about it on application forms and also during interviews. This also shows that you have made an effort to learn more about the job.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 15CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES
What relevant work experience and volunteering did you use during the selection process? I was able to mention the knowledge and skills that I gained regarding forensic samples during both lectures and practical exercises during my three years at LJMU. I was able to talk about the different types of things that you might expect to find on or around a body and how to collect them. I was also able to talk about the time that I spent in the laboratories at LJMU, and the skills which I gained from this. My previous employment as a medical laboratory assistant also made me aware of the importance of patient confidentiality and data protection when handling patient samples. It also helped with my accuracy skills when checking patient identification.
Always use the person specification and the job description when completing application forms, the employer gives you them for a reason!
Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? I definitely regret not having a ‘sandwich year’ spent in employment. I feel that I missed out on such a wonderful and enriching experience that could have served me well in life. There were so many amazing opportunities which I didn’t even consider, as an extra year of education rather than earning money didn’t appeal to me at the time. What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?
What did the application/selection process involve for your job and how did you prepare for each stage?
As well as demonstrating that I matched the job description, I described what I had seen and learnt during my tour of the department, at my interview. I also mentioned that I had visited another mortuary on a couple of occasions where I once observed a post-mortem.
I attended several guest lectures from home office pathologists and crime scene investigators which were really helpful in understanding the individual roles involved in forensics. This gave me a valuable insight into these job areas, which helped me in future job interviews. It is not at all like it is portrayed on the Duetelevision!tothese lectures, I was able to talk about the differences between a home office pathologist and a standard histopathologist.
I also gained an insight into the differences between various types of post-mortems and also the role of the crime scene investigator in the post-mortem room.
All of my work is carried out to specific standards set down by the professional bodies including The Royal Society for Public Health, The Association of Anatomical Pathology Technologists, The Clinical Pathology Accreditation and The Human Tissue Authority.
I perform a wide range of technical procedures and provide technical support to histopathologists. These procedures involve the reconstruction of patients following different types of postmortem examinations, and maintaining the post-mortem room.
I also attended a tour and post-mortem viewing courtesy of the staff at The Royal Liverpool Hospital. Whilst I didn’t get to actually be in the post-mortem room, watching from the observation gallery was still insightful. I was lucky enough to observe a complete post-mortem, beginning with the external examination up to the reconstruction of the body. This allowed me to understand the role of the anatomical pathology technician, more than reading about it on the internet. I learnt that the anatomical pathology technicians are a lot more hands on than I first thought, particularly in adult post-mortems where the anatomical pathology technician would perform the whole evisceration.
ANATOMICAL PATHOLOGY TECHNOLOGIST AT ALDER HEY CHILDREN’S NHS TRUST
There are strict rules which I adhere to regarding tissue sampling and storage as set out in our post-mortem consent process and by The Human Tissue Authority.
KATE CANNON IS A FORENSIC SCIENCE GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS AN
What does your job involve (e.g. main duties)? My main role is to provide post-mortem examinations on patient samples as an aid to the diagnosis of foetal, perinatal and paediatric disease and to also assist with establishing the cause of death in suspicious circumstances.
The first stage of the process was to complete an application form concerning my past education and employment. I described my laboratory experience from university and from my employment as a medical laboratory assistant at The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals. By using the job description and person specification as a guide, I demonstrated my knowledge of health and safety, persona protective equipment (PPE) and patient confidentiality. I also mentioned that I was aware of The Human Tissue Authority and The Royal Society for Public Health.
Any work experience, even for a week, would go a long way in helping you to gain some extra knowledge that you can draw from when answering interview questions.
What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Always ask to visit the potential employer for a tour before an interview, it gives you the opportunity to have a good look around and ask questions. You can then talk about it during the interview and show that you are genuinely interested in working with them.
The second and final part of the process was the interview. As soon as I was informed that I had the interview, I asked to come and look around the department first, I also asked to re-visit a mortuary that I had previously spent time at. This gave me a chance to have a good look around, meet potential colleagues and ask them any questions I had regarding the duties of the job and potential questions.
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCES www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures
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What did the application/selection process involve for this job and how did you prepare for each stage? I had applied for hundreds of jobs in my final year around Christmas time in the hope I would find something. I’d always aspired to work at AstraZeneca but knew how competitive it was. After actually being rejected by them for several jobs, due to lack of experience, the manager contacted me to ask whether I’d like to interview for a different job, in quality control. So my advice would be to apply for anything, even if you don’t think you will get it, because you still may get noticed for something else! I prepared for my interview by researching the company and becoming familiar with recent discoveries they had made, as well as knowing what my duties would entail. They seemed thoroughly impressed with the interest I had taken in the company so it is always worth going the extra mile.
