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The respondent to this survey is Gemma who is from a White British background.
| What qualifications did you hold prior to starting university? | 2 A levels plus 2 (old style) AS levels |
| What was the name of your course? | Biological Sciences |
| While at university have you worked part-time? | Yes |
| While at university have you performed any voluntary work? | Yes |
| While at university have you undertake any work experience? | Yes |
| Please give details of your experience? | DURING DEGREE
1)Volunteer Oxfam shop afternoon each week (for 2 terms)
2)ANT marketing "telemarketing research" casual afternoons over a term (crap job, gave it up)
3)4 weeks summer work experience: Mycology Section, Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew
4)Play worker, summer play-schemes
DURING PhD:
5)Demonstrating in lab practical classes
6)volunteer Rainbows leader in Girl guiding
7)senior play worker, summer play-schemes |
| How useful did you find this work experience when it came to find a job after graduating? | Work experience may have strengthened application for PhD, which I did straight after.
On job applications (after PhD), #6 and #5 (above) most useful. Got to have lots on CV though, it all helps. |
| What is your status? | In full or part time employment |
| What is the name of the organisation you are currently working for? | University of Leeds |
| What is your job title? | Director of Research Skills Training (part time) |
| What responsibilities do you hold? | I am responsible for promoting and providing training in generic skills to PhD students and Post-docs. |
| What do you enjoy the most about this job? | Independence. Something I believe in. |
| What do you enjoy the least? | Commuting to Leeds. Being totally responsible and accountable for everything I do (no team as back-up, or for support if things went wrong.) |
| What was involved in the recruitment process for this job? | Application form and covering letter, interview with panel of 5. |
| Do you feel you have a career plan? | Yes |
| If so, how does your current situation fit into this plan? | Pretty good: I actually have several part-time jobs, and am gradually dropping some as others expand. Moving through a variety of educational jobs (Environmental Education Visits leader for Peak District; Associate Lecturer for Open University; Assistant Advisor in Student Services, Open Uni.)... towards more of a staff development role. |
| When did you start thinking about what you wanted to do after graduation? Thinking back did you leave enough time for this? | From first degree, went straight to PhD. Went to appropriate talks so knew when to write letters to departments I was interested in.
From PhD, applied for jobs (unsuccessfully) which interested me from March of final year (actually completed PhD in November that year). Took shop job for 6 months after completed, during which time applied and got Environmental Education job and Associate Lecturer job. |
| Did you experience any difficulties when it came to finding work after graduation? If yes, please describe some of the problems you faced? | Finding work which interested me! Not into a "standard" job. Seemed to get interviews quickly, and be lucky: I only applied for what I really wanted, made a good job of the application, and then mostly got the jobs. |
| What do you wish you had known before you started applying for jobs? | Don't take on 5 different contracts at once - you'll have no social life!! But I did that for 6 months to benefit longer term career. (Hopefully.) |
| What advice would you give to someone applying for jobs now? | Target your effort to what you're interested in. Make sure you have some relevant experience that demonstrates relevant skills. |
| Would you have done anything differently while at university to prepare for your career? Please give details. | Maybe not done a PhD?... but then things would be very differnt. |
| How do you feel your degree has prepared you for today's labour market? | Well, thanks. |
| What impact did your course have on your career aspirations? | Undecided still |
| Did you make use of the careers service at university? | Yes |
| If yes, please describe how you used the careers service. | Pretty good: I actually have several part-time jobs, and am gradually dropping some as others expand. Moving through a variety of educational jobs (Environmental Education Visits leader for Peak District; Associate Lecturer for Open University; Assistant Advisor in Student Services, Open Uni.)... towards more of a staff development role.,I went to the resource library and attended workshops on Myers Briggs type personality testing. |
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