Quite a few years- 6 to be precise! I did a 3 year Bachelors degree in Biotechnology followed my a two year Masters In Biotechnology. After that spent a good year working in a lab as a Junior fellow on a few projects related to kidney disorders and diabetes, before moving to UK for my PhD degree.
Thanks Meg for the question. It was a step by step process starting from school. I did an Integrated Masters in Chemistry in India lasting for 5 years during which I did my master’s thesis in Canada during my year abroad. Post this, I am pursuing a PhD in a Doctoral Training Program during which I did a year of MRes followed by two years of PhD and presently in the third year. But it has been an exciting journey of 8 years as well as the destination.
Hey Meg, I have been a scientist for a number of years! I studied natural sciences for 3 years at Uni, then did a Masters and PhD in 4 years and now have been working as a scientist for 7 years!
But at each stage of this process, I had opportunities to change what I do, Lerners new skills, meet new people, move to a different city/country.
The whole process is important for the opportunities you get along the way and to learn as much about science as about yourself!
For me it took 3 years to get qualified. In our line of work you can get the degree as a paid apprenticeship. This is still an open option and there are two ways of completing this.
To get where I am now though, as a lead scientist, took 15 years. I have been very lucky, with my job I have worked around the UK but also spent time studying and doing research in France, Germany and Italy.
There are massive opportunities out there for so many new people. You can do it the way I did or you can remain in yiur local hospital and work your way up.
With science you’re always learning, but if you want to get a promotion then you need to learn how to coach and mentor others.
Being able to teach others and share the lessons you’ve picked up along the way, and avoid making the same mistake twice will get you moving forward. In chemistry you want to apply knowledge and problem solving across projects and never openly criticise people as that will come back to haunt you.
Back in 2010 I supervised a placement student who went on to complete a PHD and is now back working with us, and even then I knew he might become my boss one day. Being clever is just part of the package, but having the correct social skills will get you further.
Treat people the way you would like to be treated, and just keep on trying new things and applying the knowledge across different scenarios will help you. Working in a large company with different options might also help you develop and be able to keep doing new things that push you and never be afraid to try new things.
I switched between school and work at the end of every degree, so it’s taken quite a while- altogether 9 years for degrees and 3 of working in the feild
Comments
Romain commented on :
Hey Meg, I have been a scientist for a number of years! I studied natural sciences for 3 years at Uni, then did a Masters and PhD in 4 years and now have been working as a scientist for 7 years!
But at each stage of this process, I had opportunities to change what I do, Lerners new skills, meet new people, move to a different city/country.
The whole process is important for the opportunities you get along the way and to learn as much about science as about yourself!
Duncan commented on :
Hi Meg,
For me it took 3 years to get qualified. In our line of work you can get the degree as a paid apprenticeship. This is still an open option and there are two ways of completing this.
To get where I am now though, as a lead scientist, took 15 years. I have been very lucky, with my job I have worked around the UK but also spent time studying and doing research in France, Germany and Italy.
There are massive opportunities out there for so many new people. You can do it the way I did or you can remain in yiur local hospital and work your way up.
Andrew commented on :
With science you’re always learning, but if you want to get a promotion then you need to learn how to coach and mentor others.
Being able to teach others and share the lessons you’ve picked up along the way, and avoid making the same mistake twice will get you moving forward. In chemistry you want to apply knowledge and problem solving across projects and never openly criticise people as that will come back to haunt you.
Back in 2010 I supervised a placement student who went on to complete a PHD and is now back working with us, and even then I knew he might become my boss one day. Being clever is just part of the package, but having the correct social skills will get you further.
Treat people the way you would like to be treated, and just keep on trying new things and applying the knowledge across different scenarios will help you. Working in a large company with different options might also help you develop and be able to keep doing new things that push you and never be afraid to try new things.
Kirsty commented on :
I switched between school and work at the end of every degree, so it’s taken quite a while- altogether 9 years for degrees and 3 of working in the feild