Laboratory scientist (Chemistry) Review

My role is as an analytical chemist in a laboratory. It involves setting up and running experiments using HPLC instruments to measure a variety of properties to characterise molecules, and using excel and visualisation software to analyse the data generated. I do regular safety checks of the lab, and can do practical labwork such as making solutions for the instruments and preparing samples to be analysed

Definitely! being in a work environment has challenged me to be more organised with emails and paperwork, and to interact with many different people regularly and have thus improved my communication skills. Specific to my job, I have vastly improved my problem solving skills and analytical skills as well as my competency using excel.

I really enjoy the apprenticeship programme! I am in a great team of people and my wider department is very friendly - we often meet for coffee and have breakfast together. The work is varied and I find I am well suited to it, and there are plenty of development opportunities available. There are social events for apprentices and students which are nice to interact with people your own age. I didn't really know what I was expecting when I started but I really really enjoy it.

Centrally, the scheme is fairly well organised but could do with some improvements particularly in settling everyone in as quickly as possible. I also find the experience is highly variable depending on the team and leadership relevant to the apprentice. I have had plenty of training and support, I was assigned a mentor almost as soon as I started and she has been extremely crucial in my settling in and development. My manager is aware of my studies and exams and aids me when she can so I am never too stressed or overworked.

My manager is extremely helpful and gives me more than adequate support to both work and study and balance it all. She regularly sets me development tasks such as to improve my confidence and presentation skills which I find very useful. My mentor was assigned to me by my manager as soon as I started, before the central apprenticeship team and she allows me to talk about my career and development plan in a more general sense and to talk through any issues. The people I am around on a daily basis are incredibly helpful and supportive.

My university degree is probably the most difficult element of the scheme, it can often take longer than a normal working day which can raise issues but I can usually finish everything. There is support available but can be hard not talking to teachers face to face but the apprenticeship team at the university are incredibly approachable and are aware of this.

I think it is crucial to my job as I work better when I can understand the theory behind what I am doing. It allows me to be more critical and work out how things are done the way they are done and gives me confidence to do my day to day role.

There are social events for the students and apprenticeships as well as site wide events which allow a chance to interact with people who I wouldn't otherwise meet. There are employee groups which hold events and socials as well and chances are that there is usually something going on!

Yes

I would definitely recommend both the company and the apprenticeship scheme to a friend, I love my job and think it is the nicest place to work! everybody is so lovely and it is a lovely environment to both work and study in. I think the most important thing to me is that I can get a degree whilst I work.

Be yourself! Research the scheme and the company first to make sure it is what you are interested in and don't be afraid to reach out and ask questions if you're unsure about anything. The process is also a great learning curve for applying to jobs in the future.