GRADUATE CASE STUDY
Some research organisations and pharmaceutical or consumer goods companies also offer summer or year-long placements in both scientific and non-scientific roles. These include companies such as AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, P&G, the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK. Check their websites for details and closing dates. Research placements such as through the Nuffield Foundation (http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/nuffield-research-placements
Please download the ‘laboratory work experience’ booklet from the resources page of the Student Futures website for further information: www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures. You may also be interested in gaining work experience in a health or care setting, for example if you are hoping to pursue a career in medicine or in the allied health professions following your degree. If you would like to undertake voluntary work within a hospital, this can be arranged by contacting the volunteer co-ordinator for that hospital. Consult our mini guide about volunteering, which is available on the Careers website, for details of local hospitals. Please note that the application process for voluntary work in hospitals can take several months, so make sure that you apply well in advance of when you require this voluntary work. As volunteering opportunities in hospitals can sometimes be oversubscribed, it is also advisable to apply to more than one hospital and to also consider other types of work experience in healthcare such as volunteering in a care home or in a hospice. Paid jobs within the NHS are advertised on www.jobs.nhs.uk/
At the interview, I made sure I spoke about everything I possibly could when it came to experience. I talked about what I had learnt during my university degree course and about my final year project. I also talked about my work experience, volunteering and sporting activities. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? I would advise other students to do some form of work experience or volunteering that can relate to the job you potentially want. It is ideal to start doing work experience in the first year, or in the summer when your work load isn’t too big. I would also advise students to definitely pick a final year project that relates to the job you want so you can talk about it in interview, and make sure you enjoy it! It’s obvious to employers whether you enjoy what you do or not, and could be the difference in whether you get the job or not. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? I would use my free time more wisely and volunteer, or get some form of work experience earlier on, ideally from the first year onwards. Third year is so much more stressful and trying to find the time to improve your employability is nearly impossible. What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? My final year project ended up being discussed during the interview. The interviewers seemed impressed when I spoke about commonly using GC, HPLC, ICP/AAS and MS instruments in my studies so I would say it is important to talk about practical knowledge.
ALICIA MOTTRAM GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN FORENSIC SCIENCE AND NOW WORKS AS AN ANALYTICAL TEAM COORDINATOR FOR ASTRAZENECA
What does your job involve?
Three things you like about your job I like the opportunity to pursue a career within the company, being able to use all that I have learnt at university in a practical application and knowing what I am doing is making a difference.
If you are hoping to work in a laboratory setting in the future, it is important to remember that any work experience you gain in a laboratory is useful, even if this is not in the sector you eventually wish to go into. This will enable you to show that you have put into practice some of the laboratory techniques you have learnt during your degree course in an applied setting. Work experience may also enable you to expand your experience of using different types of instrumentation and it will show that you can work safely in a laboratory setting. It will also help you to demonstrate that you can work within a team in a laboratory environment. Laboratory experience can therefore be instrumental in ‘giving you the edge’ when applying to graduate level jobs later on. Science students may look for laboratory work experience in a hospital or industrial setting or even in a secondary school setting.
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Work experience: general advice for all students
My main role currently is conducting automated dissolution tests with HPLC finish, as well as performing uniformity of content testing, moisture determination and many other tests on a range of pharmaceutical products. I also have to conduct weekly preventative maintenance on the robots and instruments which we use, to ensure they are fully calibrated and in their best condition for testing.
What help and support did you access from the Careers, Employability & Start-Up Team? The employability advisers at Byrom Careers Zone helped me perfect my CV. A careers adviser also assisted me with interview techniques by giving me a mock interview. This practice interview made me feel so much more confident and highlighted areas I needed to improve on beforehand, so I was a lot calmer on the day. What relevant work experience, volunteering and Student Union activities did you use during the selection process?
can also be a useful way to test your skills in a work-based environment and to find out whether a career in research is for you.
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCESwww.ljmu.ac.uk/studentfutures 17CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CASE STUDIES Meet your future employer or get clarity on your future direction &EMPLOYABILITYCAREERS,START-UP EVENTS To see what’s coming up, go to: studentfutures.ljmu.ac.uk Events include: ❙ Careers and employability sessions ❙ Start-Up events and meet-ups ❙ Employer events ❙ Recruitment fairs ❙ Guest speakers
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