|
«Back
The respondent to this survey is Robert who is from a White British background.
| What qualifications did you hold prior to starting university? | 12 GSCE's (9A, 2B, 1C)
4 A-levels (2B, 2C |
| What was the name of your course? | Chemistry - MChem/Chem |
| While at university have you worked part-time? | No |
| While at university have you performed any voluntary work? | No |
| While at university have you undertake any work experience? | Yes |
| Please give details of your experience? | During summer vacation, I worked for a chemical company called Synthomer near Harlow. |
| How useful did you find this work experience when it came to find a job after graduating? | Not very useful regarding my desired career path, useful to see how large businesses are run. |
| What is your status? | In full or part time employment |
| What is your job title? | Chemist |
| What responsibilities do you hold? | None to speak off |
| What do you enjoy the most about this job? | Synthesising new and important chemicals for use in drug development. |
| What do you enjoy the least? | Paper work |
| What was involved in the recruitment process for this job? | 2 interviews, the first involving a basic chemistry quiz followed by psycometric tests and the second involving a more indepth HR interview followed by a more complicated technical interview with several senior chemists |
| Do you feel you have a career plan? | Yes |
| If so, how does your current situation fit into this plan? | I am at the bottom of the ladder but at least I am on the first rung, which is normally the hardest part |
| When did you start thinking about what you wanted to do after graduation? Thinking back did you leave enough time for this? | I started to think about the job about a year before graduation and my finals. The chemistry job market is tough so interviews begin about a year before you are required. |
| Did you experience any difficulties when it came to finding work after graduation? If yes, please describe some of the problems you faced? | Yes, but onyl due to the lack of jobs in the pharmaceutical industry at the present time |
| What do you wish you had known before you started applying for jobs? | Interview techniques |
| What advice would you give to someone applying for jobs now? | Practice mock interviews and also prepare answers to the questions you know will be asked. Do not just read word for word, but know what you are going to say with bullet points |
| Would you have done anything differently while at university to prepare for your career? Please give details. | Work a little harder on the subjects that I was worst at |
| How do you feel your degree has prepared you for today's labour market? | It has given me a bigger boost for the future than someone starting straight from school |
| What impact did your course have on your career aspirations? | Affirmed job choice |
| Did you make use of the careers service at university? | No |
«Back
|
