Oakthorpe Scientific Consultancy

👀 Are you struggling to be seen on LinkedIn and make an impact? 👀 For current university students or recent graduates looking to promote themselves on LinkedIn without investing too much time, here are three key tips: 1. Optimize Your Profile: Ensure your LinkedIn profile is complete, with a professional photo, a compelling headline, and a concise summary highlighting your academic background, skills, and career interests. Use keywords relevant to your field to improve visibility. 2. Showcase Projects and Achievements: Add relevant academic projects, research, or internships to your profile. Include descriptions, outcomes, and any skills gained. This can give potential employers or collaborators a clear sense of your abilities. 3. Engage Strategically: You don’t need to post daily, but aim to engage with your network by liking, commenting, or sharing industry-relevant content a few times a week. This keeps you visible and demonstrates thought leadership without requiring too much effort. These three tips should help you build a strong, professional presence without overwhelming your schedule. If people have more tips they want to share then please comment. I am doing a group mentoring session tomorrow night with Health and Life Science International Students so I am sure LinkedIn and the importance of networking and making industry connections will come up. Jessica Rietbrock Martina Neville, PhD Stephanie M King #mentoring #brandawareness #personalbrand #growth #visibility #skills #internships #workexperience

#WednesdayWisdom I was out walking this morning and saw a number of cars speeding through the village and it got me thinking about how people are so in a hurry these days……..🤔 In today's fast-paced world, there is a growing rush to achieve milestones such as owning a dream home, landing a high-paying job, or driving the latest luxury car. However, this urgency often overlooks the importance of preparation and the value of taking the time to develop the skills and mindset necessary to truly appreciate and sustain these goals. People are so focused on the destination that they neglect the journey—the learning, growth, and personal development that come with it. We live in an era where instant gratification is the norm, driven by social media and a culture of comparison. But this rush to success can lead to a lack of depth and long-term fulfillment. The pressure to “have it all” quickly often means that individuals skip over important steps, such as acquiring the experience, emotional resilience, and financial stability that would make these achievements sustainable and rewarding. Rather than hurrying towards a goal, it is crucial to slow down and embrace the process. Success is not just about the end result but about the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the personal growth that takes place along the way. Taking the time to fully prepare—whether it’s saving money, building a career, or strengthening relationships—ensures that when the goal is finally achieved, it is done so with confidence, readiness, and a deep sense of accomplishment. Who agrees?

#TransformationTuesday Here are five key things new graduates should FOCUS on when starting their work careers: - Networking is crucial: Building professional relationships can open doors and provide valuable opportunities beyond job applications. - Soft skills matter: Communication, teamwork, and adaptability are often just as important as technical skills in the workplace. - Expect setbacks: Career paths are rarely linear; learning from failures and setbacks is part of growth and development. - Seek feedback: Regularly asking for constructive criticism can help you improve and demonstrate your willingness to learn. - Work-life balance is essential: Establishing boundaries early on helps maintain mental health and prevents burnout over time. #networking #mentoring #Careers #skills #graduates Oakthorpe Scientific Consultancy Andy Morris

Your work career is a journey. At the beginning, find a mentor to help you identify and develop your skills and find valuable industry connections and opportunities. As you progress and learn more, share your knowledge and become the mentor - pass on your experience to those more junior. With lifelong learning you can be the mentor, as well as, be the student and have a mentor. Please like if you agree and share your thoughts on the career journey of learning and mentorship. Jessica Rietbrock Martina Neville, PhD Stephanie M King Andy Morris

Small steps over giant leaps……… how small changes can make the world of difference!! Making small improvements each day can lead to significant self-growth over time. Here are some ways this daily practice can make a difference: - Consistency Builds Habits: Small, manageable changes can help establish positive habits that become automatic over time. - Incremental Progress: Daily improvements can lead to gradual mastery in skills, whether personal or professional, fostering confidence and competence. - Resilience and Adaptability: Regularly facing and overcoming small challenges can enhance your ability to handle larger obstacles in the future. - Increased Motivation: Celebrating small victories can boost your motivation and create a positive feedback loop, encouraging you to keep pushing forward. - Enhanced Mindfulness: Focusing on small changes encourages mindfulness, helping you stay present and aware of your growth journey. - Broader Perspective: Daily reflection on your progress can shift your mindset, helping you appreciate the journey rather than just the destination. By committing to daily improvements, you create a cumulative effect that can lead to transformative changes in your life.

