What Do Life Science Graduates Do?

Suzanne Creeber Careers Consultant

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!

What do Life Science graduates do?

http://www.hecsu.ac.uk/current_projects_what_do_graduates_do.htm

Grad job or non-grad?

• • • • • • • • Dental hygienist 

GRAD JOB

Veterinary nurse 

NON GRAD

Marketing administrator Comedian 

GRAD JOB

Novelist 

GRAD JOB



NON GRAD

Laboratory technician 

GRAD JOB

Office manager 

NON GRAD

Personal trainer 

GRAD JOB

What did Manchester Life Science graduates do? (2012)

NHS Graduate Management Trainee

Researcher, advertising agency

DNA Analyst, Forensic Services firm

Med Sales Rep, Abbott

Quality Control Analyst, Sanofi

Trainee Vascular Scientist, NHS

Graduate trainee (audit), Deloitte

Microbiologist, Sanofi

Record Label Assistant, Independent label

Project manager, ReachOut!

Scientific Copy Editor, Biomedical publisher

Media Manager, Shark Lab

Scientific Officer, Paterson Institute

Where do Life Science graduates work?

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

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)

7 Useful Resources

Russell Group guide to post 16 study Student Information Services Ltd website with useful info and stats Science Careers Pathways, including life, industry and nuclear Graduate careers site with “options with your subject” Going to University Pharmaceutical careers information site Careers Resources plus advice on Going to University

Thanks for listening

www.manchester.ac.uk/careers www.ls.manchester.ac.uk/undergraduate/