Oncology Translational Science Apprentice Review

My daily roles vary depending on what stage on a project I am in. If I am in the early stages of a project I am more office based. I am arranging meetings, discussing with the project lead and team, creating a workplan and organising my lab work to meet the deadline. Additionally it involves lots of research so ensure I have a strong understanding of the project (design, patients, drugs, drug pathways, value and priority of the study). If I am in the mid stages of a project I am heavily lab based. I will be preparing samples and running the various experiments to a high standard in order to produce the required data. This could take many weeks but it my favourite part of my job. Towards the end of a project I am working in between the office and the lab. I am checking the data and to see if it passes quality control. This may involve repeating experiments to ensure high quality of data is produced. I will carry out basic data analysis using various software before giving the data to an analysis/ bioinformatics team to carry out further analysis.

I have gained many new skills throughout my apprenticeship. Having come from school I had essentially no laboratory or workplace experience. I am always supported by my manager and supervisor to attend training courses to develop my skills. I can carry out various laboratory experiments on different machines/ equipment: - Gene expression assays using Nanostring - RNA quantification - Tissue sectioning - Immunohistochemistry - In situ hybridisation I have gained personal skills from general day-to-day interactions as well as attending personal development courses: - time-management - communication - problem-solving - organisation and planning - networking - confidence

My job is so varied allowing me to learn and gain new skills everyday. My team uses various technologies and equipment and they are always supportive and encouraging of me to learn and be trained in all aspects. This not only benefits me as I gain more skills but benefits the team as another individual who is competent in many tasks and can independently carry out experiments. The opportunities I am given and the trust my team has in me has exceeded my expectations.

The university course is clearly structured stating which modules and exams I should be completing very year as well as some training and opportunities I should be getting at work (presenting, health and safety, etc.). There are regular university review meetings providing support, monitoring my progress and giving an opportunity to ask questions. At work I have weekly meetings with my supervisor to ensure I am on track with my projects, helping me plan my weeks ahead and providing me with help and advice when I need it. There are weekly team and department meetings to get updates, understand what everyone is doing and showcase the work you are doing to others. In addition I have monthly meetings with my manager to track my progress, ask for advice and create goals.

My supervisor constantly provides support and guidance to make sure I am comfortable with my workload and I have an understanding of what I am doing. I can raise any concerns with her and I am immediately given advice or action is taken to help. My manager is available whenever I need to discuss anything and helps me understand the value of the work I do. I am encouraged by my supervisor, manager, apprenticeship program organisers and my general team to attend courses, events and training to further develop myself. I genuinely feel I work in a supportive environment where everybody wants me to succeed and thrive.

The university are available via emails, phone calls and even face to face meetings if I want to discuss anything. Both my university supervisor and academic advisors answer my questions and provide information to help me with my course. I feel I am given sufficient support in order for me to gain my desired qualification to a high standard.

By gaining my bioscience qualification whilst working in a pharmaceutical company I am able to apply this scientific theory I learn into physical practice in the laboratory. Furthering my scientific knowledge by studying for my degree helps me understand the theory to the experiments I carry out at work. Even if the theory I learn is not directly related to my work I can contact other departments are discuss how they apply this knowledge to their work everyday. Additionally, if I am struggling with my study or want to know more I am surrounded by qualified scientists in my workplace to provide me with more information to further my understanding.

There are various extra-curricular activities at AstraZeneca, such as Networking Days, Monthly Socials, TGIF, AZinspire, Amaze, Charity Committees, Network of Women, STEM and sport team. AZinspire is a group for all the students at AZ (apprentices, Industrial placement students, master students, graduate students and PhD students) to socialise and learn more about the pharmaceutical industry and workplace. AZinspire not only organise in-work events such as symposiums and meeting. They regularly arrange out of work social events such as pub crawls, pub quizzes, nights out, picnics, punting, bowling, escape rooms and dinners.

Yes

AstraZeneca is a great place to work. There are constantly opportunities to learn and for self development through training courses and workshops. You are surrounded by friendly colleagues in a supportive and encouraging environment. No matter what department you are in and what your role is you are making a difference and having an impact to the company. It is also a great place to network and get involved in variety of extra-curricular activities.

AstraZeneca has core values that shapes the company and contribute to the purpose and impact of the work. A passion for science is key as no matter your role in any department you are part of a world leading pharmaceutical company making a difference and impact to drug development. Personality, communication and open-mindedness are also important as you are working in a diverse environment and collaborating with a variety of people with different scientific and academic backgrounds.