So, it has been a little over 6 months since working as a Chemistry Lab Technician as part of the Academic Technical Services Team at the University of Sunderland. Starting the job was both exciting but daunting. I knew I would particularly spend a lot of time within the analytical department when most of my focus at Uni was more synthesis when it came to 3rd and final year projects and the modules I selected. I remember my first day like it was yesterday, walking into a lab full of HPLCs, GC’s etc. and being told that I will set up and run methods and repair the instruments in the months to come yet not even knowing what a HPLC column looks like. Within the first month I was changing columns and running multiple test mixes daily to test to see if the columns and the instruments were up to standard for the upcoming intake of students and recognising how peak shapes determine the quality of a column. Months later, I can develop methods on HPLC to separate various types of compounds, demonstrate flame photometry and atomic absorption to students and explain how, and why they work the way they do. Working with students is something I was a little apprehensive about, but it’s always rewarding when something they do works and seeing them lose a little bit of doubt they had in themselves and enjoy the labs that they do. Complimenting them on their accomplishments seems to really go a long way for their confidence. I’ve tested, prepped and adjusted methods on the GC for various drug detection without much prior experience and the lab ran well with good results from the students. Fixing a leak or changing a frit on the HPLC has become second nature, along with learning how to take apart a pump and replace old seals. I think one of my favourite parts of my job is being given independence and being trusted to do these things on my own and this is something you can learn at university, but you never truly practice it until you go into the world of work. The people I work alongside who have trained me, I cannot thank enough. They have made this whole process comfortable and enjoyable and made it so easy for me to learn the basics so quickly. Despite learning so much, there are always opportunities to learn, and I am learning something new every day, but I am settled enough that I can perform tasks such as prep and maintenance without much help, if any at all. Starting a new job in an industry you have never worked in before straight after graduating can be daunting, but sometimes you just need someone to give you a little push and it all becomes worth it. 😊
Pharmaceutical sales representative at Amgen SA #ONO
3moListening to what Tbo Touch said on Metro FM today was so disheartening. He literally is not informed about our BSc challenges and he even mentioned that we are just lazy to look for jobs. He told the Biochemistry guest that he was lying when he said he couldn't not get a job over a year of endless applications. I really don't think people are well informed about the challenges we face when looking for jobs, especially without certification of some sort (HPCSA) .. I FEEL HE COULD HAVE USED THE PLATFORM TO TALK MORE ABOUT HOW WE CAN Tackle THE ISSUES