Laboratory Scientist Review

On a day to day basis I would follow recipe sheets to create formulations of either liquid or solid formulas. There are PPE and COSHH forms that need to be followed. After use machines and equipment need to be cleaned by yourself and stored away. Additional tests on the products made will be required, e.g. pH

I am being trained for a level 6 in laboratory science, my university supplies me with the needed mathematical and chemical knowledge as well as having residentials to allow practical development. The workplace also trains you on all machinery and technical skills required within the workplace and helps develop any academical skills in writing or speaking that you may have had before by having you lead meetings and write scientific experiments up.

I thoroughly enjoy the work aspect of my job, however I believe almost all universities have failed to fully adapt to having apprentices and often teach subject of topic for a specialised degree or try and ram too much into a study day resulting in me often having 12 hours of study time when the required is only 7

the organisation and structure put in place by Unilever is commendable, they allow apprentices to meet others starting in the same year as them and have social spaces so you can meet with the previous years apprentices too allowing you to have help on your programme. They also offer you a mentor within your laboratory space to give you guidance and help within the workplace. The university seem to struggle to keep to its own timeframes and often feels overwhelming with the work loads, along side the lack of communication and organisation

The employer offers a lot of support! With mental health, physical health checks that are totally voluntary. I'm autistic and I have a back injury and the workplace was immediately asking how they can help and showing me special breakout spaces within the workplace that I can go to if I feel overwhelmed!

The university offers academic support as well as having mental health and disability services. They offer Personal Learning Plans to help make your exams and coursework easier like offering 10 minute breaks for every hour of an exam if you have problems with attention. There is a lack of tutors and advising and the general attitude of lecturers doesn't seem like they're too keen on changing their way for the students

Honestly, I feel as though my training hasn't helped me much. The unit on safety regulations allowed me to more accurately understand COSHH forms within my workplace but as that isn't one of my job roles it wasn't of much importance. Meetings with the university study assistants help you and your manager set appropriate targets in work to help you achieve your degree

At my work, there are multiple extra curricular activities that you can do, additionally within my office space we ran a Great British Bake-Off raffle were you would randomly pick a person from the show and you would bake something from the week that they went out on. There is also a 5-a-side that is played by members of our office

Yes

They offer a good competitive wage for the business and have multiple locations around England and the world. They allow fluidity around where you work in the business and have training for both level 3/4/6 and a senior leadership programme that acts as a fast track into management within the company

Be yourself! The interviews will feel long and overwhelming but spending hours and hours on trying to perfect all your answers will have you sounding a robot rather than like a scientist! Relax, take a second before you answer and remember that they're looking for potential not a fully fledged scientist!