A number of our students join us knowing exactly what they want to do after university. And just as many will be undecided by the end of their degree (which is completely normal). Even if you have clear idea of what professional path you’re aiming for, making the transition still takes preparation – and we can help you with this.
Our Year in Industry gives you hands-on experience of chemical industries through a prestigious work placement. Over the course of this year, you will work alongside industry professionals, explore you career options and develop the skills needed to do so. Not to mention, it’s a great addition to your CV.
One of our current students, Aneesah, recently undertook a placement with GlaxoSmithKline. For her, it was a golden opportunity to pick up valuable, all-round experience.
“During my industrial placement, I worked in the Medicinal Chemistry Department at GSK. I worked on early-stage drug discovery projects, my role entailed devising and carrying out effective synthetic routes to deliver target molecules.
Throughout my placement, I had the chance to learn a wide range of laboratory techniques and gained a deeper understanding of the drug discovery process and the pharmaceutical industry. My year at GSK has been fantastic and has not only helped me develop as a chemist but also as a person and allowed me to meet many incredible people throughout the year."
In addition to the Year in Industry, we offer other tools and resources geared at boosting your skills and making sure you’re ready for your next step.
The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences has a dedicated careers consultant, who is on hand to offer specialist advice and organise subject-specific events. We also have a dedicated internships coordinator, who can support you in finding a position which is a good fit for you and your studies.
Once you’re enrolled as a student, you can always drop into the Queen Mary Careers and Enterprise Service for a chat – whether you have a specific query or just want to talk through your options.
The Careers Service offers specialist advice on choosing a career path, support with finding work experience and graduate jobs, feedback on CVs, cover letters and application forms, and interview coaching.
You’ll also have access to a programme of events aimed at connecting you with potential employers. Representatives from high-profile companies and organisations are invited to lead skills-based workshops, take part in panel discussions and present their own opportunities to students throughout the year.
Among these events is the annual Science and Technology Careers Fair, exhibiting internships, graduate schemes and live vacancies from over 20 employers in the science and technology sectors. It’s a great opportunity to network with respected professionals while learning more about the career paths available to you.
If you’re keen to gain extra work experience, Queen Mary’s employment agency, QTemps, can help you find temporary jobs on campus – including specialist part-time clinical and healthcare work.
You can also get involved with the range of initiatives run by the Careers and Enterprise team, including taster schemes with employers, consultancy projects with local organisations, and internships.