#FridayFollow In the Life Sciences sector in the UK 🇬🇧 we have just had the Lab Innovations show. A great opportunity to see all the latest suppliers and manufacturers in the industry. Also a good chance to meet up with customers and friends. So this weeks follow suggestions go out to some of the people I met up with. Teja Sirec, PhD - Marketer working with Life Science companies to provide strategies and grow their brand Paul Cunningham - MD at Discovery Fine Chemicals - provides chemicals globally and a great guy to know. Also good to meet Daniel Cunningham - the next generation!! Stephanie M King - an absolute star 🌟 that I finally got to meet in person. Has been so helpful in working one of my mentees Sade Olatunde Agidee and a thoroughly lovely individual. Tom Marren - Director of WOMAG - always enjoy the company of Tom picking up knowledge from the world of Weighing - your go to company for balance servicing and calibration. Automation also played a key role at this years show so notable mentions for people that work in this arena go to Dan Lord from Opentrons Labworks Inc. and Dr. Helen V Bennett from Peak Analysis & Automation If microscopy is your thing I met up with David Benson from GT Vision Ltd and Raj Saini from Leica Microsystems - your go to people if you work in material sciences. Please feel free, if you were at the show, to tag in other people for this weeks Friday Follow. #networking #connections

#MondayMotivation Don’t get bored of doing the basics consistently well!!! That’s where true success will come from………. Aim for 1% improvement everyday and see the growth at the end of the year!!!

🌟 Unlocking Opportunities: The Power of Networking for Life Science Graduates 🌟 As life science graduates, we possess a wealth of knowledge and skills, but to truly thrive in our careers, we must leverage the power of networking. Why is networking crucial? Access to Opportunities: Many roles are filled through referrals and connections. Building relationships can give you a leg up in a competitive job market. Mentorship and Guidance: Networking can lead to invaluable mentorship. Experienced professionals can provide insights, advice, and encouragement as you navigate your career path. Staying Informed: The life sciences field is constantly evolving. Networking helps you stay updated on industry trends, innovations, and emerging research. Collaborative Growth: Engaging with peers can spark new ideas and collaborations that enhance your research and professional projects. As you embark on your career journey, remember to invest time in building your professional network. Attend industry conferences, join relevant online groups, and don’t hesitate to reach out to alumni or professionals in your field. What networking approaches and strategies have you found most effective? Share your experiences below! #LifeSciences #Networking #CareerDevelopment #Graduates

Truth. Love this. So awesome to see a student step up and go after what they want. Jacqueline Boakye is making full use of the opportunity to work with me, work for her... It could so easily could have passed her by. Making a connection count too and with a professional of the highest calibre who won't waste a moment chasing their own personal best. The influence of Dr Stewart Sale here is clear here... Connections are key, as is 'sleeve up' action and the cheery on top is then the presence of mind to share it online for others to consider. Grateful to know and work with both and bask in their excellence. Compels me to learn from their example and turn the dial up to 11. Big respect to you both

I believe this post is long overdue, however I would like to share my experience I had partly at the beginning of the year and over the summer which has helped boost my confidence, not only as a student but more importantly as a future biomedical scientist. At the start of this academic year, I had the opportunity to speak to a large group of students across multiple year groups. I spoke about my experiences and the opportunities I have had and how these have helped develop my skill sets. From attending lectures and tutorials discussing my experiences with my peers - many students I have spoken with all have one question – “How did she do it?” The answer is simple but I have chosen to explain my answer stating the few bold steps I took to reach this milestone. Last year I enrolled on the “Inside Edge Mentoring Programme” at De Montfort University which is headed up by Andy Morris. Andy has been a strong backbone to my growth and confidence. The scheme introduced me to a world of industry players who have shared their stories and inspired me to do better for myself. At the time of enrolment I had faced, what I used to call a setback in my academic journey, I felt lost and unsure of the career path to take. Through the Inside Edge Mentoring Programme, I got matched with an incredible mentor Dr Stewart Sale. He had a lot to share and right from day one of meeting at one of the mentoring sessions I knew he would have a lot to offer me. We have had meetings where he has shared valuable industry insights and how I would be able to build myself up for a role as a biomedical scientist. Through his mentoring I have been able to build capacity to not shy away from asking questions, reading wide and being industrially aware. His mentoring and industry connections gave me an opportunity to meet and engage with Robert Baker. Rob was kind enough to offer me numerous weeks of experience in his Haematology lab, one of the busiest in London. My experience in the few weeks was invaluable. I could not thank Robert Baker and Shaila- Chinchole and their entire team at the HeamOnc Department enough for the support offered to me in February and during the Summer. I look forward to working with them again, next year, as I start my placement year in the Haematology Lab. My advice to other students is to get involved in a mentoring programme. Try to connect, and engage with industry leaders in the sector you want to work. Do not be afraid to ask questions to expand your knowledge and try and use these leaders to make introductions to people where you can get work experience and expand your skills. Many will be keen to help you if you ask them. I have enjoyed the journey so far and look forward to seeing what more experiences will come.