Post on 22-Dec-2015
SESSION OUTLINE
• Life Science Graduates – who are they?• Life Sciences – qualifications and skills• What do Life Science Graduates do?• Where do Life Sciences Graduates Work?• Examples of careers• What are employers looking for?• Useful resources and information
Life Science Graduates – who are they?
Life Science at Manchester includes a wide range of subject areas
Anatomical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biology with Business and Management, Biology with Science and Society, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology (Enterprise), Cell Biology, Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Life Sciences, Medical Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology, Plant Science, Zoology….
…with or without a Modern Language!
http://www.hecsu.ac.uk/current_projects_what_do_graduates_do.htm
Grad job or non-grad?
• Dental hygienist• Veterinary nurse• Marketing administrator• Comedian• Novelist• Laboratory technician• Office manager• Personal trainer
GRAD JOB
NON GRAD
GRAD JOB
GRAD JOB
GRAD JOB
GRAD JOB
NON GRAD
NON GRAD
What did Manchester Life Science graduates do? (2012)
NHS Graduate Management TraineeResearcher, advertising agency
DNA Analyst, Forensic Services firmMed Sales Rep, Abbott
Quality Control Analyst, SanofiTrainee Vascular Scientist, NHS
Graduate trainee (audit), DeloitteMicrobiologist, Sanofi
Record Label Assistant, Independent labelProject manager, ReachOut!
Scientific Copy Editor, Biomedical publisherMedia Manager, Shark Lab
Scientific Officer, Paterson Institute
What did Manchester Life Science graduates do? (2012)
Further study• PhD/Masters/MRes: Degree related, Translational Med,
Nutrition, Cancer Research, Enterprise, Integrative Biology, Experimental Psychology, Biotech, Environmental
• Second degree: Medicine (13), Veterinary Medicine (1), Nursing/Midwifery (5)
• Vocational training: PGCE, Law/GDL, business, science communications, journalism, management
“I want to work in a lab”
• Academic Research & Development– An Academic Career website
• Industrial Research and/or Development– E.g. utilities, food, FMCG, energy, pharma, civil service (e.g. DSTL),
environmental, pest control
• Clinical Science (NHS Scientist Training Programme)
• Placements/work experience give an advantage– Year in Industry, degrees with Industrial Experience,
summer studentships
• Postgrad study may be desirable/essential
“I want to use my degree outside of the lab”
• Science communication• Healthcare• Environment• Teaching• Med Sales• Patents
Science Communication
• Scientific journalism (newspapers, publications, learned societies, online)
• Medical writing (PhD often needed)• Scientific publishing• Public engagement• Advertising, marketing and events e.g. product
launches, brand strategy• Relevant/work experience is important!
– Societies, volunteering, blogging, “Mad Science” type jobs…
Medicine / healthcare support
• Medicine – 4 and 5 year programmes available to graduates– Work experience critical, shadowing and care
experience• Physiotherapy• Radiography• Nursing• Pharmacy• Dietetics• Veterinary Medicine
Environmental work
• Relevant degree, sometimes postgrad too • Work experience is crucial to prove commitment
– Industrial experience / summer studentships– Regular volunteering, work shadowing
• Diverse roles/work areas– flood defence, energy, agriculture, conservation, waste
management, forestry, with animals, pest control, sustainability
Science information
• Patents – Good grades, second European language
• Teaching – Classroom experience important/experience with kids– Student ambassador scheme, taster days, mentoring…
• Med sales– Shadow a rep to find out if it is for you– Summer placement in a pharma/FMCG
company (sales/marketing)
What do employers want from graduates?
• Imagination and enthusiasm• Customer focus• 'Can do' attitude• Ability to work in teams• Ability to adapt• Initiative• Drive• Analytical skills• Self-management• Cultural sensitivity
• Ability to use IT• Managing learning & career• Higher level problem solving
skills• Creativity• Leadership• Communication skills• Commercial awareness• Passion • Project management
What do employers want?
3 most important factors considered by (employers) when recruiting graduates:– Positive attitude– Employability– Relevant work experience
(Scottish Life Science Recruiters Survey 2011)
What Employers Want
• 61% of employers felt relevant work experience or an industrial placement was the most important factor to consider when recruiting graduates
(COGENT, 2011)
Pharmaceutical careersinformation site
7 Useful Resources
Careers Resources plus advice on Going to University
Student Information Services Ltdwebsite with useful info and stats
Science Careers Pathways, including life, industry andnuclear
Going to University
Graduate careers site with“options with your subject”
Russell Group guide to post 16 study
Thanks for listening
www.manchester.ac.uk/careers www.ls.manchester.ac.uk/undergraduate/