What Do
Life Science
Graduates Do?
Suzanne Creeber
Careers Consultant
SESSION OUTLINE
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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?
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Dental hygienist  GRAD JOB
Veterinary nurse  NON GRAD
Marketing administrator  NON GRAD
Comedian  GRAD JOB
Novelist  GRAD JOB
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”
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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
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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?
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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
Student Information Services Ltd
website with useful info and stats
Russell Group guide to
post 16 study
Going to University
Graduate careers site with
“options with your subject”
Pharmaceutical careers
information site
Science Careers Pathways,
including life, industry and
nuclear
Careers Resources plus
advice on Going to University
Thanks for listening
www.manchester.ac.uk/careers
www.ls.manchester.ac.uk/undergraduate/