What degree did you study?
I studied BSc Biology at the University of Leeds and then did an MSc in Medical Imaging.
How did you get your job?
I spent a few years working in industry in a laboratory at Mars Petcare. My next move was into higher education, where I joined the Department of Genetics at the University of Leicester as a technician. I was drawn to the role because it gave me the opportunity to continue developing my technical skills while getting involved in both research and teaching.
When an opportunity became available within the teaching team, it felt like a natural next step for me. I progressed into a lead teaching technician role, where I now support the delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate practical teaching.
What's a typical working day like?
I could spend the morning in an undergraduate practical class supporting students and teaching them how to use a particular piece of laboratory equipment or technique. Later in the day, I might prepare reagents for an upcoming practical or test out materials for an upcoming class, for example running a PCR.
There is a lot of planning and coordination involved in teaching sessions. I might be:
- allocating tasks to make sure everything is ready and the session runs smoothly
- preparing instructions for colleagues who are working with me on practical classes
- reviewing practical documentation ahead of a session.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love the freedom it gives me. There is flexibility to become involved in areas of the courses that interest me and to learn new techniques so that I can support the students.
I also enjoy supporting outreach activities, both when pupils from local schools visit the university and through events at the botanical gardens site. It's lovely being able to share science with students of all age groups.
What are the challenges?
One of the main challenges is understanding the people I work with. Within practical classes I work as part of a large extended team where people work and communicate differently, so knowing and understanding these ways of working is key.
Another challenge is managing competing priorities. I'm always looking for ways to adapt tasks or processes so we are always working efficiently.
How is your degree relevant?
My biology degree underpins all the work I do, and I'm reminded of this whenever I enter a student practical class. Also, having studied science myself helps me to understand what the students are experiencing and the challenges they might be facing when learning practical skills.
How has your role developed and what are your career ambitions?
Since joining the university my role has expanded significantly from supporting specific teaching and research activities to leading and coordinating practical teaching support across multiple modules and large cohorts of more than 400 students.
I co-chair the Mirror College Leadership team for my college, support outreach activities and co-lead CIMS-T, a UK-wide mentoring scheme for technicians working in higher education. Through these activities I support technician staff development, build my own professional network and promote the value of the work technicians do within higher education.
I have also been awarded several professional qualifications and registrations, including:
- Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
- Chartered Scientist (CSci)
- NEBOSH Health and Safety at Work Award.
What's your advice for choosing a Masters?
Think about the subject you enjoy, what skills the MSc will give you and how that fits into your future plans. How will it help you make that next move or gain that next job opportunity?
What advice can you give to others wanting to get into this job?
- Flexibility is important as technicians need to adapt to new ways and styles of working in order to perform best at their jobs.
- Practical experience is key. This can be through volunteering or shadowing a person in a laboratory role, for example.
- You need to have strong teamworking skills, as technical roles involve working with researchers, academics and professional services staff.
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